Travis County's composite score of 51.3 marginally exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it at the national midpoint. Despite being home to Texas's capital and a thriving tech hub, the county's overall livability score reflects high costs that offset income advantages.
2 / 5
Below average for Texas
Travis County scores 51.3, significantly below Texas's average of 66.8, ranking it in the lower half statewide despite Austin's economic prominence. Higher-cost living undercuts what would otherwise be strong performance.
3 / 5
Strong incomes drive earnings potential
With a median household income of $97,169 and an income score of 46.8, Travis County offers the highest earning power among these eight counties. This reflects the region's robust job market and concentration of high-wage industries.
4 / 5
Cost of living significantly elevated
Travis County's cost score of just 46.6 signals affordability challenges, with median home values reaching $487,600 and monthly rent at $1,669. These figures place housing costs among the nation's highest, straining even high-income households.
5 / 5
For high earners willing to invest
Travis County suits professionals and established entrepreneurs with substantial incomes seeking Austin's vibrant economy and urban lifestyle. The county demands financial capacity, but rewards it with career opportunity and cultural vitality.
Travis County's composite score of 51.3 marginally exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it at the national midpoint. Despite being home to Texas's capital and a thriving tech hub, the county's overall livability score reflects high costs that offset income advantages.
Below average for Texas
Travis County scores 51.3, significantly below Texas's average of 66.8, ranking it in the lower half statewide despite Austin's economic prominence. Higher-cost living undercuts what would otherwise be strong performance.
Strong incomes drive earnings potential
With a median household income of $97,169 and an income score of 46.8, Travis County offers the highest earning power among these eight counties. This reflects the region's robust job market and concentration of high-wage industries.
Cost of living significantly elevated
Travis County's cost score of just 46.6 signals affordability challenges, with median home values reaching $487,600 and monthly rent at $1,669. These figures place housing costs among the nation's highest, straining even high-income households.
For high earners willing to invest
Travis County suits professionals and established entrepreneurs with substantial incomes seeking Austin's vibrant economy and urban lifestyle. The county demands financial capacity, but rewards it with career opportunity and cultural vitality.
Score breakdown
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🏛59.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
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.
Travis County's rent-to-income ratio of 20.6% exceeds both the national average (20%) and Texas's state average (18.1%), reflecting Austin's booming real estate market. Despite median household income of $97,169—the highest among these eight counties—renters still spend above-average shares of earnings on housing.
Austin's affordability crisis in numbers
Travis County ranks among Texas's least affordable regions, with a rent-to-income ratio 2.5 percentage points above the state average and median rent running 73% higher than the state norm. The county's $1,669 monthly rent reflects Austin's status as one of Texas's most competitive housing markets.
Dramatically more expensive than all peers
Travis County's $1,669 median rent dwarfs every other county studied—nearly double Tom Green's $1,125 and triple Upton's $689. Its $487,600 median home value is 2.6 times higher than Tom Green's, reflecting the Austin metro's outsized position in Texas real estate.
Austin's dual housing squeeze
Renters pay $1,669 monthly while owners carry a $2,043 mortgage—an unusually high owner cost that exceeds rents by 22%. Even Austin's above-average $97,169 income can't fully offset these elevated housing costs, which together consume over one-fifth of household budgets.
Moving to Austin? Budget accordingly.
Travis County offers high incomes but demands premium housing prices—your rent could easily claim a fifth of gross pay unless you earn substantially above the county median. Weigh Austin's job market and lifestyle appeal against these costs before relocating; significantly lower-cost counties exist elsewhere in Texas.
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.
At 80.4 years, Travis County's life expectancy towers over the U.S. average of 74.1 years—a stunning 6.3-year advantage that reflects Austin's educated, affluent population. Only 17% of residents report poor/fair health, better than the national average of 17.9%, signaling both longevity and daily wellness.
Texas's health leader by every measure
Travis County's 80.4-year life expectancy crushes the state average of 74.3 years, ranking it among the healthiest counties in Texas. Its 12.8% uninsured rate—the lowest among these eight counties—reflects high income and education levels that support comprehensive health coverage.
Travis County health lead is unmatched
Travis County's 80.4-year life expectancy leaves all neighbors far behind: Titus County (74.5), Tom Green County (74.9), and rural counties like Trinity (72.1) and Tyler (71.6) trail by 6-9 years. Its 84 primary care providers and 403 mental health providers per 100K residents reflect an unparalleled healthcare infrastructure.
Lowest uninsured rate, highest provider density
Travis County's 12.8% uninsured rate is less than two-thirds the state average, meaning most residents can access care without barriers. With 84 primary care providers and 403 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, Travis offers healthcare density that rivals major metropolitan areas nationwide.
Even in health-leading Travis County, confirm your coverage remains active and explore options if you're among the 12.8% uninsured. With robust local options, navigating healthcare.gov or consulting local providers can help you maximize access to Austin's exceptional care ecosystem.
Travis County's composite risk score of 97.74 places it among the highest-risk counties nationally, significantly above the U.S. average. The county's relatively high risk rating reflects substantial exposure to flooding, tornadoes, wildfires, and hurricanes—a complex hazard profile that affects residents across all geographies.
Highest-Risk County in Texas
Travis County's score of 97.74 nearly doubles the Texas state average of 49.00, making it the clear outlier for disaster risk statewide. This elevation is driven by exceptional exposure to tornadoes (99.68), flooding (98.35), and wildfires (90.84)—hazards that affect the Austin metropolitan area and surrounding communities regularly.
Dramatically Riskier Than Surrounding Areas
Travis County's 97.74 score vastly exceeds neighboring counties like Blanco, Bastrop, and Hays, positioning it as the region's hazard hotspot. Even compared to other Texas metros, Travis faces elevated multi-hazard exposure that reflects its geography along tornado corridors and flash-flood-prone waterways.
Critical Threats Requiring Immediate Action
Tornado risk (99.68) is exceptionally high—among the nation's worst—followed by flooding (98.35) from the area's creek and river systems and wildfire risk (90.84) from surrounding Hill Country woodlands. These three hazards create overlapping seasonal threats that can strike with little notice, demanding robust preparation and insurance coverage.
Essential Protection for Travis County
Invest in a safe room or reinforced shelter rated for high-wind and tornado impact; many Travis County homes lack this critical protection. Purchase flood insurance immediately through the NFIP or private insurers—flash flooding is frequent and often exceeds standard homeowners coverage limits, and verify your policy includes tornado coverage with minimal deductibles.