Wharton's composite score of 64.3 significantly outpaces the national median of 50.0, placing it in the better half of counties nationwide. This 28% advantage reflects a county that delivers solid livability across measured dimensions.
2 / 5
Slightly Below Texas Average
At 64.3, Wharton ranks just shy of Texas's state average of 66.8, placing it in the middle tier among the state's 254 counties. The county remains competitive regionally despite marginal underperformance versus the state norm.
3 / 5
Housing Affordability Shines
Wharton excels in affordability, with a cost score of 77.0 and median home values of $182,700—reasonable for the region. The county's effective tax rate of 1.505% and median rent of $986 per month keep living expenses manageable.
4 / 5
Income Growth Lags Behind
The income score of 26.5 is Wharton's weak point, with median household income of just $66,100 limiting earning potential. Additional data on safety, health, schools, and other factors remains unavailable, leaving a fuller picture incomplete.
5 / 5
Budget-Conscious Families Seeking Stability
Wharton suits families and retirees prioritizing low costs and modest tax burdens over high wages. The county offers a balanced, affordable lifestyle for those not dependent on premium incomes.
Wharton's composite score of 64.3 significantly outpaces the national median of 50.0, placing it in the better half of counties nationwide. This 28% advantage reflects a county that delivers solid livability across measured dimensions.
Slightly Below Texas Average
At 64.3, Wharton ranks just shy of Texas's state average of 66.8, placing it in the middle tier among the state's 254 counties. The county remains competitive regionally despite marginal underperformance versus the state norm.
Housing Affordability Shines
Wharton excels in affordability, with a cost score of 77.0 and median home values of $182,700—reasonable for the region. The county's effective tax rate of 1.505% and median rent of $986 per month keep living expenses manageable.
Income Growth Lags Behind
The income score of 26.5 is Wharton's weak point, with median household income of just $66,100 limiting earning potential. Additional data on safety, health, schools, and other factors remains unavailable, leaving a fuller picture incomplete.
Budget-Conscious Families Seeking Stability
Wharton suits families and retirees prioritizing low costs and modest tax burdens over high wages. The county offers a balanced, affordable lifestyle for those not dependent on premium incomes.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛59.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Wharton County's effective tax rate of 1.505% ranks in the top 30% of U.S. counties, surpassing the national median of 1.1% by a significant margin. The median property tax of $2,749 slightly exceeds the national median of $2,690, despite home values that are 35% lower than the national average.
Above average for Texas
Wharton's 1.505% effective rate ranks in the upper third of Texas counties, exceeding the state average of 1.276% by a notable margin. The median tax of $2,749 is 25% above the state median of $2,193, making Wharton a heavier-taxed county statewide.
Second-highest rate in this Texas cluster
Only Webb County (1.851%) charges more than Wharton's 1.505% rate; Victoria (1.488%) and Wheeler (1.446%) fall just short. Walker, Washington, and Ward counties all provide relief from Wharton's burden.
A $182,700 home means $2,749 yearly
The median Wharton County homeowner pays approximately $2,749 in annual property taxes on a home valued at $182,700. With a mortgage, expect about $3,445 withheld annually; without one, roughly $2,333.
Assessment appeals can offset high rates
With above-average tax rates, Wharton homeowners should verify their assessments against recent comparable sales in their area. If your home's appraised value seems inflated, filing an appeal with the appraisal district can reduce your annual tax bill.
Wharton County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.9% sits just above the state average of 18.1% and comfortably below national affordability thresholds. With median rent at $986 and household income of $66,100—slightly below national average—renters here allocate reasonable housing shares to their budgets.
Reliable affordability in coastal Texas
Wharton ranks near the state average with a 17.9% rent-to-income ratio, positioning it as one of coastal Texas's more affordable counties. The $986 rent aligns with state medians while incomes of $66,100 support manageable affordability.
Affordable edge in rural competition
Wharton's $986 rent ties with Walker County as the region's cheapest, while its $66,100 income exceeds Walker County but trails most other peers. The county offers strong value: rural rents with better household earnings than many agricultural neighbors.
Balanced affordability across housing types
Wharton renters pay $986 monthly (17.9% of income) while homeowners spend $892—making ownership slightly cheaper and more accessible than renting. Median home values of $182,700 sit below the regional average, offering reasonable entry points for buyers.
Solid choice for coastal Texas affordability
Wharton appeals to families seeking coastal proximity without Gulf resort pricing: the 17.9% rent-to-income ratio delivers genuine affordability near the Texas coast. With ownership costs lower than rent and home values around $182,700, the county balances accessibility across both tenure types.
Wharton County's median household income of $66,100 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by about $8,600. This places Wharton in the lower-middle income tier nationally, though many rural and mid-sized Texas counties face similar headwinds.
Above the Texas state median
At $66,100, Wharton's median household income outpaces Texas's state average of $64,737 by roughly $1,400. This modest advantage reflects Wharton's position as a solid middle-income county within the state's diverse economic landscape.
Competitive with nearby rural counties
Wharton's $66,100 income sits between Wheeler County ($67,964) to the north and Wichita County ($62,168) to the west. Among its peer group of Gulf Coast and South Plains counties, Wharton holds a moderate position in earning power.
Housing costs are manageable here
Wharton's rent-to-income ratio of 17.9% is well below the 30% affordability threshold, meaning most households spend less than one-fifth of earnings on rent. With a median home value of $182,700, homeownership remains attainable for many residents earning the county median.
Build wealth with smart planning
Wharton's affordable housing market creates space for residents to invest in retirement accounts, education funds, and long-term savings. Even modest income growth paired with consistent investment discipline can compound significantly over time in this moderate cost-of-living environment.
Residents of Wharton County live 73.7 years on average, about 5.6 years shorter than the U.S. average of 79.3 years. One in four adults (24.0%) report poor or fair health, slightly above the national rate of 21%, suggesting persistent health challenges in the county.
Below Texas average, but not the lowest
At 73.7 years, Wharton's life expectancy falls 0.6 years short of Texas's state average of 74.3 years. The county ranks in the lower half of Texas counties on health outcomes, though it outperforms some rural neighbors in the region.
Wharton outpaces some regional peers
Wharton County's 73.7-year life expectancy beats Wheeler County (71.3 years) and Wilbarger County (71.4 years) but trails Williamson County (80.7 years) by a significant margin. Its 24.0% poor/fair health rate is better than Willacy County's 36.8%, reflecting disparities across the state's diverse regions.
Uninsured and provider gaps persist
One in five Wharton residents (20.6%) lack health insurance, slightly above the state average of 19.8%, while primary care availability at 38 providers per 100,000 trails the better-served counties. Mental health providers are somewhat available at 60 per 100,000, but care coordination remains a challenge in this county.
Find coverage options now
With 20.6% uninsured, Wharton residents should explore coverage through the federal marketplace, Medicaid, or employer plans to reduce costs and improve access to preventive care. Check Healthcare.gov or contact local health departments for enrollment assistance and application deadlines.
With a composite risk score of 83.02, Wharton County faces significantly higher natural disaster risk than the typical U.S. county. This "Relatively Moderate" rating reflects exposure to multiple hazard types that demand preparation and insurance planning.
A higher-risk Texas county
Wharton ranks among the riskier counties in Texas, with a score of 83.02 compared to the state average of 49.00. This makes it one of the counties where residents face elevated exposure across several disaster categories.
Riskier than most Coastal Bend peers
Wharton's risk profile exceeds that of neighboring Willacy County (77.48) and Wilson County (75.54), placing it in a higher-risk tier for the region. Its hurricane exposure particularly outpaces nearby counties, while flood risk remains a shared concern across the coastal area.
Hurricanes and tornadoes pose top threats
Wharton's hurricane risk score of 94.83 is exceptionally high—among the state's most exposed counties—while tornado risk of 72.42 adds a secondary severe weather threat. Flood risk of 69.82 rounds out a trio of serious hazards that shape the county's disaster preparedness needs.
Prioritize wind and flood coverage now
Given Wharton's extreme hurricane exposure, comprehensive homeowners insurance with adequate wind damage coverage is essential. If you live in a flood-prone area, flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program should be a priority—standard homeowners policies do not cover flood damage.