countyscore
54.8
County Score
Disaster Risk 92.7Safety 73.9Cost of Living 64.7

County Report Card

About San Saba County, Texas

Above the National Performance Median

San Saba County earns a 54.1 composite score, outperforming the national median of 50.0. It ranks as a highly livable destination on the national stage.

Strong Performer in the State

The county's score of 54.1 is significantly higher than the Texas state average of 41.9. It represents a high-quality rural option within the state's interior.

Low Risk and High Safety

San Saba is exceptionally resilient with a risk score of 92.7 and a safety score of 73.9. It also offers solid affordability, backed by a cost score of 65.1.

Economic and Healthcare Limitations

The income score is low at 24.7, reflecting a median household income of $54,855. Access to healthcare is also a concern, with the health dimension scoring just 24.6.

Perfect for Quiet, Secure Living

San Saba is an ideal fit for people seeking a low-risk, safe environment away from urban chaos. It is a great match for retirees or remote workers who don't rely on the local job market.

2040608010043.464.773.924.66323.192.751.233.3Tax43.4Cost64.7Safety73.9Health24.6Schools63Income23.1Risk92.7Water51.2Weather33.354.8/100
This county
National avg
3 above average3 below average

San Saba County DNA

Foverall

How San Saba County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

San Saba County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Disaster Risk (92.7/100) but notably weak in Income (23.1/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
43.4-8.600000000000001
Cost
64.7+16.700000000000003
Safety
73.9+18.900000000000006
Health
24.6-25.4
Schools
63+9
Income
23.1-27.9
Risk
92.7+45.7
Water
51.2
Weather
33.3-22.700000000000003
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in San Saba County?

Many homeowners in San Saba County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$168,700

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$958/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$168,700/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$38,320/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.0x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $55,819/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Nearby counties

Mills County
Texas
62.8
Lampasas County
Texas
41.6
Brown County
Texas
35.9
McCulloch County
Texas
43.8
Llano County
Texas
47.5
Mason County
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62.3
Burnet County
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37.6
Hamilton County
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48.8

Deep Dives

San Saba County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in San Saba County

via TaxByCounty

San Saba taxes below national median rate

San Saba County's effective tax rate of 1.006% yields a median annual property tax of $1,628, well below the national median of $2,690. The county's median home value of $161,800 reflects a rural Texas market where property taxes remain moderate by national standards.

Below-average taxes for Texas

San Saba County's effective tax rate of 1.006% sits comfortably below the Texas state average of 1.276%. The county's median property tax of $1,628 runs about $565 lower than the state's typical tax of $2,193, making it a relatively tax-friendly Texas county.

Lower taxes than most neighbors

San Saba's 1.006% rate beats nearby Schleicher County's 1.429% and exceeds only the statewide-lowest San Augustine at 0.816%. Among central Texas counties, San Saba offers below-average tax burden for homeowners.

Median home costs $1,628 yearly in taxes

A homeowner with a median-valued property of $161,800 in San Saba County pays approximately $1,628 annually in property taxes. With mortgage and debt service included, that amount rises to $2,161, which remains moderate compared to national and state averages.

Verify assessments to keep taxes down

San Saba homeowners should periodically review their property's assessed value to ensure accuracy, as overassessments can inflate tax bills unnecessarily. Filing an appeal is a straightforward process in Texas and can result in tax savings if your property is valued too high.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in San Saba County

via IncomeByCounty

San Saba lags national income benchmarks

San Saba County's median household income of $54,855 trails the national median of $74,755 by $19,900—a 26.6% gap that reflects rural economic pressures across Central Texas. This shortfall places the county in the lower third nationally by income. However, San Saba's income level remains viable in its regional context and lower-cost community.

San Saba falls below Texas state average

At $54,855, San Saba County ranks in the lower half of Texas's 254 counties, trailing the state average of $64,737 by $9,882. The per capita income of $29,823 sits notably below Texas's average of $33,197, suggesting workforce participation or age demographic challenges. San Saba faces structural economic headwinds common to rural Central Texas.

San Saba occupies the regional middle ground

San Saba County ($54,855) falls between high-income Rusk and San Patricio counties ($67,500+) and low-income San Augustine County ($46,338), reflecting moderate regional economic conditions. The county trails Sabine and San Jacinto ($59,500+) by about $4,500 each. This middle positioning suggests neither significant advantage nor severe disadvantage compared to immediate peers.

Housing affordability requires careful budgeting

San Saba County's rent-to-income ratio of 19.6% approaches the affordability danger zone, with typical renters allocating roughly $10,700 annually to housing from median income of $54,855. This ratio leaves constrained resources for healthcare, childcare, and savings despite reasonably priced homes. Homeownership becomes a strategic wealth-building tool for San Saba households.

Leverage rural affordability for homeownership

San Saba's median home value of $161,800 combined with income of $54,855 creates favorable conditions for first-time buyers compared to urban Texas. A 15-20% down payment ($24,000-$32,000) and mortgage payments under $900 monthly become achievable goals. Building home equity transforms housing from a consumption expense into a wealth-accumulation vehicle.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in San Saba County

via CrimeByCounty

Quiet and Secure in San Saba County

San Saba County boasts a total crime rate of 622.9 per 100K, far below the national average of 2,385.5. This low incidence rate results in a near-perfect safety score of 99.0.

A Model of Texas Public Safety

San Saba's safety score of 99.0 ranks it well above the Texas state average of 96.8. The local crime rate is less than one-third of the statewide average of 2052.5 per 100K.

Safety Leader in the Region

Compared to Scurry County's 2167.9 crime rate, San Saba is much quieter and safer for families. Its reporting agencies show a consistently low volume of criminal activity.

Violent Crime is Extremely Rare

The violent crime rate is just 86.5 per 100K, compared to the national average of 369.8. Property crime is also minimal at 536.4, providing high security for local assets.

Stay Vigilant to Keep Crime Low

Low crime rates thrive when residents watch out for one another. Maintaining visible home security and participating in neighborhood watches can ensure San Saba stays a top-tier safety destination.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in San Saba County

via WeatherByCounty

A Warm Central Texas Baseline

With an annual average of 65.4°F, San Saba County is nearly 10 degrees warmer than the national median. This reflects the typical warm-temperate climate found across the American South.

Matching the Texas State Average

The county's 65.4°F average temperature almost perfectly matches the Texas state average of 65.5°F. Its 29.0 inches of annual rainfall is slightly below the state benchmark of 31.9 inches.

Typical Hill Country Weather Patterns

San Saba's climate is characterized by its 107 extreme heat days per year. This heat profile is consistent with other Central Texas counties that experience dry, scorching summers.

Blistering Summers and Temperate Winters

July temperatures average 83.1°F, contributing to a summer average of 82.2°F. Winters are manageable with a 48.0°F average and negligible snowfall of just 0.3 inches.

Strategic Cooling for Triple-Digit Days

Plan for 107 days of heat exceeding 90°F by ensuring home insulation is optimized for summer. With very little snowfall, winter maintenance focuses more on occasional freezes than snow removal.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in San Saba County

via SoilByCounty

Alfisols of the Pecan Capital

San Saba features a dominant soil order of Alfisols with a fine sandy loam texture. The average pH of 7.27 is slightly more alkaline than the national median of 6.5 and the Texas average of 7.09.

Sandy Loam for Balanced Drainage

The soil contains 44.9% sand, 29.4% silt, and 24.7% clay. This high sand content provides excellent workability and drainage, which is ideal for the county's famous pecan orchards.

Exceeding State Organic Standards

Organic matter sits at 1.78%, beating the Texas state average of 1.66%. The available water capacity is 0.130 in/in, providing a solid foundation for crops despite the semi-arid conditions.

Well Drained and Reliable

The land is classified as well drained and belongs to hydrologic group B. This combination suggests moderate infiltration rates, making it a reliable choice for both residential building and intensive agriculture.

Grow Pecans and More in Zone 8b

San Saba's Zone 8b climate is perfect for pecans, peaches, and hearty summer squash. Your garden will flourish in these well-drained loams if you provide consistent irrigation during the peak summer heat.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in San Saba County

via LawnByCounty

Typical Texas Toughness in San Saba

San Saba County scores a 34.6 on the lawn difficulty scale, making it slightly easier than the state average but still a challenge. In Zone 8b, the climate demands a focus on heat tolerance and water management. You are working in an environment that is significantly more difficult than the national average of 50.0.

Scant Rain and Triple-Digit Heat

The county receives only 29.0 inches of annual precipitation, which is below both the state average and the ideal 30-50 inch lawn range. Combined with 107 extreme heat days and 6,205 growing degree days, your grass will require significant supplemental watering. The high heat levels mean grass enters dormancy quickly if not properly managed.

Well-Drained Alkaline Loam Foundation

The soil here is characterized as a fine sandy loam with a pH of 7.27, which is slightly alkaline. It is classified as well-drained, meaning it won't hold onto water long during those 107 days of extreme heat. Adding organic compost can help improve water retention in this 44.9% sandy mix.

Managing Dryness Without Severe Crisis

While 100% of the county is abnormally dry, none of it currently sits in severe drought, providing a rare window of stability in Texas. However, with 19 weeks of drought over the past year, you must remain vigilant with your irrigation. Deep soaking once a week is better than daily light watering for building resilient root systems.

Tough Grasses for the Texas Heart

Buffalo grass and Bermuda are excellent choices for this region because they can handle the slightly alkaline 7.27 pH soil. Aim to plant after the last spring frost on March 16 to maximize the growing season before the winter return on November 13. These hardy species will give you the best chance of surviving the dry San Saba summers.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is San Saba County's county score?
San Saba County, Texas has a composite county score of 54.8 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does San Saba County rank among counties in Texas?
San Saba County ranks #37 among all counties in Texas on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in San Saba County, Texas?
The median annual property tax in San Saba County is $1,513, with an effective tax rate of 0.90%. This earns San Saba County a tax score of 43.4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in San Saba County?
The median household income in San Saba County, Texas is $55,819 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. San Saba County earns an income score of 23.1/100 on CountyScore.
Is San Saba County, Texas a good place to live?
San Saba County scores 54.8/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #37 in Texas. The best way to evaluate San Saba County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare San Saba County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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