Nueces County scores 58.1, exceeding the national median of 50.0 by over 16%, though it lags its own state average. The county represents a middle-ground livability profile where some factors shine while others need attention.
2 / 5
Below average within Texas
Ranking below Texas's state average of 66.8, Nueces places in the lower half of Texas counties on overall livability. However, the county's score remains respectable given its larger urban character and coastal location.
3 / 5
Moderate affordability and decent income
Nueces balances affordability with earnings potential, offering a median household income of $66,021 and a cost score of 68.2. With median rent at $1,224 and homes around $194,700, the county serves working families seeking coastal access.
4 / 5
Taxes and income growth need work
The county's effective tax rate of 1.679% ranks among Texas's higher burdens, and income potential remains modest relative to larger metropolitan areas. Critical data on safety, health, schools, and environmental quality are not yet available for full assessment.
5 / 5
Appeals to middle-income coastal seekers
Nueces County attracts families and workers valuing coastal living and moderate earnings over rock-bottom costs. This county suits those willing to accept higher taxes in exchange for Gulf access and a more urban, established community.
Nueces County scores 58.1, exceeding the national median of 50.0 by over 16%, though it lags its own state average. The county represents a middle-ground livability profile where some factors shine while others need attention.
Below average within Texas
Ranking below Texas's state average of 66.8, Nueces places in the lower half of Texas counties on overall livability. However, the county's score remains respectable given its larger urban character and coastal location.
Moderate affordability and decent income
Nueces balances affordability with earnings potential, offering a median household income of $66,021 and a cost score of 68.2. With median rent at $1,224 and homes around $194,700, the county serves working families seeking coastal access.
Taxes and income growth need work
The county's effective tax rate of 1.679% ranks among Texas's higher burdens, and income potential remains modest relative to larger metropolitan areas. Critical data on safety, health, schools, and environmental quality are not yet available for full assessment.
Appeals to middle-income coastal seekers
Nueces County attracts families and workers valuing coastal living and moderate earnings over rock-bottom costs. This county suits those willing to accept higher taxes in exchange for Gulf access and a more urban, established community.
Score breakdown
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🏛55.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 1.679%, Nueces County's effective tax rate is 31% above the national median of 1.276%, ranking it in the highest tier nationally. The Corpus Christi area homeowners face one of America's heaviest property tax loads.
Texas's highest-tax county in this group
Nueces County's 1.679% rate exceeds Texas's state average of 1.276% by 0.403 percentage points, the largest gap among these eight counties. Nueces ranks among Texas's highest-taxing counties.
Nueces significantly outpaces all regional peers
At 1.679%, Nueces far exceeds Moore (1.526%), Nolan (1.511%), Morris (1.178%), Motley (1.097%), Nacogdoches (0.925%), and Newton (1.030%). Nueces carries the heaviest property tax burden in its broader region.
Median annual tax bill reaches $3,268
With a median home value of $194,700, Nueces County homeowners pay approximately $3,268 annually in property taxes. This is $578 above the national median tax bill, despite comparable home values.
Assessment appeals can yield substantial savings
Nueces County homeowners should verify their assessed values match market reality, as overassessment is common in high-tax areas. A successful appeal could save hundreds of dollars per year.
Nueces County renters spend 22.3% of income on housing, above the national norm. That's roughly 3 percentage points higher than the typical American household, signaling tighter affordability for renters in this coastal Texas county.
Among the pricier Texas counties
Nueces County's rent-to-income ratio of 22.3% ranks it among Texas's least affordable counties, well above the state average of 18.1%. Median rent here is $1,224 monthly—27% higher than Texas's median of $963.
Costlier than most Gulf Coast peers
Renters in Orange County next door pay just $1,018 monthly versus Nueces's $1,224, and face a lower 16.6% rent-to-income burden. Nueces sits in a tighter housing market relative to its immediate neighbors.
Housing claims over 1/5 of income
The median Nueces household earns $66,021 yearly but dedicates $14,688 annually to rent alone—22.3% of income. Homeowners fare slightly better, spending $1,170 monthly on ownership costs, though that still represents 21.2% of gross income.
Relocate for better housing balance?
If housing costs are squeezing your budget, Orange County and Parmer County both offer notably lower rent-to-income ratios around 17-18%. Exploring inland Texas alternatives could free up thousands annually while keeping you in the state.
Nueces County's median household income of $66,021 sits 12% below the U.S. median of $74,755, reflecting a mixed regional economy anchored by port activity and energy. The county performs better than many rural Texas areas but lags more affluent urban centers.
Slightly above Texas average
Nueces County exceeds Texas's median household income average of $64,737 by $1,284, placing it in the middle tier of state counties. This positioning reflects the county's economic diversity and role as a regional commercial hub.
Competitive within the broader region
Nueces County's $66,021 median edges out Panola County ($62,593) but trails Orange County ($73,372) and Oldham County ($76,402). Income variation across neighboring counties underscores regional economic differences driven by industry mix and population trends.
Housing costs are manageable
Nueces County's rent-to-income ratio of 22.3% sits comfortably below the 30% affordability threshold, indicating sustainable housing costs for most households. The median home value of $194,700 remains accessible for workers earning the county median.
Leverage regional growth opportunities
Nueces County residents should explore employer 401(k) matching and tax-advantaged savings as the county's port and energy sectors create stable career paths. Real estate appreciation in the region rewards early homebuyers and long-term investors.
Nueces County residents average 74.6 years of life—beating the U.S. average of 78.9 years by 4.3 years. Yet with 27.6% reporting poor or fair health, significant health gaps remain within the county.
Nueces leads Texas in life expectancy
At 74.6 years, Nueces County exceeds Texas's state average of 74.3 years, placing it among the healthier counties in the state. This edge reflects strong healthcare infrastructure and community health investments.
Nueces has the strongest primary care access
Nueces County boasts 79 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—well above Nolan County's 48 and Palo Pinto's 49. With 164 mental health providers per 100K, it also outpaces most neighboring counties in behavioral health support.
1 in 5 Nueces residents lack health coverage
Nueces's 19.4% uninsured rate sits near the state average of 19.8%, affecting roughly 1 in 5 residents. Better primary care access helps the insured, but gaps in coverage still delay care for thousands.
Explore health insurance coverage options now
Nearly 1 in 5 Nueces residents go without insurance—coverage gaps that compound over time. Call 211 Texas or visit a local community health center to find plans and programs tailored to your situation.
At 96.63, Nueces County's composite risk score ranks among the nation's most hazardous counties, earning a Relatively High rating. This score is nearly double the Texas state average of 49.00, reflecting extraordinary exposure across multiple disaster types.
Among Texas's riskiest counties
Nueces ranks in the top tier of risk statewide, driven by extreme hurricane, tornado, and flood exposure. The county's 96.63 score places it in the most vulnerable category across Texas, making disaster preparedness and insurance critical for residents.
Higher risk than coastal Texas peers
Nueces (96.63) significantly outpaces Orange County (85.91) and most inland neighbors in overall risk. Its unique position on the Gulf Coast drives hurricane risk to 98.58—among the highest in the nation—making it a true outlier in the region.
Hurricane and tornado dominate the forecast
Hurricane risk soars to 98.58, while tornado risk reaches 96.12, making these dual threats existential for Nueces County property owners. Flood risk also sits dangerously high at 93.29, creating a triple threat that affects virtually every corner of the county every storm season.
Hurricane and flood coverage are essential
Standard homeowners insurance does not cover hurricane or flood damage—purchase these as separate policies immediately. For Nueces County, robust hurricane coverage with strong wind deductibles and a separate flood insurance policy through the National Flood Insurance Program are non-negotiable investments in your family's security.