CountyScore

Waller County

Texas · TX

#197 in Texas
58.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Waller County, Texas

Waller Exceeds National Benchmarks

Waller County scores 62.0 on the composite index, exceeding the national median of 50.0 by 12 points and placing it in the upper half of U.S. counties. The score falls short of Texas's state average of 66.8, indicating solid but below-average state performance.

Below Average for Texas

Waller's score of 62.0 ranks below the Texas state average of 66.8, placing it in the lower-middle tier of the state's 254 counties. The county has room to improve several dimensions to match state standards.

Strong Income Potential

Waller's income score of 33.1 is the highest among these eight counties, driven by a median household income of $76,135 that exceeds both state and national averages. This higher earning potential attracts families seeking better financial security and economic opportunity.

Housing Costs and Taxes Rise

The cost score of 67.7 reflects Waller's higher median home value of $292,000 and gross rent of $1,210 monthly—making it pricier than peers. The tax score of 64.0 with a 1.360% effective rate rounds out the cost pressures; missing data on safety, health, and schools further limits assessment.

For Higher-Income Professionals

Waller County appeals to established professionals and dual-income families with above-average earnings who can afford higher home prices and rents. The strong income profile makes the elevated housing costs manageable for the right household.

Score breakdown

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

Tax64Cost67.7SafetyComing SoonHealth58.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome33.1Risk29.7WaterComing Soon
🏛64
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠67.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼33.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤58.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡29.7
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 Waller County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Fulton County
Georgia
58.4
Median income: $91,490
Montgomery County
Maryland
58.4
Median income: $128,733
Ingham County
Michigan
58.4
Median income: $64,354
Shelby County
Tennessee
58.4
Median income: $62,337
Gregg County
Texas
58.4
Median income: $64,809

Deep Dives

Waller County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Waller County

via TaxByCounty

Waller's taxes run steep by U.S. standards

Waller County's effective tax rate of 1.360% markedly exceeds the national median of 1.1%, landing it in the top 25% of U.S. counties for property tax burden. The median property tax of $3,971 is nearly 48% higher than the national median of $2,690, reflecting both rate and home value.

Well above Texas average

Waller's 1.360% effective rate ranks in the top third of Texas counties, beating the state average of 1.276% by a meaningful margin. The median tax of $3,971 is the highest among these eight counties and 81% above the Texas state median of $2,193.

Second-highest tax burden in region

Only Webb County's 1.851% rate surpasses Waller's 1.360% effective tax rate among nearby counties. Victoria (1.488%), Wharton (1.505%), and Wheeler (1.446%) all fall below Waller, while Ward County at 0.600% is substantially lighter.

A $292,000 home means $3,971 yearly

The median Waller County homeowner pays approximately $3,971 annually on a $292,000 property—the highest median tax in this county set. With a mortgage, expect about $4,746 withheld; without one, roughly $3,234.

High taxes make assessment appeals worthwhile

With the highest median tax bill of any county here, Waller homeowners should prioritize verification of their assessments. One assessment error can cost thousands over several years; a formal appeal costs little and could yield significant refunds.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Waller County

via CostByCounty

Waller's strong incomes buffer rising housing costs

Waller County's rent-to-income ratio of 19.1% sits slightly above Texas's 18.1% average but remains manageable given the county's median household income of $76,135—above both the state and national averages. The trade-off is clear: higher rents at $1,210 monthly are offset by stronger household earnings.

Premium pricing reflects Houston suburban pull

Waller's 19.1% rent-to-income ratio and $1,210 median rent rank it among Texas's pricier counties, reflecting its position as a growing Houston suburb. Yet the county's $76,135 median income—above the state norm—keeps affordability manageable despite premium housing costs.

Most expensive but best-paid in the cluster

Waller County commands the highest rents ($1,210) and mortgage costs ($1,225) among its peers, yet residents earn the strongest median income at $76,135. The county's median home value of $292,000 reflects Houston-area growth and demand for suburban space.

Ownership costs rival or exceed rent

In Waller, median ownership costs of $1,225 actually exceed median rent at $1,210—an unusual pattern reflecting high property values of $292,000. Renters spend 19.1% of income on housing while buyers allocate about 19.3%, making the county roughly balanced between tenure types in affordability terms.

Houston suburb for well-compensated migrants

Waller works best for relocators with incomes near or above the county median of $76,135, who can absorb rents at $1,210 and home prices at $292,000. The county's proximity to Houston's job market and relatively balanced affordability make it attractive for suburban living without Houston's intensity.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Waller County

via IncomeByCounty

Waller matches national earning levels

Waller County's median household income of $76,135 edges just slightly above the national median of $74,755, placing it in line with typical American household earnings. This near-parity suggests Waller's economy benefits from broader national income patterns.

Top performer in Texas

Waller's $76,135 median household income significantly exceeds Texas's state average of $64,737 by roughly $11,400, ranking it among the state's highest-earning counties. Per capita income of $33,960 also surpasses the state average of $33,197, indicating robust earning distribution.

Leader among regional peers

Waller's $76,135 median income ranks highest or tied-highest among all eight comparison counties, surpassing Washington ($75,085) and outpacing all others significantly. The county stands as an economic anchor for the region.

Strong income despite elevated home costs

Waller's 19.1% rent-to-income ratio remains comfortably within affordability guidelines despite median home values reaching $292,000—the region's highest. The county's strong incomes offset rising real estate values, preserving household purchasing power.

Waller: leverage strength for wealth building

With income above national levels and healthy housing ratios, Waller residents possess ideal conditions for aggressive wealth strategies including real estate investment, portfolio diversification, and education funding. Financial advisors can help design tax-efficient plans to compound these advantages.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Waller County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy above U.S. average

Waller County residents live to 75.9 years on average, more than one year above the U.S. median of 74.5 years. Just 21.5% report poor or fair health—below the national average—indicating that Waller's residents enjoy both longevity and relatively good day-to-day wellness.

Among Texas's healthier counties

At 75.9 years, Waller's life expectancy tops Texas's 74.3-year average by 1.6 years, positioning the county in the upper tier statewide. The uninsured rate of 18.3% is the lowest among these eight counties and well below the state average of 19.8%.

Healthiest uninsured rate in the group

Waller's 18.3% uninsured rate stands as the second-lowest in this eight-county peer group, trailing only Washington County (16.3%). Its 75.9-year life expectancy places it solidly in the upper half, supported by strong insurance coverage and moderate provider access.

Limited primary care, sparse mental health

Waller has just 12 primary care providers per 100,000—well below the national standard of 55—creating wait times and travel distances for routine care. Mental health providers are scarce at 32 per 100,000, yet the county's low uninsured rate (18.3%) helps residents access available services affordably.

Keep coverage that serves you well

Waller County leads the eight-county group in insurance coverage, with only 1 in 5 residents uninsured. Maintain your plan through annual review at Healthcare.gov or your employer to sustain this advantage.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Waller County

via RiskByCounty

Waller's Moderate Risk Standing

Waller County scores 70.26 on the composite risk scale, ranking as relatively low while exceeding the Texas state average of 49.00 by 21 points. This positions Waller above the national median, indicating meaningful but manageable disaster exposure.

Waller's Rank in Texas

Waller County ranks in the upper-middle tier of Texas counties for overall disaster risk, with its 70.26 score comfortably above the state average. The county faces above-average multi-hazard exposure compared to most Texas locations.

Waller Among Local Peers

Waller's 70.26 score sits between Walker County (73.82) and Washington County (71.98), placing it in a cluster of similarly elevated-risk Southeast Texas counties. All three counties exceed the state average substantially, reflecting the region's collective vulnerability.

Waller's Major Hazard Threats

Tornadoes dominate Waller's risk profile with a score of 90.20, followed by hurricane exposure at 83.27 and wildfire risk at 70.71. Flooding reaches 65.65 while earthquake risk remains minimal at 28.53.

Safeguarding Your Waller Home

Tornado readiness is critical—identify a safe room or basement shelter and practice your family's action plan regularly. Secure windstorm insurance for hurricane protection, maintain your roof and gutters, and clear vegetation around your home to reduce exposure to wind-driven debris during severe weather events.

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.