countyscore
31.7
County Score
Income & Jobs 85.9Water Quality 64.6Lawn Care 54.6

County Report Card

About Tarrant County, Texas

Metro Living Below National Medians

Tarrant County earns a composite score of 31.5, placing it well below the national median of 50.0. High costs and environmental factors weigh heavily on its overall standing.

High Prosperity, Low Average Ranking

Despite its status as an economic engine, Tarrant falls behind the Texas average score of 41.9. The burdens of urban living often offset the county's massive wealth.

Economic Power and Strong Infrastructure

The county boasts a high Income Score of 85.7, with median household incomes reaching $81,905. It also maintains good water infrastructure, reflected in a Water Score of 64.6.

Extreme Risk and High Expenses

Tarrant faces a critically low Risk Score of 0.9, indicating high vulnerability to natural disasters or environmental hazards. Costs are also a major hurdle, with a 7.0 Cost Score and a high 1.772% effective tax rate.

Built for High-Earning Careerists

Tarrant suits professionals who prioritize career growth and urban amenities over environmental peace. It is a classic trade-off where residents exchange lower safety and high costs for high-income opportunities.

204060801007.36.846.442.442.785.90.964.631.6Tax7.3Cost6.8Safety46.4Health42.4Schools42.7Income85.9Risk0.9Water64.6Weather31.631.7/100
This county
National avg
1 above average5 below average

Tarrant County DNA

Foverall

How Tarrant County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Tarrant County falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Disaster Risk (0.9/100), though Income (85.9/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
7.3-44.7
Cost
6.8-41.2
Safety
46.4-8.600000000000001
Health
42.4
Schools
42.7-11.299999999999997
Income
85.9+34.900000000000006
Risk
0.9-46.1
Water
64.6
Weather
31.6-24.4
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Compare mortgage rates in Tarrant County

Whether buying or refinancing in Tarrant County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$323,900

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,547/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$323,900/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$61,880/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.8x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $84,207/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

14.7

per 100K

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
Compare Tarrant County with Crittenden County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Crittenden County
Arkansas
Median income: $55,358
31.7
Buchanan County
Missouri
Median income: $62,158
31.7
Terry County
Texas
Median income: $44,100
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Jasper County
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Median income: $60,694
31.6
Cleveland County
Oklahoma
Median income: $77,068
31.6
Atascosa County
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Median income: $70,770
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Hunt County
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Median income: $71,938
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Osceola County
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Median income: $72,637
31.8

Nearby counties

Dallas County
Texas
26.3
Johnson County
Texas
32.5
Denton County
Texas
26.4
Ellis County
Texas
30.8
Parker County
Texas
32.8
Wise County
Texas
36.7
Collin County
Texas
30.6
Hood County
Texas
38.2

Deep Dives

Tarrant County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Tarrant County

via TaxByCounty

Tarrant's tax burden outpaces nation

Tarrant County's effective rate of 1.772% ranks in the 85th percentile nationally, meaning it charges more than four out of five U.S. counties. The median home here costs $5,211 annually in property taxes—nearly double the national median of $2,690.

Second-highest rate in Texas

Tarrant's 1.772% effective rate ranks second among all Texas counties, exceeded only by a handful statewide. At 39% above the state average of 1.276%, Tarrant's rate reflects the high cost of services in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area.

Highest taxes in the Dallas-Fort Worth region

At 1.772%, Tarrant charges more than any adjacent county, reflecting its role as the region's economic and population center. Taylor County (1.403%) and Tom Green County (1.351%) both tax homeowners at noticeably lower rates.

Median home bills $5,211 yearly

The typical Tarrant home valued at $294,100 generates a $5,211 annual property tax bill. With mortgage tax escrow, that amount rises to $5,903, making property taxes a substantial component of homeownership costs in this urban county.

Appeal if your appraisal is inflated

In a fast-growing county like Tarrant, homes are frequently overappraised by the tax assessor. Homeowners who believe their assessed value exceeds market value have the right to file a protest with the appraisal district and potentially recover thousands in overcharged taxes.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Tarrant County

via IncomeByCounty

Tarrant leads Texas in household income

Tarrant County's median household income of $81,905 exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by nearly $7,200, placing it in the top 30% nationally. This robust performance reflects the county's urban and suburban economic diversity.

Top earner among Texas counties

At $81,905, Tarrant County ranks in the top 10% of Texas counties by household income, well above the state average of $64,737. The county's economic strength drives Texas's overall income figures upward.

Significantly outearns surrounding rural counties

Tarrant's $81,905 household income dwarfs nearby rural counties like Stonewall ($61,250), Taylor ($66,406), and Throckmorton ($58,864). The gap reflects Tarrant's status as a major metropolitan area anchoring the Fort Worth–Dallas region.

High incomes offset elevated housing costs

Despite a rent-to-income ratio of 21.2% and a median home value of $294,100, Tarrant County's robust median income of $81,905 supports homeownership and rental affordability. The urban market's higher costs remain manageable for most households.

Maximize growth through diversified strategy

Tarrant County residents benefit from strong income enabling aggressive wealth-building through real estate, equity investments, and retirement accounts. Consult a financial advisor to develop a personalized plan that includes tax optimization and long-term asset allocation.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Tarrant County

via CrimeByCounty

Tarrant County Maintains Low Urban Crime

Tarrant County reports a total crime rate of 1,203.1 per 100,000 residents, roughly half the national average of 2,385.5. This leads to a high safety score of 98.1, demonstrating strong safety performance for a major metropolitan area.

Safer Than the Texas Average

The county's safety score of 98.1 exceeds the Texas average of 96.8. Despite its large population, Tarrant's total crime rate of 1,203.1 is significantly better than the statewide average of 2,052.5.

Extensive Reporting Ensures Data Accuracy

With 43 reporting agencies, Tarrant County provides some of the most reliable safety data in the region. It is notably safer than Terry County, which sees 1,836.5 crimes per 100,000 residents.

Property Crimes Outnumber Violent Incidents

The county sees 1,027.4 property crimes per 100,000 people, while violent crime remains low at 175.7. Tarrant's violent crime rate is significantly lower than the national average of 369.8, highlighting its relative safety.

Smart Security for Urban Living

Urban environments benefit greatly from smart home technology like doorbell cameras and remote monitoring. Staying connected with neighbors through digital community boards can also help track and prevent local property crimes.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Tarrant County

via WeatherByCounty

Hot, Humid, and More Rain than Median

Tarrant County's 66.0°F average annual temperature is 12 degrees higher than the national median. It receives 36.8 inches of rain annually, making it wetter than both the national and state averages.

Slightly Warmer than the Texas Norm

The county's 66.0°F annual average is just above the Texas state average of 65.5°F. It is notably wetter than the state average, recording nearly 5 extra inches of precipitation.

Wetter and Warmer than Rural Neighbors

Tarrant is wetter than all its western neighbors, receiving 16 inches more rain than Sterling County. Its July average of 85.3°F is hotter than Somervell or Stephens counties.

Long Summers and Humid Winters

The county experiences 104 days of extreme heat above 90°F, peaking in a humid July. Winters are mild at 47.9°F and see very little snow, averaging only 0.7 inches per year.

Manage Humidity and Urban Heat

The combination of 104 heat days and 36.8 inches of rain requires high-capacity AC and dehumidification. Urban residents should prepare for the 'heat island' effect during the long, 85-degree July days.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Tarrant County

via SoilByCounty

Neutral Entisols in the Metroplex

Tarrant County's dominant soils are Entisols with a fine sandy loam texture. The average pH of 6.63 is very close to the national median of 6.5, making it more neutral than the typical Texas soil average of 7.09.

Sandy Loam Provides Quick Drainage

With 39.5% sand and only 25.9% clay, these soils are easy to work and resist compaction. The high sand content ensures that roots have plenty of oxygen, though it may require more frequent watering than heavier soils.

Steady Water Capacity for Urban Landscapes

Organic matter levels reach 1.55%, slightly trailing the state average of 1.66%. The available water capacity of 0.132 in/in matches the Texas average, providing a reliable foundation for suburban lawns and gardens.

Superior Infiltration for Building and Gardening

The county is well drained and categorized under hydrologic group A, the highest infiltration class. This makes the soil excellent for construction and prevents standing water after North Texas thunderstorms.

Gardening Success in Zone 8b

Hardiness zone 8b allows for a long growing season that favors heat-tolerant vegetables and native prairie grasses. You can easily start a productive kitchen garden here thanks to the neutral pH and excellent drainage.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Tarrant County

via LawnByCounty

Prime Conditions for North Texas

Tarrant County boasts a lawn difficulty score of 54.6, which is easier than both the state average and the national median. This Zone 8b region is one of the most favorable spots in Texas for home landscaping.

Ideal Rainfall Supports Lush Growth

Annual precipitation of 36.8 inches sits perfectly within the ideal 30-50 inch range for healthy lawns. While 104 extreme heat days are standard for Texas, the generous rainfall helps maintain vigor through the summer.

Perfect Soil for Healthy Roots

The fine sandy loam soil is well-drained and features a pH of 6.63, which is ideal for grass. This natural balance means your lawn likely won't require heavy chemical adjustments to thrive.

Short Droughts and Resilient Turf

Tarrant County saw only 7 weeks of drought last year, though the entire area is currently considered abnormally dry. Efficient irrigation during the peak of summer is usually enough to keep these lawns resilient and green.

Early Starts in Zone 8b

St. Augustine and Zoysia are highly recommended for this region's soil and climate. With the last frost typically occurring by March 11, you can start your spring lawn prep earlier than most of the state.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tarrant County's county score?
Tarrant County, Texas has a composite county score of 31.7 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 Tarrant County rank among counties in Texas?
Tarrant County ranks #201 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 Tarrant County, Texas?
The median annual property tax in Tarrant County is $5,334, with an effective tax rate of 1.65%. This earns Tarrant County a tax score of 7.3/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Tarrant County?
The median household income in Tarrant County, Texas is $84,207 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Tarrant County earns an income score of 85.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Tarrant County, Texas a good place to live?
Tarrant County scores 31.7/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #201 in Texas. The best way to evaluate Tarrant 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 Tarrant 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.