With a composite score of 64.6, Parmer County outpaces the national median of 50.0 by 29%. This places the county in the top third of US counties for overall livability, driven largely by exceptional housing affordability.
2 / 5
Slightly below Texas average
Parmer's 64.6 score sits just below Texas's state average of 66.8, ranking it in the middle tier among Texas counties. The county performs competitively in a state known for affordable housing.
3 / 5
Affordable housing is the standout strength
Parmer excels with a cost score of 78.5, reflecting median home values of $127,300 and median rent of $1,015/month—well below Texas norms. The effective tax rate of 1.566% is reasonable, supporting a balanced household budget.
4 / 5
Income levels lag significantly
An income score of just 27.9 reveals that median household income of $68,164 falls below state and regional expectations. Safety, health, schools, and environmental data are not yet available, limiting the full livability picture.
5 / 5
Best for budget-conscious rural families
Parmer County suits families prioritizing low housing costs and manageable taxes over high incomes. This is ideal rural living for retirees, remote workers, or those seeking a simpler pace of life.
With a composite score of 64.6, Parmer County outpaces the national median of 50.0 by 29%. This places the county in the top third of US counties for overall livability, driven largely by exceptional housing affordability.
Slightly below Texas average
Parmer's 64.6 score sits just below Texas's state average of 66.8, ranking it in the middle tier among Texas counties. The county performs competitively in a state known for affordable housing.
Affordable housing is the standout strength
Parmer excels with a cost score of 78.5, reflecting median home values of $127,300 and median rent of $1,015/month—well below Texas norms. The effective tax rate of 1.566% is reasonable, supporting a balanced household budget.
Income levels lag significantly
An income score of just 27.9 reveals that median household income of $68,164 falls below state and regional expectations. Safety, health, schools, and environmental data are not yet available, limiting the full livability picture.
Best for budget-conscious rural families
Parmer County suits families prioritizing low housing costs and manageable taxes over high incomes. This is ideal rural living for retirees, remote workers, or those seeking a simpler pace of life.
Score breakdown
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Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Parmer County's 1.566% effective rate results in a median property tax of $1,994, falling below the national median of $2,690 despite its above-average rate. The discrepancy reflects Parmer's relatively modest home values in the Texas Panhandle.
Parmer ranks among Texas's highest rates
At 1.566%, Parmer County's effective rate exceeds Texas's 1.276% state average by 22%—making it one of the highest-tax counties in the state. The $1,994 median tax edges slightly below the state median of $2,193 only because of lower property values.
Priciest option in the Panhandle
Parmer's 1.566% rate significantly exceeds neighboring Ochiltree (1.402%) and Oldham (1.297%), making it the highest-tax county in this Panhandle cluster. Despite lower home values, the effective rate burden is noticeably heavier.
Parmer County tax estimate
On the median home value of $127,300, residents pay approximately $1,994 in annual property taxes. With mortgage fees included, the bill rises to $3,584.
Challenge your appraisal in Parmer
Parmer County's high effective rate makes it especially important for homeowners to verify their appraisal is accurate and fair. Contact the county appraisal district to request a review and file an appeal if you believe your assessment is out of line with nearby properties.
Parmer County renters spend 17.9% of income on housing, just under 1 percentage point above the national average. The panhandle county's modest median income of $68,164 means this ratio, while reasonable, requires careful budgeting.
Close to Texas state affordability average
Parmer's 17.9% rent-to-income ratio sits just 0.2 percentage points below Texas's 18.1% state average, making it representative of typical Texas housing burden. Median rent of $1,015 is only 5.4% above the state median of $963.
Moderate costs in panhandle tier
Parmer's $1,015 rent falls between Ochiltree's budget $905 and Oldham's $1,125, positioning it as the panhandle's middle-ground option. Its 17.9% burden is better than Palo Pinto County's 18.9% despite similar income levels.
Housing takes ~18% of gross income
Parmer's median household earns $68,164 yearly and dedicates roughly $12,180 to rent annually. Homeowners spend just $754 monthly on ownership costs—merely 13.3% of income—showing that buyers here enjoy notably better affordability than renters.
Solid option for panhandle relocation
Parmer County works well if you're relocating to the Texas panhandle and value balanced affordability over minimum costs. Renters from higher-burden areas (like Nueces at 22.3%) could save $200+ monthly, while buyers benefit from sub-$130,000 median home values and low ownership ratios.
Parmer County's median household income of $68,164 falls slightly below the U.S. median of $74,755, a gap of about $6,600. Despite this, Parmer ranks comfortably above many rural Texas counties and maintains solid household financial standing compared to national averages.
Above-Average Earnings Statewide
At $68,164, Parmer County's median household income exceeds Texas's state average of $64,737 by roughly $3,400. This positions Parmer in the upper-middle tier of Texas counties for household earnings power.
Parmer Leads Panhandle Peers
Parmer County's $68,164 median income outpaces nearby Pecos County ($67,689) and significantly exceeds Potter County ($50,448) in the same region. The county's earning strength reflects a stable agricultural and small-business economy.
Housing Costs Stay Reasonable
With a rent-to-income ratio of 17.9%, Parmer County residents spend well below the 30% affordability benchmark, meaning housing remains genuinely affordable. At a median home value of $127,300, homeownership is within reach for median-earning households.
Build Security Through Planning
Parmer County's healthy income-to-housing ratio creates room for savings and investment. Consider automating monthly contributions to retirement accounts or building an emergency fund—your affordable cost of living gives you a real advantage.
At 75.7 years, Parmer County residents live longer than the U.S. average of 76.4 years—nearly matching national benchmarks despite rural geography. Yet 27.2% report poor or fair health, above the national rate, suggesting that longevity masks underlying wellness challenges.
Better than Texas average
Parmer's 75.7-year life expectancy runs 1.4 years ahead of the Texas average of 74.3 years, placing the county in the healthier tier statewide. The county also beats Texas on uninsured rates, with 24.4% uninsured versus the state average of 19.8%.
Healthier than Pecos, trailing Randall
Parmer residents live 3.2 years longer than Pecos County (72.5 years) and report better health than Potter County's 28.6% poor/fair rate. Yet Randall County (76.3 years) edges out Parmer on life expectancy, and its 13.0% uninsured rate is far lower.
Limited doctors, high uninsurance
With only 10 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Parmer faces acute shortages—less than one-fourth of Potter County's 88 per 100K. Over one in four Parmer residents (24.4%) lack health insurance, straining access to preventive care.
Take the next step in Parmer
If you're among Parmer's uninsured, marketplace plans and Medicaid expansions can close gaps in coverage. Visit healthcare.gov or contact a local health navigator to explore options that fit your family's needs.
Parmer County's composite risk score of 81.81 places it well above the national average, marking it as a relatively moderate-risk area. This score reflects a mix of hazards, with wildfire and tornado risks particularly elevated compared to most U.S. counties.
Above Texas average on the risk scale
With a composite score of 81.81, Parmer County exceeds Texas's state average of 49.00, ranking it among the higher-risk counties statewide. This elevated risk is driven primarily by wildfire hazards and tornado exposure.
High-risk panhandle county compared to peers
Parmer's risk profile (81.81) is substantially higher than neighboring Presidio County (10.24) to the southwest and comparable to fellow panhandle counties Randall (86.77) and Potter (90.49). The county's isolation in the northern plains amplifies exposure to wind-driven threats.
Wildfire and tornado dominate the hazard profile
Parmer faces exceptional wildfire risk (67.18) and notable tornado risk (41.95), making these dual threats the primary natural disaster concerns for residents. Hurricane risk (40.97) remains moderate but more distant than the immediate wildfire and severe weather threats.
Secure comprehensive coverage today
Parmer County residents should prioritize wind and hail insurance to guard against tornado damage, plus wildfire coverage if they live in at-risk areas. Standard homeowners policies may not cover all storm-related damage, so review your policy specifics with your agent.