CountyScore

Pecos County

Texas · TX

#77 in Texas
65.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Pecos County, Texas

Pecos outperforms US livability median

Pecos County's composite score of 70.8 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 42%, placing it in the top quartile nationwide. The county's strong economic fundamentals and affordability drive this above-average ranking.

Above-average performer in Texas

With a score of 70.8, Pecos ranks above Texas's state average of 66.8, securing its place among the better-performing counties across the state. It stands out particularly in cost and tax dimensions.

Exceptional affordability and low taxes

Pecos shines with a cost score of 79.8 and a tax score of 73.2—both among the highest in this comparison. An effective tax rate of just 1.034% and median home value of $142,900 make this county exceptionally budget-friendly.

Income growth is a clear weakness

An income score of 27.6 reflects a median household income of $67,689, indicating limited earning potential for residents. Health, safety, school, and environmental data remain unavailable, leaving some livability factors unmeasured.

Ideal for frugal buyers in West Texas

Pecos County appeals to people seeking maximum purchasing power and minimal tax burden, particularly those in oil, energy, or remote work sectors. It's perfect for value-conscious families willing to embrace a sparse, rural West Texas lifestyle.

Score breakdown

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

Tax73.2Cost79.8SafetyComing SoonHealth47SchoolsComing SoonIncome27.6Risk74.9WaterComing Soon
🏛73.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠79.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼27.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤47
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡74.9
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Pecos County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Garfield County
Colorado
65.2
Median income: $86,172
Effingham County
Georgia
65.2
Median income: $85,465
Kauai County
Hawaii
65.2
Median income: $93,612
Alexander County
Illinois
65.2
Median income: $43,523
Christian County
Illinois
65.2
Median income: $59,253

Deep Dives

Pecos County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Pecos County

via TaxByCounty

Pecos County: low-tax West Texas

Pecos County's 1.034% effective rate generates a median property tax of $1,477, well below the national median of $2,690. This places the West Texas county in the bottom 20% nationally for property tax burden.

Below Texas average across the board

Pecos's 1.034% effective rate sits comfortably below Texas's 1.276% state average, ranking it among the state's most affordable counties for property owners. The $1,477 median tax is 33% lower than the state median of $2,193.

Best rates in West Texas

Pecos County's 1.034% rate is the second-lowest in this analysis after Panola (0.899%), reflecting the more affordable property landscape of rural West Texas. The $1,477 median tax is the third-lowest here, ahead of most other counties examined.

Pecos County tax bill snapshot

On the median home value of $142,900, residents pay approximately $1,477 annually in property taxes—one of the lowest in this group. Without a mortgage, the bill drops to just $1,051.

Verify your appraisal even in low-tax areas

Even in Pecos County's low-tax environment, individual properties can be overappraised, unnecessarily inflating annual tax bills. Review your property tax notice and consider filing an appeal with the appraisal district if your home is assessed higher than comparable properties nearby.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Pecos County

via CostByCounty

Pecos rents eat less of your paycheck

At 17.3%, Pecos County's rent-to-income ratio sits below the Texas average of 18.1% and suggests housing is more affordable here than in many American markets. The typical renter spends about $973 monthly on housing while earning $67,689 annually—modestly less than the national median income of $74,755.

Better than average across Texas

Pecos County ranks favorably among Texas counties for rental affordability, with renters dedicating a smaller share of income to housing than the state average. This positions Pecos as a relatively affordable option within a state where rent pressures vary dramatically by region.

Competitive with West Texas peers

Pecos County's $973 median rent is nearly identical to the state average of $963, making it competitive with similar rural West Texas counties. Housing costs here align closely with nearby markets, offering stability for renters considering the region.

Renting versus buying in Pecos

Renters in Pecos spend $973 monthly while homeowners pay $720, making ownership significantly cheaper on a monthly basis. With a median home value of $142,900 and strong incomes averaging $67,689, both pathways remain within reach for working families.

Consider Pecos for balanced costs

If you're weighing relocation, Pecos County offers below-average housing burden without sacrificing regional economics or proximity to larger markets. Compare this rent-to-income ratio against other counties on this list to find your best fit.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Pecos County

via IncomeByCounty

Pecos County Earnings Close to U.S.

Pecos County's median household income of $67,689 trails the national median of $74,755 by about $7,000, reflecting rural Texas patterns. Still, the county performs solidly on a national percentile basis, especially compared to other oil-and-agriculture-dependent regions.

Pecos Ranks Mid-Pack in Texas

At $67,689, Pecos County exceeds the Texas state average of $64,737 by roughly $2,950, placing it ahead of half the state's counties. The county benefits from energy sector employment and ranching heritage.

Edge Out Parmer, Trail Randall

Pecos County's $67,689 income slightly undercuts Parmer County ($68,164) but towers above Potter County ($50,448). Nearby Randall County ($80,905) sets a higher benchmark for the region's economic potential.

Rent Stays Affordable Here

Pecos County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.3% is well below the 30% affordability threshold, signaling strong housing affordability. The median home value of $142,900 is achievable for households earning the county median.

Leverage Low Housing Costs

With only 17.3% of income going to rent, Pecos County households have meaningful capacity to invest, save, or reduce debt. Build a diversified portfolio starting with tax-advantaged retirement vehicles—your cost-of-living advantage compounds over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Pecos County

via HealthByCounty

Pecos lags national life expectancy

At 72.5 years, Pecos County residents live nearly four years shorter than the U.S. average of 76.4 years. One in four Pecos residents (26.8%) report poor or fair health, exceeding national norms and pointing to chronic disease burdens.

Among Texas's healthiest ranked

Despite lower life expectancy, Pecos County actually outperforms Texas on uninsured rates: 22.4% versus the state average of 19.8%. However, its 72.5-year life expectancy runs 1.8 years below Texas's 74.3-year average.

Better access than Parmer

Pecos boasts 46 primary care providers per 100K—nearly five times Parmer County's 10 per 100K—yet life expectancy remains lower. This suggests access alone doesn't guarantee health outcomes; chronic disease management and preventive care gaps may be at play.

Moderate access, persistent gaps

With 46 primary care and 27 mental health providers per 100K, Pecos has reasonable infrastructure for a rural county. Still, 22.4% of residents remain uninsured, limiting their ability to use available services and manage chronic conditions.

Pecos can bridge coverage gaps

More than one in five Pecos residents lack insurance—a barrier to using the county's doctors and mental health providers. Explore Texas Medicaid, CHIP, and marketplace plans at healthcare.gov to get covered today.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Pecos County

via RiskByCounty

Pecos County ranks very low nationally

Pecos County's composite risk score of 25.13 places it well below the national average, marking it as a very low-risk area for natural disasters. Despite its remote West Texas location, the county benefits from lower exposure to the most destructive hazards.

Among Texas's safest counties

Pecos County's score of 25.13 is less than half the Texas state average of 49.00, positioning it among the state's lower-risk counties. This relative safety makes it an outlier even within West Texas.

Safer than surrounding West Texas counties

Pecos County (25.13) enjoys significantly lower risk than Potter County (90.49) to the north and Parmer (81.81) to the northeast, though it shares similar wildfire exposure with those neighbors. Its isolation and lower population density contribute to a smaller overall disaster footprint.

Wildfire represents the primary concern

Pecos County's wildfire risk (64.82) is its dominant hazard, while tornado (26.08), hurricane (30.45), and earthquake (20.74) risks remain relatively modest. The county's arid landscape makes wildfire preparation the key priority.

Focus on wildfire preparedness

Pecos County residents should ensure homeowners policies include wildfire coverage and maintain defensible space around structures through vegetation management. Standard policies may exclude wildfire, so confirm your coverage includes this hazard.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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