CountyScore

Taylor County

Texas · TX

#210 in Texas
57.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Taylor County, Texas

Taylor scores above national median

Taylor County's composite score of 62.4 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by more than 12 points, indicating better-than-average livability relative to most U.S. counties. The county delivers measurable advantages across measured dimensions.

Slightly below Texas average

Taylor's 62.4 falls just beneath the Texas state average of 66.8, making it a typical-to-slightly-below-average performer within its state. The modest gap positions it as reasonably competitive among Texas counties.

Balanced tax and cost profile

Taylor's tax score of 62.8 (effective rate 1.403%) is favorable, and its cost score of 71.0 reflects moderate housing affordability with median home values of $190,300 and rents of $1,111 monthly. This balance offers households reasonable value compared to more expensive Texas metros.

Income levels constrain household finances

The income score of 26.7 reflects a median household income of $66,406, below state and national averages and creating budget pressures despite moderate costs. Critical data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors remains unavailable.

Suits moderate-income families seeking balance

Taylor County appeals to families valuing a balance of reasonable housing costs, fair tax burdens, and mid-sized town living. It works best for those with modest-to-moderate incomes who want small-city amenities without major metropolitan expense.

Score breakdown

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

Tax62.8Cost71SafetyComing SoonHealth57.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome26.7Risk16.2WaterComing Soon
🏛62.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠71
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼26.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤57.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡16.2
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 Taylor County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Dane County
Wisconsin
57.2
Median income: $88,108
Erie County
New York
57.3
Median income: $71,175
Caldwell County
Texas
57.3
Median income: $68,503
Val Verde County
Texas
57.3
Median income: $59,673
Wharton County
Texas
57.3
Median income: $66,100

Deep Dives

Taylor County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Taylor County

via TaxByCounty

Taylor's rate sits near national median

At 1.403%, Taylor County's effective tax rate falls slightly above the national median of 1.27%, placing it near the middle of the country's tax burden spectrum. The median annual property tax of $2,670 closely mirrors the national median, making Taylor fairly representative of typical American property taxation.

Below average for Texas

Taylor County's 1.403% rate ranks below the Texas state average of 1.276% in relative terms, positioning it in the lower-middle tier statewide. Homeowners here benefit from a tax burden lighter than many Texas communities.

More affordable than Tarrant, less than Swisher

Taylor's 1.403% rate falls between neighbors Tarrant County (1.772%) to the north and Tom Green County (1.351%) to the southwest. This moderate position reflects Taylor's balanced approach to funding local government and schools.

Median tax bill reaches $2,670 yearly

On a median home value of $190,300, Taylor County residents pay approximately $2,670 in annual property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages see that amount rise to $3,428 when mortgage tax escrow is included.

Check your assessment for overvaluation

Even in fairly-taxed counties like Taylor, individual homes can be incorrectly appraised above market value. If your home's assessed value seems excessive compared to comparable recent sales, the county appraisal district allows homeowners to file appeals at no cost.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Taylor County

via CostByCounty

Taylor County housing strains middle income

Taylor County's 20.1% rent-to-income ratio exceeds both Texas's 18.1% state average and approaches affordability stress thresholds, despite a median rent of $1,111. The median household income of $66,406 falls below the national median of $74,755, intensifying relative affordability pressure.

Middle-tier affordability for Texas

Taylor County ranks in Texas's middle-to-lower affordability tier, with its 20.1% rent-to-income ratio running consistently above state averages. As Abilene's home county, it reflects a regional economy with moderate wages and steadily climbing rents.

Rents climbing faster than West Texas rural

Taylor's $1,111 median rent substantially exceeds most surrounding West Texas rural counties but remains lower than urban Tarrant County. The county represents a midpoint between rural affordability and metro pricing.

One-fifth of income dedicated to rent

Renters spend 20.1% of their $66,406 median income on housing, equivalent to $1,111 monthly, leaving moderate room for other expenses. Homeowners allocate roughly 20.4% to monthly payments on a median $190,300 home, with an average payment of $1,127.

Balance opportunity with affordability trade-offs

Taylor County offers Abilene's employment stability and regional amenities at prices below major metros, though slightly elevated versus rural neighbors. Relocate here if you're seeking a mid-sized city with decent job prospects—just budget carefully, as housing costs are trending upward.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Taylor County

via IncomeByCounty

Taylor's income trails U.S. average

Taylor County's median household income of $66,406 falls about $8,350 short of the national median of $74,755, placing it in the bottom half nationally. However, it outperforms the Texas state average of $64,737 by roughly $1,700.

Slightly above Texas state average

At $66,406, Taylor County ranks just above the Texas state average of $64,737, positioning it in the middle-to-upper-middle tier statewide. The county represents solid mid-range earnings among Texas's 254 counties.

Outearns most rural West Texas peers

Taylor County's $66,406 income exceeds nearby Stonewall ($61,250), Throckmorton ($58,864), Swisher ($39,031), Terrell ($46,989), and Terry ($45,905) counties. Only Sutton County ($75,000) and Tarrant County ($81,905) earn noticeably more.

Housing costs moderately manageable

With a rent-to-income ratio of 20.1%, Taylor County residents spend about one-fifth of income on housing, approaching but not exceeding the healthy 30% threshold. The median home value of $190,300 remains within reach for households earning $66,406.

Build wealth with intentional planning

Taylor County's stable middle-class income creates opportunities for retirement savings, home equity building, and modest investment growth. Set specific financial goals, automate monthly savings, and review insurance coverage to protect assets.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Taylor County

via HealthByCounty

Mid-size county below national health

Taylor County residents live an average of 73.5 years—3 years below the national average of 76.5—though just 20.2% report poor or fair health, slightly above the national rate. This mid-size Texas county sits in the middle range of health outcomes nationally.

Slightly below Texas average

Taylor's 73.5-year life expectancy falls 0.8 years short of Texas's 74.3-year state average, placing it in the lower half of Texas counties. The 18.7% uninsured rate is better than the state's 19.8%, suggesting relative affordability or access in the Abilene area.

Better than rural peers, not quite urban

Taylor's 20.2% poor/fair health rate outperforms rural counties like Swisher (27.0%) and Terry (30.4%), but trails Tarrant (18.9%). Its 73.5-year life expectancy is higher than Swisher (70.3) and Terry (70.8), reflecting mid-size city advantages.

Strong mental health, adequate primary care

Taylor has 67 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and an exceptional 233 mental health providers per 100K—the highest among all counties shown. The 18.7% uninsured rate means most residents can access these providers affordably.

Keep coverage stable in Abilene

Taylor County's strong provider network means coverage matters—without it, you're locked out of care. Check healthcare.gov or your employer plan annually to maintain continuous coverage.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Taylor County

via RiskByCounty

Taylor faces notably elevated national risks

Taylor County's composite risk score of 83.81 rates as Relatively Moderate, substantially above the national average. The Abilene-area county experiences serious exposure to multiple natural hazard categories simultaneously.

Second-tier risk within Texas

At 83.81, Taylor County ranks well above Texas's state average of 49.00, placing it among the state's higher-risk counties. Only a handful of Texas counties face comparable multi-hazard exposure.

Taylor leads region in risk exposure

Taylor's 83.81 score exceeds neighboring Stonewall (3.82), Sutton (7.06), and Swisher (37.44) dramatically, while approaching Tarrant County (99.14). This concentration of hazard exposure distinguishes Taylor from most surrounding West Texas counties.

Wildfire and flooding top threat list

Wildfire risk at 89.73 is Taylor's most significant hazard, followed closely by flood risk at 82.76 and tornado risk at 73.92. Hurricane risk at 49.02 and earthquake risk at 38.52 create additional meaningful exposure.

Comprehensive protection is critical here

Taylor County residents require extensive homeowners insurance including flood, wildfire, tornado/wind, and hail coverage across most of the county. A standalone flood insurance policy is essential given the 82.76 flood risk score.

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.