Tyler County's composite score of 70.2 ranks 40% above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper quartile nationally. This strong performance reflects exceptional value in housing and taxes despite below-average incomes.
2 / 5
Outpaces Texas average
At 70.2, Tyler County surpasses the Texas state average of 66.8, ranking in the upper tier among the state's 254 counties. The county delivers above-average livability across measured dimensions.
3 / 5
Lowest taxes and affordable homes
Tyler County posts the highest tax score of 73.2 in this group, with an effective rate of just 1.032%, plus a cost score of 81.3 supporting median home values of $138,400. Monthly rent averaging $951 keeps housing expenses minimal.
4 / 5
Wage potential significantly limited
The income score of 16.5 reflects a median household income of $50,647, the second-lowest in this group and well below state medians. Safety, health, and education data gaps prevent fuller assessment of quality-of-life factors.
5 / 5
Ideal for financially independent residents
Tyler County best suits retirees, remote workers, and those with independent income streams seeking maximum tax efficiency and affordability. The county offers exceptional value for people not reliant on local job markets.
Tyler County's composite score of 70.2 ranks 40% above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper quartile nationally. This strong performance reflects exceptional value in housing and taxes despite below-average incomes.
Outpaces Texas average
At 70.2, Tyler County surpasses the Texas state average of 66.8, ranking in the upper tier among the state's 254 counties. The county delivers above-average livability across measured dimensions.
Lowest taxes and affordable homes
Tyler County posts the highest tax score of 73.2 in this group, with an effective rate of just 1.032%, plus a cost score of 81.3 supporting median home values of $138,400. Monthly rent averaging $951 keeps housing expenses minimal.
Wage potential significantly limited
The income score of 16.5 reflects a median household income of $50,647, the second-lowest in this group and well below state medians. Safety, health, and education data gaps prevent fuller assessment of quality-of-life factors.
Ideal for financially independent residents
Tyler County best suits retirees, remote workers, and those with independent income streams seeking maximum tax efficiency and affordability. The county offers exceptional value for people not reliant on local job markets.
Score breakdown
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🏛73.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Tyler County's effective tax rate of 1.032% is significantly lower than the national median of 1.1%, placing it in the bottom third of U.S. counties for tax burden. The median property tax of $1,428 annually is roughly half the national median of $2,690, reflecting both modest home values and restrained rates.
Among Texas's lowest-tax counties
Tyler County ranks in the bottom 10% of Texas counties by effective tax rate at 1.032%, well below the state average of 1.276%. With a median tax bill of just $1,428—about 65% of the state median—Tyler offers one of Texas's most affordable property tax environments.
Lowest in the East Texas region
Tyler County's 1.032% rate is the lowest among its East Texas neighbors; Hardin County runs 1.09%, Jasper County around 1.12%, and Newton County near 1.15%. This positions Tyler as the region's best option for tax-conscious property owners.
A $138k home costs $1,428 yearly
With a median home value of $138,400 and an effective rate of 1.032%, the typical Tyler County homeowner pays $1,428 in annual property taxes. Those with mortgages see combined annual costs of $1,590.
Verify your assessment is fair
Even in low-tax areas, assessments can occasionally exceed fair market value. Tyler County residents should review their assessment notice and consider appealing if they believe the valuation is too high.
Tyler County's 22.5% rent-to-income ratio ranks worst among these eight counties and significantly exceeds both the national average (20%) and Texas state average (18.1%). With median household income of just $50,647, renters here face the highest housing burden despite rural affordability markers.
Texas's tightest housing squeeze
Tyler County's 22.5% rent-to-income ratio places it among Texas's least affordable regions relative to local earnings, exceeding the state average by 4.4 percentage points. The mismatch between limited income ($50,647) and housing costs ($951 rent) creates outsized financial strain.
Surprisingly expensive for rural East Texas
Tyler's $951 monthly rent falls between Trinity's $823 and Tom Green's $1,125, yet the county's lower median income makes the burden feel heaviest here. Its $138,400 median home value exceeds Trinity's but lags Tom Green's, offering no advantage in affordability.
Rent consumes over one-fifth of income
Tyler County renters pay $951 monthly on a $50,647 annual income—consuming 22.5% before accounting for any other expenses, the worst ratio among peer counties. Homeowners fare slightly better at $651 monthly, but both groups struggle to balance housing against modest local earnings.
Tyler County demands income above local median
Tyler County's housing costs present challenges unless your expected income exceeds the county's $50,647 median substantially. If relocating for a job, negotiate the strongest salary possible—this county's rent-to-income ratio leaves minimal cushion for other living expenses.
Tyler County's median household income of $50,647 sits 32% below the national median of $74,755, among the lowest-earning counties in the country. The county's economy relies heavily on forestry and small-scale agriculture, limiting higher-wage employment opportunities.
Bottom tier of Texas earning counties
Tyler County's $50,647 median income ranks substantially below Texas's state average of $64,737, placing it in the lowest tier of the state's 254 counties. Economic challenges persist despite proximity to larger Texas metros.
Tied for regional economic struggle
Tyler County's $50,647 matches Trinity County ($51,663) as the lowest-earning counties in this analysis, underperforming Upshur County ($62,794) and Titus County ($59,220). Both counties face similar obstacles: limited diversification and population loss to larger urban centers.
Rent burden rising in Tyler County
Tyler County's rent-to-income ratio of 22.5% signals emerging housing affordability stress, approaching the 30% threshold where costs become unsustainable. A median home value of $138,400 stretches thin for households earning the county median of $50,647.
Start small, invest consistently
Tyler County residents face income constraints but can still build wealth through disciplined saving and low-cost investing. Starting with even small monthly contributions to retirement accounts and emergency savings can compound significantly over time, providing financial resilience.
Tyler County's 71.6-year life expectancy falls 2.5 years below the U.S. average of 74.1 years, the lowest among these eight Texas counties. Its 22.6% poor/fair health rate exceeds the national average of 17.9%, reflecting entrenched health challenges in this rural corner of Southeast Texas.
Lowest life expectancy in this Texas cohort
At 71.6 years, Tyler County's life expectancy lags the Texas state average of 74.3 years by 2.7 years, placing it among the state's struggling health communities. Its 19.1% uninsured rate sits just slightly below the state average, indicating healthcare access barriers extend beyond coverage gaps.
Tied with Trinity as health crisis counties
Tyler County and Trinity County (72.1 years) anchor the bottom of life expectancy in this group, both facing severe rural healthcare shortages. Tyler's 25 primary care providers per 100K residents slightly edge Trinity's 15 per 100K, but both counties rank far below state adequacy levels.
Provider desert compounds health challenges
With only 25 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Tyler County residents struggle to find accessible preventive care and chronic disease management. Mental health providers (34 per 100K) are equally scarce, limiting treatment options for depression, anxiety, and other behavioral health conditions.
Check coverage, plan for rural healthcare
Tyler County's 19.1% uninsured rate suggests many residents lack coverage for necessary care in an already provider-scarce region. Visit healthcare.gov to explore Medicaid and marketplace options, and discuss telehealth and care coordination with your local healthcare providers.
Tyler County scores 61.01 on the composite risk index, placing it above the national average for natural disaster exposure. The relatively low risk rating indicates that hazards are present but manageable with adequate preparation and insurance coverage.
Mid-Tier Risk in Texas Rankings
At 61.01, Tyler County exceeds the Texas state average of 49.00, positioning it among the state's moderate-to-higher-risk counties. This elevation reflects the county's location in the hurricane-prone Southeast Texas region and exposure to wildfire activity.
Comparable Risk to Trinity County
Tyler County's score of 61.01 closely mirrors neighboring Trinity County (60.62) and exceeds Upshur County slightly, reflecting shared Southeast Texas coastal exposure. The trio of eastern Texas counties faces similar hurricane and wildfire pressures that distinguish them from inland peers.
Hurricane and Wildfire Are Dominant
Hurricane risk (88.61) is your county's most significant threat, followed by substantial wildfire exposure (85.88) from surrounding timber and brush lands. Tornado activity (70.58) rounds out a trio of seasonal hazards that can occur with overlapping timing in late spring through early fall.
Prioritize Hurricane Coverage Now
Ensure your homeowners insurance includes comprehensive wind and hail protection with deductibles you can afford during claims season. Add flood insurance through the NFIP or private carriers, maintain 30 feet of defensible space around your home for wildfire protection, and keep a battery-powered weather radio and emergency supplies updated through hurricane season.