Midland County

Texas · TX

#212 in Texas
57
County Score

County Report Card

About Midland County, Texas

Midland outpaces national baseline

Midland County scores 60.7 out of 100, significantly above the national median of 50.0. The county ranks in the top 61st percentile nationally, offering above-average livability.

Below Texas average livability

Midland's score of 60.7 falls short of Texas's state average of 66.8 by 6.1 points. Despite this gap, the county remains competitive within the broader state context.

Strong incomes and low taxes

Midland leads with an Income Score of 44.7 and median household income of $93,984, the highest in this county group. The Tax Score of 66.8 and 1.262% effective rate offer additional financial advantage.

High housing costs and limited data

The Cost Score of 60.2 reflects elevated housing expenses, with median rents at $1,383 and median home values at $293,000. Safety, health, schools, and environmental data gaps prevent a complete livability assessment.

Perfect for high-earning professionals

Midland attracts well-compensated workers and families with strong household incomes who can absorb higher housing costs. The county excels in earning power and tax efficiency while sacrificing some housing affordability.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax66.8Cost60.2SafetyComing SoonHealth59.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome44.7Risk18.8WaterComing Soon
🏛66.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠60.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼44.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
59.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
18.8
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Midland County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Midland County

via TaxByCounty

Midland's rate slightly below national median

Midland County's effective tax rate of 1.262% sits just below the national median of 1.048%, making it a near-average tax jurisdiction nationally. With a median home value of $293,000—above the national median of $281,900—residents pay median property taxes of $3,697, well above the national median of $2,690.

Right at Texas average

Midland County's 1.262% effective rate closely mirrors the Texas state average of 1.276%, placing it squarely in the middle of state rankings. The median property tax of $3,697 is substantially higher than the state median of $2,193, driven by higher home values and stronger property markets.

Moderate rate, premium home values

Midland County's 1.262% rate ranks lower than Medina County (1.310%) and Menard County (1.659%), but its much higher median home value of $293,000 results in larger annual tax bills. The county's stronger real estate market is evident compared to most neighboring rural counties.

Premium market, premium taxes

On a typical $293,000 Midland County home, annual property taxes reach approximately $3,697 before mortgage deductions. Homeowners with mortgages face an estimated $4,517 annual obligation, reflecting both the county's rate and its robust housing market.

Review assessments in strong markets

Midland County's competitive real estate market can sometimes lead to overassessed property values on tax rolls, even in relatively stable markets. Homeowners should request a professional assessment review if they believe their tax basis doesn't align with recent comparable sales in the area.

Cost of Living in Midland County

via CostByCounty

Midland's income makes housing affordable

Midland County's median household income of $93,984 is 26% above the national average, giving residents strong purchasing power despite housing costs that rank among Texas's highest. At 17.7% rent-to-income, Midland sits just below the state average of 18.1%, demonstrating how high incomes offset premium prices.

Highest incomes, highest prices

Midland ranks as Texas's most expensive housing market by absolute dollars, with median rents of $1,383 and home values of $293,000 fueled by oil and gas prosperity. Yet strong incomes make affordability ratios competitive with slower-growing counties, creating a uniquely balanced market.

West Texas income powerhouse

Midland's $93,984 median income dwarfs Mitchell County's $56,033 and McMullen's $45,833, while housing costs remain proportionally manageable. This income advantage reflects the region's energy sector dominance, setting Midland apart as a high-cost, high-opportunity market.

Premium prices, premium paychecks

Renters allocate 17.7% of income to $1,383 rent, while homeowners spend roughly 19% on $1,503 monthly ownership costs. The slight mortgage premium reflects newer or larger homes, yet both remain sustainable due to Midland's elevated income base.

For high earners seeking opportunity

Midland attracts professionals in energy, healthcare, and business services where six-figure incomes are common. If your earning potential aligns with the region's job market, housing affordability follows—but on a high-cost, high-income ladder.

Income & Jobs in Midland County

via IncomeByCounty

Midland Far Exceeds National Income

Midland County's median household income of $93,984 is 25.7% above the U.S. median of $74,755, reflecting the wealth generated by the Permian Basin oil and gas economy. The county ranks among the highest-income regions in the nation, demonstrating exceptional economic performance.

Texas's Income Leader

Midland's median household income of $93,984 exceeds Texas's state average of $64,737 by 45.2%, ranking it among the top-earning counties statewide. Per capita income of $48,908 is 47.2% above state average, indicating both household and individual prosperity throughout the county.

Dominant Economic Power in Region

Midland's $93,984 median income vastly outpaces all regional peers: nearly double McMullen County ($45,833) and Menard County ($48,191), and significantly ahead of Medina County ($73,462). The county's energy-based economy creates a distinct income advantage across West Texas.

Strong Earnings Support Homeownership

Midland's rent-to-income ratio of 17.7% is among the lowest in the region, showing renters easily afford housing on local wages. Median home values of $293,000 are accessible for households earning the county median, supported by the area's robust employment market.

Aggressive Wealth-Building Opportunity

With a median household income of $93,984 and affordable housing, Midland residents enjoy exceptional capacity for wealth accumulation through diversified investments, retirement savings, and real estate. The combination of high earnings and strong job security creates ideal conditions for building generational wealth.

Health in Midland County

via HealthByCounty

Midland leads on health metrics

At 75.5 years, Midland County's life expectancy outpaces the U.S. average of 74.5 years, and the county's 19.2% poor/fair health rate is very close to the national average of 18%. Midland residents enjoy both longevity and relatively low chronic disease burden compared to national norms—a sign of effective health management and preventive care. This strong performance reflects the county's economic vitality and health infrastructure.

Top performer in Texas health rankings

Midland's 75.5-year life expectancy significantly outperforms Texas's 74.3-year average, ranking among the state's healthiest counties. The county's 18.9% uninsured rate is slightly below Texas's 19.8%, meaning more residents have financial protection against medical emergencies. Together, these metrics place Midland solidly in the upper tier of Texas health outcomes.

Midland shines in West Texas region

Midland's 75.5-year life expectancy and 19.2% poor/fair health rate both outperform nearby Mitchell County (73.3 life expectancy, 26.9% poor/fair rate), reflecting Midland's stronger economic base and health infrastructure. The county's 18.9% uninsured rate is lower than Mitchell's 16.7%, though both are competitive regionally. Midland's advantage stems from both better coverage and stronger health system capacity.

Moderate access in oil boom county

Midland offers 38 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—solid for a West Texas county—and 100 mental health providers per 100,000, showing commitment to behavioral health services. The county's relatively low uninsured rate (18.9%) means most residents can afford to visit these providers, reducing barriers to care. Midland's health profile benefits from its economic growth and ability to attract healthcare professionals.

Review your coverage this year

Nearly 3,600 Midland County residents lack health insurance despite the county's economic strength—if you're among them, marketplace plans and subsidies may offer affordable options. Even insured residents should review their plans during open enrollment to ensure adequate coverage for 2024. A few minutes on healthcare.gov could save your family thousands in unexpected medical costs.

Disaster Risk in Midland County

via RiskByCounty

Midland faces above-average disaster risk

Midland County's composite risk score of 81.20 significantly exceeds the national average of roughly 50, landing in the Relatively Moderate category. This Permian Basin county confronts genuine multi-hazard exposure that demands resident preparedness.

Among Texas's higher-risk counties

Midland's score of 81.20 towers above Texas's state average of 49.00, positioning it in the state's top tier of vulnerable counties. The county's composite risk is second only to McLennan in this eight-county set.

Significantly riskier than most neighbors

Midland's score of 81.20 far exceeds nearby Mitchell County (19.75) and Menard County (3.05), reflecting its exposed geographic position. Only McLennan County (91.22) faces comparable overall hazard exposure in the broader region.

Wildfire and tornado lead the threats

Wildfire risk scores 93.10 and tornado risk hits 91.44 in Midland County—both exceptionally high exposure levels. Flood risk at 80.50 adds a third serious hazard that residents must prepare for year-round.

Invest in comprehensive multi-hazard coverage

Midland residents should layer homeowners insurance with separate windstorm and flood policies to cover all major exposures. Review and test your evacuation plan twice yearly and maintain 30 feet of defensible space around your home.

ByCounty Network

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.