Madison County's composite score of 70.8 substantially surpasses the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top tier of American counties. This 42% advantage reflects strong overall livability across measurable dimensions.
2 / 5
Among Texas's best performers
Madison County scores 70.8 versus the Texas state average of 66.8, ranking it well above most Texas counties. The county consistently performs in the state's upper echelon across tracked metrics.
3 / 5
Tax-friendly with affordable housing
Madison County combines an excellent tax score of 69.8 with an effective rate of just 1.155% and a cost score of 82.4 featuring homes valued at $149,100. Renters pay only $832 monthly, making the county exceptionally affordable for both homeowners and renters.
4 / 5
Income growth remains moderate
The county's income score of 27.2 reflects a median household income of $67,128, solid but not exceptional. Safety, health, schools, and environmental data are not yet available, which could reveal additional dimensions of livability.
5 / 5
Ideal for savers seeking small-town living
Madison County appeals to families wanting to maximize savings through low taxes and housing costs while maintaining reasonable incomes. This rural county is perfect for those valuing financial security and community stability over metropolitan job markets.
Madison County's composite score of 70.8 substantially surpasses the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top tier of American counties. This 42% advantage reflects strong overall livability across measurable dimensions.
Among Texas's best performers
Madison County scores 70.8 versus the Texas state average of 66.8, ranking it well above most Texas counties. The county consistently performs in the state's upper echelon across tracked metrics.
Tax-friendly with affordable housing
Madison County combines an excellent tax score of 69.8 with an effective rate of just 1.155% and a cost score of 82.4 featuring homes valued at $149,100. Renters pay only $832 monthly, making the county exceptionally affordable for both homeowners and renters.
Income growth remains moderate
The county's income score of 27.2 reflects a median household income of $67,128, solid but not exceptional. Safety, health, schools, and environmental data are not yet available, which could reveal additional dimensions of livability.
Ideal for savers seeking small-town living
Madison County appeals to families wanting to maximize savings through low taxes and housing costs while maintaining reasonable incomes. This rural county is perfect for those valuing financial security and community stability over metropolitan job markets.
Score breakdown
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🏛69.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 1.155% effective rate, Madison County sits below the national median rate and ranks in the lower-tax half of U.S. counties. The median annual tax of $1,722 falls well short of the national median of $2,690.
Slightly below Texas state average
Madison County's 1.155% rate edges below Texas's state average of 1.276%, positioning it as a modestly lower-tax option within the state. The median tax of $1,722 trails the state median of $2,193 by about $471 annually.
Favorable rates among Central Texas peers
Madison County's 1.155% rate sits between Limestone County's 1.187% and Liberty County's 1.251%, offering competitive tax terms in the region. It ranks among the more tax-friendly options in this dataset.
What Madison County homeowners pay yearly
On a median home valued at $149,100, Madison County residents pay approximately $1,722 in annual property taxes. Including mortgage taxes, the total reaches roughly $2,513 per year.
Even low taxes benefit from verification
Madison County residents enjoy below-average tax burdens, but that doesn't mean assessments are always accurate. Check your appraisal against neighboring sales to ensure you're not paying more than your home's fair market value warrants.
Madison County residents spend 14.9% of their income on rent, well below the national affordability threshold and significantly better than the Texas state average of 18.1%. This positions Madison as one of Texas's more affordable rental markets, even as the county's median income of $67,128 trails the national median by about $7,600.
Among Texas's most affordable counties
Madison County ranks in the upper tier of Texas affordability, with a rent-to-income ratio of 14.9% that beats 80% of its peer counties statewide. The median rent of $832 per month is about 14% lower than the Texas average, making it an outlier in a state where housing costs have climbed steadily.
Cheaper than most surrounding areas
Madison's $832 median rent undercuts neighboring Marion County ($854) and significantly beats Martin County ($1,175), though it trails Mason County's exceptionally low rents. When looking at ownership, Madison's $728 monthly cost sits near the regional average, making it competitive for both renters and homebuyers.
Where your housing dollars go
A typical Madison household earning $67,128 annually devotes about $995 to housing (rent and utilities), leaving roughly $5,594 monthly for other expenses. Homeowners fare similarly, with median monthly costs of $728 consuming just 13% of household income—a healthy ratio that reflects the county's $149,100 median home value.
Consider Madison for balanced living costs
If affordable housing is your priority, Madison County delivers solid value without the density or higher costs of urban Texas counties. Compare Madison's 14.9% rent-to-income ratio against counties like Marion (21.6%) or Matagorda (21.7%) to see the real savings potential for relocating families.
At $67,128, Madison County's median household income is 10% below the national median of $74,755, reflecting a solid position within the American middle class. The county ranks above many peers nationwide while remaining below the wealthiest U.S. communities.
Exceeds Texas average by 4%
Madison County earns $67,128 versus the state average of $64,737, placing it in the upper-middle range of Texas counties. The per capita income of $26,453 runs notably below state average, suggesting wealth concentrated in fewer households.
Mid-range income in regional comparison
Madison County ($67,128) sits between Lynn County ($57,411) and Mason County ($68,750), occupying the moderate-income tier of the region. The county performs better than Matagorda ($55,174) and Maverick ($51,270) but trails Martin County's energy-driven prosperity.
Housing costs are highly affordable
Madison County's 14.9% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the best in the comparison group, well below the 20% affordability threshold. A median home value of $149,100 is very accessible to households earning the county median, freeing income for savings and investments.
Strong foundation for wealth building
Madison County's favorable housing costs create real opportunity to invest surplus income into retirement accounts and diversified portfolios. Residents should capitalize on this advantage by directing 10-15% of household income toward long-term wealth strategies.
Madison County residents average 72.8 years of life—well below the U.S. average of 74.0 years. With 23.5% reporting poor or fair health, the county exceeds the national benchmark of 17%, pointing to persistent chronic illness and lifestyle factors driving early mortality.
Uninsured rate outpaces Texas average
Madison County's life expectancy of 72.8 years falls short of Texas's 74.3-year average, while its uninsured rate of 24.3% significantly exceeds the state average of 19.8%. This combination suggests both healthcare access and affordability challenges across the county.
Severely limited provider infrastructure
Madison County has just 22 primary care providers and 22 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—among the lowest in its region. Residents often travel to neighboring counties for specialist care, creating delays and barriers that likely contribute to the elevated poor/fair health rate.
Provider shortage compounds uninsured crisis
Nearly one in four Madison County residents lack insurance, and those who are insured often struggle to find local providers willing to accept their coverage. The thin provider network means that getting timely care—even with insurance—requires patience, transportation, and often traveling out of county.
Coverage expands your care options
Madison County residents should explore Medicaid, CHIP, and marketplace insurance at healthcare.gov to reduce the uninsured rate and strengthen access to available local providers. Even with limited infrastructure, insurance opens doors to specialists and preventive services that can improve long-term health.
Madison County risks remain safely below national average
Madison County's composite risk score of 34.89 places it well below the national average, earning a "Very Low" rating despite some elevated specific hazards. The county's overall disaster risk profile is favorable compared to typical U.S. counties. However, certain individual hazards—particularly hurricane and tornado risk—deserve specific attention.
Madison ranks in the safer half of Texas counties
At 34.89, Madison County scores notably below Texas' state average of 49.00, placing it in the lower-risk tier of counties statewide. The county benefits from a position that avoids the worst tornado alleys and wildfire zones that plague other Texas regions. However, its proximity to the Gulf makes hurricane risk a meaningful factor.
Comparable risk to Marion County, higher than Mason
Madison County's risk profile (34.89) closely mirrors Marion County (29.17) while exceeding safer neighbors like Mason County (10.97) and McCulloch County (10.05). The county sits in the middle range for the East Texas region, with moderately elevated hurricane and tornado exposure. Its inland position moderates coastal flooding threats that impact Gulf-facing counties.
Hurricane and tornado threats dominate Madison's hazards
Hurricane risk reaches 79.10 in Madison County—exceptionally high and a major concern for coastal-adjacent East Texas residents. Tornado risk follows at 55.44, representing a significant severe weather threat during spring months. Wildfire (47.84) and flood (23.82) risks remain secondary but warrant baseline preparedness.
Prioritize hurricane and tornado coverage now
Madison County residents must secure comprehensive homeowners insurance with explicit windstorm and hail coverage to address hurricane and tornado threats. Consider a separate windstorm policy if standard coverage limits are insufficient, given the county's elevated hurricane exposure of 79.10. Safe room construction or basement reinforcement should be evaluated for family safety during severe weather events.