countyscore
37.9
County Score
Income & Jobs 94.6Health 62.5Water Quality 61.7

County Report Card

About Travis County, Texas

High Prosperity with High Costs

Travis County posts a composite score of 37.9, falling below the national median of 50.0 primarily due to extreme affordability issues. Despite its economic power, the cost of living drags down its national percentile ranking.

Trailing the Texas State Average

The county’s score of 37.9 is lower than the Texas average of 41.9. While it is an economic engine for the state, the high tax and cost burdens make it less accessible than many neighboring counties.

Elite Incomes and Excellent Health

The county boasts an incredible income score of 94.7, with median household earnings of $97,169. It also supports healthy lifestyles, reflected in a health score of 62.5.

Extreme Costs and High Environmental Risk

Affordability is nearly non-existent with a cost score of 3.2 and median home values of $487,600. The risk score of 2.3 is also concerning, indicating high vulnerability to natural or environmental hazards.

Best for High-Earning Urbanites

Travis County is perfect for high-income professionals who value a vibrant city culture and top-tier health outcomes. It requires a significant financial cushion to manage the 1.536% effective tax rate and high housing prices.

2040608010011.73.157.462.548.994.62.361.723.1Tax11.7Cost3.1Safety57.4Health62.5Schools48.9Income94.6Risk2.3Water61.7Weather23.137.9/100
This county
National avg
2 above average4 below average

Travis County DNA

Foverall

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

Travis County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (94.6/100) but notably weak in Cost of Living (3.1/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
11.7-40.3
Cost
3.1-44.9
Safety
57.4
Health
62.5+12.5
Schools
48.9
Income
94.6+43.599999999999994
Risk
2.3-44.7
Water
61.7
Weather
23.1-32.9
Sponsored

Compare mortgage rates in Travis County

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

See Today's Rates

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$523,000

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,744/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$523,000/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$69,760/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum5.3x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $99,611/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

18.9

per 100K

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

Deep Dives

Travis County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Travis County

via TaxByCounty

Travis taxes rank high nationally

Travis County's effective tax rate of 1.536% significantly exceeds the national median of 1.1%, placing it in the top 15% of U.S. counties for property tax burden. The median property tax here is $7,487 annually—nearly three times the national median of $2,690—reflecting both high home values and above-average rates.

Among Texas's priciest tax burdens

Travis County ranks in the top 5% of Texas counties by effective tax rate at 1.536%, well above the state average of 1.276%. The median tax bill of $7,487 is more than triple the state median of $2,193, driven by Austin's booming real estate market.

Outpaced by surrounding counties

Travis County's 1.536% rate is substantially higher than most neighboring counties—Williamson averages 1.38%, Hays around 1.25%, and Bastrop near 1.15%. This makes Travis one of the region's steepest tax counties, a key cost factor for those considering relocation within the Austin metro.

A $487k home costs $7,487 yearly

With a median home value of $487,600 and an effective rate of 1.536%, the typical Travis County homeowner pays $7,487 in annual property taxes. For those with mortgages, the combined tax and mortgage obligations push annual costs to $7,918.

Overassessment appeals could lower bills

Many Travis County homeowners pay more than necessary due to inflated property assessments. A formal appeal with your county appraisal district can challenge overvaluation and potentially reduce your annual tax liability.

Income & Jobs in Travis County

via IncomeByCounty

Travis County earns well above U.S. average

Travis County's median household income of $97,169 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by 30%, ranking among the highest-earning counties nationwide. This prosperity reflects Austin's status as a thriving tech and education hub attracting high-wage professionals.

Texas's wealth leader by a wide margin

Travis County's $97,169 median income towers 50% above Texas's state average of $64,737, making it one of the most prosperous counties in the state. Only a handful of Texas counties—primarily Dallas and Houston suburbs—approach Travis County's earnings levels.

Economic powerhouse vastly outearns region

Travis County's $97,169 dwarfs all comparison counties in this analysis, including Tom Green County ($66,254) and Titus County ($59,220). Austin's booming tech sector and education institutions create an earnings environment fundamentally different from surrounding rural areas.

High incomes face high housing costs

Despite strong earnings, Travis County's rent-to-income ratio of 20.6% masks an affordability crisis: the median home value of $487,600 requires household incomes well above the county median to purchase. High earners enjoy better purchasing power, but middle-income residents face severe housing affordability challenges.

Capitalize on Austin's income advantage

Travis County residents earn incomes that position them well for aggressive wealth-building through real estate, stocks, and retirement accounts. High earners should work with financial advisors to optimize tax strategies and diversify investments while navigating the county's competitive housing market.

Safety in Travis County

via CrimeByCounty

Travis County Among the Nation's Safest

Travis County boasts an exceptional safety score of 98.5, making it a national leader in public safety. Its total crime rate of 979.0 per 100K is less than half the national average of 2,385.5.

A Top Performer in the Lone Star State

The county's safety score of 98.5 is notably higher than the Texas state average of 96.8. Law enforcement agencies here manage a crime rate that is substantially lower than the 2052.5 state average.

Setting the Standard for Regional Safety

Compared to counties like Uvalde or Tom Green, Travis County maintains a much lower crime footprint. Its violent crime rate is nearly five times lower than what is reported in Uvalde County.

Violent Crime Rates Remain Exceptionally Low

Violent crime in Travis County sits at just 115.9 per 100K, far below the national average of 369.8. Property crimes make up the bulk of the 979.0 total, but even these remain well below state norms.

Maintaining Safety in a Secure County

While the area is statistically very safe, residents should still practice basic home security. Reporting suspicious activity helps 24 local agencies maintain this high level of community safety.

Weather & Climate in Travis County

via WeatherByCounty

Travis County’s Urban Heat

Travis County averages 68.2°F annually, making it one of the warmer metropolitan areas in the country. This temperature sits roughly 13 degrees above the national median.

Warmer Than the Texas Average

Travis County is hotter than the state average, recording 68.2°F compared to Texas’s 65.5°F. It receives 36.3 inches of rain, which is slightly above the state mean of 31.9 inches.

The Heat Peak of the Hill Country

With 120 extreme heat days, Travis County is often hotter than its higher-elevation neighbors to the west. It marks the transition from the humid coastal plains to the rocky Hill Country.

Endless Summers and Mild Winters

Summer dominates the calendar with 120 days over 90°F and a July average of 84.6°F. Winters are very mild, averaging 51.8°F with almost no measurable snow.

Maximize Cooling Efficiency

Energy audits and high-performance cooling are vital for the 120 days of extreme heat. Since snow is rare at 0.2 inches, focus your budget on sun protection and water-wise landscaping.

Soil Quality in Travis County

via SoilByCounty

Neutral Soils in the Heart of Texas

Travis County features a neutral pH of 7.09, which perfectly aligns with the Texas state average. This level sits slightly above the national median pH of 6.5, providing a balanced environment for most Central Texas landscapes.

A Heavy Clay and Silt Balance

The soil is a heavy mix containing 32.1% clay and 30.6% silt, balanced by 29.0% sand. This high clay content suggests excellent nutrient retention but requires careful management to prevent heavy compaction in urban gardens.

Organic Richness Above State Averages

At 1.84%, the organic matter content in Travis County exceeds the state average of 1.66%. However, the available water capacity of 0.129 in/in is slightly lower than the state benchmark of 0.133 in/in.

Slow Infiltration and Runoff Challenges

While specific drainage classes are not recorded, the county falls into Hydrologic Group D, indicating very slow infiltration rates. This classification means the soil is prone to runoff during the heavy rain events common to the Hill Country.

Lush Possibilities in Zone 9a

The mild 9a hardiness zone allows Travis County gardeners to grow heat-tolerant staples like okra, peppers, and native lantana. With a soil score of 35.1—well above the state average of 28.8—your gardening project has a strong foundation for success.

Lawn Care in Travis County

via LawnByCounty

Central Texas Heat Tests Travis Turf

Travis County matches the Texas average with a lawn difficulty score of 31.9, though it remains much tougher than the national average of 50.0. This Zone 9a region requires specific strategies to handle intense sun and frequent moisture stress.

Record Heat and High Energy Demand

Lawns must survive 120 extreme heat days per year, which is significantly higher than the state average of 105. While 36.3 inches of rain provides a decent baseline, 7,001 growing degree days mean your mower will stay busy for most of the year.

Neutral pH Meets Heavy Clay Layers

The soil pH is nearly perfect at 7.09, sitting at the top edge of the ideal range for nutrient availability. However, the 32.1% clay content can lead to drainage issues and requires careful management to avoid suffocating lawn roots during heavy rains.

A Year of Constant Severe Drought

Travis County has suffered through 53 weeks of drought in the past year, with 100% of the county currently in a severe drought state. Traditional thirsty lawns are difficult to sustain here without strict adherence to local water restrictions and xeriscaping principles.

Warm-Season Specialists Thrives in Austin

St. Augustine and Zoysia are favored for their ability to handle the 9a climate and Austin's specific soil profile. With the last frost usually passing by March 11, early spring offers the best window to establish roots before the 120-day summer heat wave begins.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Travis County's county score?
Travis County, Texas has a composite county score of 37.9 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 Travis County rank among counties in Texas?
Travis County ranks #164 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 Travis County, Texas?
The median annual property tax in Travis County is $7,727, with an effective tax rate of 1.48%. This earns Travis County a tax score of 11.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Travis County?
The median household income in Travis County, Texas is $99,611 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Travis County earns an income score of 94.6/100 on CountyScore.
Is Travis County, Texas a good place to live?
Travis County scores 37.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #164 in Texas. The best way to evaluate Travis 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 Travis County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

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