McCulloch County's composite score of 67.2 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 34%, placing it in the upper half of American counties. This reflects above-average livability relative to national standards.
2 / 5
Slightly above Texas state average
McCulloch County scores 67.2 compared to the Texas average of 66.8, placing it marginally above the state median. It ranks in the middle tier among Texas counties in this analysis.
3 / 5
Excellent housing affordability
McCulloch County delivers a cost score of 82.4 with median home values at just $104,400—the lowest among these eight counties—and rent at $838 monthly. This exceptional housing accessibility benefits both renters and homebuyers.
4 / 5
Limited income growth and higher taxes
The county's income score of 17.3 reflects a median household income of $51,919, among the lowest in this group, paired with a 1.375% effective tax rate above most peers. Complete data for safety, health, schools, and risk assessment are unavailable.
5 / 5
Ideal for retirees on fixed incomes
McCulloch County appeals to retirees, remote workers, and budget-conscious families seeking rock-bottom housing costs in rural Central Texas. The lowest home values and reasonable rents make it one of the most affordable options for those with modest financial resources.
McCulloch County's composite score of 67.2 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 34%, placing it in the upper half of American counties. This reflects above-average livability relative to national standards.
Slightly above Texas state average
McCulloch County scores 67.2 compared to the Texas average of 66.8, placing it marginally above the state median. It ranks in the middle tier among Texas counties in this analysis.
Excellent housing affordability
McCulloch County delivers a cost score of 82.4 with median home values at just $104,400—the lowest among these eight counties—and rent at $838 monthly. This exceptional housing accessibility benefits both renters and homebuyers.
Limited income growth and higher taxes
The county's income score of 17.3 reflects a median household income of $51,919, among the lowest in this group, paired with a 1.375% effective tax rate above most peers. Complete data for safety, health, schools, and risk assessment are unavailable.
Ideal for retirees on fixed incomes
McCulloch County appeals to retirees, remote workers, and budget-conscious families seeking rock-bottom housing costs in rural Central Texas. The lowest home values and reasonable rents make it one of the most affordable options for those with modest financial resources.
Score breakdown
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🏛63.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
McCulloch's rate exceeds national and state medians
At 1.375%, McCulloch's effective tax rate ranks above the national median of 1.276%, placing it in the nation's higher-tax tier. The median tax of $1,435 reflects lower-than-average home values, offsetting the county's elevated rate.
McCulloch ranks 8% above Texas average
McCulloch's 1.375% effective rate surpasses the Texas state average of 1.276%, situating it among the state's higher-taxed counties. The median property tax of $1,435 falls below the state median of $2,193 due to McCulloch's modest median home value of $104,400.
McCulloch ties for elevated regional rates
McCulloch's 1.375% rate matches Maverick's burden and trails only McMullen (1.992%), making it one of the region's steeper tax environments. It significantly outpaces the lighter-taxed counties of Marion, Mason, and Martin.
Median McCulloch homeowner pays $1,435 yearly
On McCulloch's median home value of $104,400, residents pay roughly $1,435 in annual property taxes—approximately $120 per month. Including mortgage and other tax obligations, the total reaches $1,703 per year.
McCulloch homeowners should review assessments annually
Higher tax rates make assessment accuracy even more important—a small overvaluation compounds quickly. McCulloch residents can appeal their property values to the appraisal district and should do so if they suspect inflated assessments.
McCulloch County renters spend 19.4% of their income on housing—above the Texas state average of 18.1%—while earning $51,919, well below the national median. The $838 median rent is moderate, but the county's limited income base creates genuine affordability strain.
Below-average affordability statewide
McCulloch County's 19.4% rent-to-income ratio ranks in the lower-affordability half of Texas counties, signaling moderate but persistent housing cost challenges. The county's below-average incomes are the primary driver of this affordability pressure.
Mid-range rents on limited incomes
McCulloch's $838 median rent falls between Madison County ($832) and Marion County ($854), but the income base of $51,919 is among the lowest in the region. Homeownership carries lower relative costs, with a median monthly payment of $716 and an affordable median home value of $104,400—the cheapest homes among its peers.
Housing claims nearly one-fifth of income
A typical McCulloch household earning $51,919 annually devotes roughly $1,005 to housing, consuming 23% of gross income. Homeowners shoulder similar burdens, with $716 monthly costs representing 16% of income, making both renting and buying challenging for lower-wage workers.
McCulloch offers cheapest homes, tight budgets
If buying, McCulloch's $104,400 median home value is the region's most affordable, though your budget will still feel tight at 16% of income. Renters should compare McCulloch's 19.4% rent-to-income ratio against Madison County (14.9%) to understand the true cost difference.
At $51,919, McCulloch County's median household income trails the national median of $74,755 by 30%, placing it among lower-income U.S. counties. This reflects rural Texas economic patterns of limited diversification and stagnant wage growth.
Significantly below Texas average
McCulloch County earns $51,919 versus the state average of $64,737, a 20% shortfall positioning it in the lower half of Texas counties. The per capita income of $30,468 trails state average, indicating constrained earning potential across occupations.
Lower-income tier of region
McCulloch County ($51,919) ranks seventh among eight counties, above only Maverick ($51,270) and Marion ($47,447). The county's $5,500 gap versus Lynn County ($57,411) underscores struggling rural Central Texas economy.
Housing costs manageable but tight
McCulloch County's 19.4% rent-to-income ratio sits near the upper affordability threshold, with housing costs consuming nearly one-fifth of median earnings. The median home value of $104,400 is relatively affordable, but leaves limited room in household budgets for other priorities.
Build wealth through modest discipline
McCulloch County residents should establish automatic transfers of even $30-50 monthly into dedicated savings accounts to build financial discipline. Exploring employer 401(k) matches and IRA options provides tax advantages that amplify modest contributions over time.
McCulloch County residents live to 71.1 years—2.9 years below the U.S. average of 74.0 years. With 24.1% reporting poor or fair health compared to the national 17% benchmark, the county reflects above-average chronic disease burden and limited wellness resources.
Significantly below Texas average lifespan
McCulloch County's 71.1-year life expectancy falls 3.2 years short of Texas's 74.3-year average, while its 22.3% uninsured rate exceeds the state average of 19.8%. Both metrics indicate entrenched healthcare access and affordability challenges in this rural community.
Modest primary care, sparse mental health
McCulloch County has 40 primary care providers and 27 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—moderate capacity for primary care but limited behavioral health support. The mental health provider gap is particularly concerning given the elevated poor/fair health rate.
Insurance gaps coincide with disease burden
With 77.7% of residents insured, coverage is relatively stable, yet the 24.1% poor/fair health rate and low life expectancy suggest that available providers are overwhelmed or that residents lack transportation and health literacy support. Mental health services are particularly undersupplied relative to community need.
Close gaps, strengthen mental health access
McCulloch County residents should enroll uninsured family members at healthcare.gov, then advocate for expanded mental health services through county health commissioners and state legislators. Even with moderate insurance coverage, expanding behavioral health capacity is urgent to address the poor health outcomes.
McCulloch County's composite risk score of 10.05 places it among the lowest-risk counties in the United States, well below the national average. The county's "Very Low" rating reflects exceptional safety across most natural hazard categories. This extraordinary favorable profile makes McCulloch County one of America's most secure locations for residents and property owners.
Texas' safest or near-safest county overall
McCulloch County ranks as one of Texas' lowest-risk counties with a score of 10.05, dramatically below the state average of 49.00. The county's position in the Hill Country avoids Atlantic hurricane paths, tornado corridors, and major seismic zones that threaten other Texas regions. This geographic advantage creates unparalleled disaster safety within the state.
Tied with Mason County as safest in region
McCulloch County (10.05) ranks alongside Mason County (10.97) as the two safest counties in West Texas and the Hill Country region. Martin County (19.97) follows as the next-safest option, with Lynn County (23.00) completing the low-risk quartet. McCulloch's exceptional safety stands in stark contrast to higher-risk South Texas and coastal counties.
Wildfire is the only meaningful hazard
Wildfire risk (69.34) is McCulloch County's sole significant natural hazard concern, driven by Hill Country brush and grasslands. All other hazards measure exceptionally low: tornado (29.48), hurricane (30.62), flood (16.83), and earthquake (6.04). This narrow risk profile greatly simplifies disaster preparedness compared to multi-hazard counties.
Wildfire defense is your main insurance need
Homeowners should implement wildfire-defensible space with cleared brush, fire-resistant landscaping, and hardened roofing, addressing the 69.34 wildfire risk. Standard homeowners insurance covering basic wind and weather is more than adequate for the county's minimal tornado and hurricane threats. Flood and earthquake insurance are unnecessary for nearly all McCulloch County properties given their exceptionally low risk scores.