CountyScore

Real County

Texas · TX

#136 in Texas
62.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Real County, Texas

Real County outpaces national average

Real County scores 71.2 on the CountyScore composite index, well above the national median of 50.0. This places the county in the upper half of U.S. counties for overall livability, driven primarily by exceptionally affordable housing.

Among Texas's stronger performers

Real County ranks above average in Texas with a composite score of 71.2, compared to the state average of 66.8. The county's housing affordability gives it a competitive edge among its peers.

Affordable housing is the standout

Real County excels in cost-of-living, with a cost score of 85.8 and median gross rent of just $877 per month. Housing affordability is the primary driver of the county's above-average livability score.

Income growth and other measures lag

The income score of 13.0 reflects a median household income of $45,417, which trails state and national norms. Limited data exists on taxes, safety, health, schools, and water quality, making a complete livability assessment difficult.

Best for budget-conscious families

Real County suits families and retirees prioritizing low housing costs and modest living expenses over high incomes. This county offers genuine affordability but requires due diligence on schools, healthcare, and safety before relocating.

Score breakdown

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

TaxComing SoonCost85.8SafetyComing SoonHealth48.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome13Risk57.4WaterComing Soon
🏛
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠85.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼13
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤48.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡57.4
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 Real County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Bay County
Florida
62.2
Median income: $70,188
Douglas County
Georgia
62.2
Median income: $80,764
Muscogee County
Georgia
62.2
Median income: $56,622
Sumter County
Georgia
62.2
Median income: $41,877
Douglas County
Illinois
62.2
Median income: $74,186

Deep Dives

Real County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Real County

via TaxByCounty

Real County's tax data remains limited

Real County's effective tax rate data is unavailable, but the median property tax of $1,213 runs 55% below the national median of $2,690. This suggests a small, rural county with modest property values and lower overall tax burdens.

Real County offers low tax bills

With a median property tax of $1,213, Real County residents pay well below the Texas state average of $2,193, positioning it among the most affordable counties in the state. The specific effective rate is unavailable, but the low median tax suggests rates below statewide norms.

Lowest taxes in the Hill Country region

Real County's $1,213 median property tax undercuts neighboring Presidio, Reagan, and Brewster counties, making it one of the cheapest places to own property in far West Texas. The limited data suggests a sparsely populated, rural community.

Real County's tax burden remains low

The median Real County property owner pays just $1,213 per year in property taxes, though home values are not available in this dataset. With mortgage exemptions, that figure rises to $4,846—suggesting complex assessment patterns in this small county.

Request a property tax appraisal review

Real County homeowners should request their property tax appraisal details from the county assessor to verify accuracy, especially given limited data availability. A free appeal can clarify your assessment and potentially uncover errors.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Real County

via CostByCounty

Real County's affordability paradox

Real County's 23.2% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the highest in this eight-county comparison, driven by low median income of $45,417—nearly 40% below the national median of $74,755. At $877 monthly rent, the burden falls heavily despite modest absolute costs.

Struggling for affordability in Texas

Real County ranks among Texas's least affordable counties for renters when income is considered, despite appearing inexpensive on absolute rental prices. The county's economic constraints limit household financial flexibility despite low housing nominal costs.

Modest rent, minimal income challenge

Real County's $877 rent sits above the state average of $963 while income at $45,417 sits below most peer counties, creating affordability stress. The county offers neither the lowest rents nor the strongest incomes in this comparison.

Owning appears cheaper but risky

Homeowners pay only $449 monthly—far cheaper than renters' $877—but median home value data is unavailable, making ownership assessment difficult. With median income at $45,417, even the $449 monthly ownership cost represents significant household burden without clear equity-building benefits.

Real County requires careful planning

Real County's affordability challenge stems from low incomes rather than high rents, so relocation here works only with secure, above-county-average employment. Before committing, verify that your income will exceed the county median—otherwise, housing stress will likely persist.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Real County

via IncomeByCounty

Real County lags far behind national income

Real County's median household income of $45,417 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by nearly $29,000, placing it in the bottom 15% nationally. This gap reflects limited economic diversification in a rural Texas county where wages haven't kept pace with national growth.

Bottom third among Texas counties

At $45,417, Real County's median household income falls significantly below Texas's county average of $64,737, ranking it among the lowest-earning counties statewide. The per capita income of $23,000 is also 31% below the state's $33,197 average.

Real County's income ranks lowest in region

Real County earns less than all nearby counties in this comparison, with Red River at $46,912 and Reeves at $56,056 both ahead. This suggests Real County faces steeper economic challenges than its immediate neighbors.

Housing remains affordable despite low income

With a rent-to-income ratio of 23.2%, Real County residents spend about a quarter of household income on rent—above the ideal 20% threshold but manageable compared to high-cost metros. Limited median home value data makes full affordability assessment difficult, but rental costs appear sustainable for most households.

Building wealth in Real County requires planning

At $45,417 median income, households should prioritize employer retirement plans and automatic savings programs to build long-term wealth. Even small monthly investments compound significantly over time—consider working with a local financial advisor to map out realistic savings goals.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Real County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy gap in Real County

Real County residents live an average of 71.2 years, roughly 6 years shorter than the U.S. average of 77.0 years. The county's poor or fair health rate of 25.6% exceeds national benchmarks, signaling higher chronic disease burdens across the population.

Real County trails Texas average

At 71.2 years, Real County's life expectancy falls 3.1 years below Texas's state average of 74.3 years. This gap places Real County among lower-performing counties in the state's health rankings.

Healthcare access varies widely nearby

Real County has 71 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—stronger than neighboring Red River County's 26 per 100K but lower than Rockwall County's 66 per 100K. Mental health access at 35 per 100K keeps pace with regional averages.

One in five residents uninsured

Real County's uninsured rate of 20.7% exceeds the state average of 19.8%, leaving more than 1 in 5 residents without health coverage. This coverage gap likely contributes to delayed care and worse health outcomes.

Explore your coverage options now

If you're among the uninsured in Real County, the Health Insurance Marketplace and state programs may offer affordable plans. Visit Healthcare.gov or contact your county health department to learn about subsidies and enrollment deadlines.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Real County

via RiskByCounty

Real County's risk sits well below average

With a composite risk score of 42.59, Real County ranks as Very Low risk—notably safer than the national average. This score reflects a county where natural disasters pose limited threat to most residents and infrastructure.

Well protected compared to Texas peers

Real County's 42.59 score falls well below Texas's 49.00 state average, placing it among the safer counties statewide. This favorable standing means residents face fewer compound hazard exposures than most Texans.

Safer than surrounding Hill Country region

Real County's Very Low rating outperforms neighboring Kerr and Gillespie counties, which face higher wildfire and tornado risks. Its geographic isolation and lower population density contribute to a more favorable risk profile than nearby urban-adjacent counties.

Wildfire and flood demand attention here

Wildfire risk scores 72.14 in Real County, making it the dominant natural hazard concern despite the county's overall low composite score. Flood risk at 68.54 ranks second, reflecting the Hill Country's steep terrain and seasonal water patterns.

Homeowners should prioritize wildfire coverage

Real County residents should ensure their homeowners policies explicitly cover wildfire damage, as standard policies often exclude it. Consider also reviewing flood coverage if your property sits near creeks, draws, or flood-prone low-lying areas.

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.