Small city in Jim Wells County

Living in Alice, TX

D+

133rd of 192Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people
Overall score 30 of 100

Alice gets an overall grade of D+ and ranks 133rd of 192 Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people. It does best on errands and things to do and cost of living, and trails on internet access and education levels.

  • Jobs and income scores low (18 of 100)
  • Safety scores low (12 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Alice isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthAlice
Where Alice is in Texas.
Population
17,550-1.8% since 2020
Median rent
$93433% lower than Texas
Median home value
$131,10054% lower than Texas
Household income
$48,676Median
Average commute
23 minOne way
Violent crime
456Per 100k, 2025

What it's like to live in Alice

Alice is a small city in Jim Wells County. 17,550 people lived here in 2025, down 1.8% from 2020. It is spread out.

Places locals use include Anderson Park, Veterans Plaza Park and Lake Findley Park.

The median age is 35.4, 41% of households have children, 57% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $48,676 a year (38% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Alice

  • Lower rent. Median rent is $934, 33% lower than the Texas median.

Cons of living in Alice

  • Higher poverty. 31% of people live below the poverty line, against 14% across Texas.
  • Many adults uninsured. 36% of adults 18 to 64 have no health insurance, against 20% statewide.
  • Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of hurricanes, heat waves and hail as very high here.
  • Long, hot summers. Expect about 144 days a year at 90°F or hotter.
  • Spotty home internet. Only 74% of homes have a broadband plan.

Who Alice suits

  • FamiliesNot the best fit: 67% of rated schools earn an A or B and violent crime is 18% higher than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 33% for families.
  • Young professionalsA reasonable fit: household income is 38% lower than the Texas median, with 97 restaurants and 6 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 57% for young professionals.
  • RetireesNot the best fit: 36% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 18% higher than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 21% for retirees.
  • Remote workersNot the best fit: 74% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $934 is 33% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 16% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $934 is 33% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 47% for people on a budget.

Alice report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Alice with other US cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people. Schools, safety and errands compare it with other Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people.

  • Cost of living: grade B

    Median rent $934, homes cost 2.7x income.

    65 of 100 vs US cities

  • Jobs and income: grade D

    Median household income $48,676, 4.1% unemployed.

    18 of 100 vs US cities

  • Schools: grade B-

    6 rated campuses, 67% rated A or B.

    60 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Safety: grade D-

    456 violent crimes per 100k, 2,213 property crimes per 100k.

    12 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Errands and things to do: grade B+

    7 grocery stores, 97 restaurants, 8 parks mapped in town.

    74 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Getting around: grade C+

    Average commute 23 min, 5.7% work from home.

    54 of 100 vs US cities

  • Education levels: grade F

    14% have a bachelor’s degree.

    6 of 100 vs US cities

  • Health: grade F

    36% of adults uninsured.

    8 of 100 vs US cities

  • Home ownership: grade D-

    57% of homes owner-occupied.

    13 of 100 vs US cities

  • Internet access: grade F

    74% of homes have broadband.

    0 of 100 vs US cities

Where Alice stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Median rent: $93433% lower than Texas ($1,403)
  • Home value to income: 2.7x26% lower than Texas (3.6x)
  • Average commute: 23 min14% lower than Texas (27 min)

Worse than Texas

  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 14%20 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • Homes with broadband internet: 74%18 points lower than Texas (91%)
  • People below the poverty line: 31%18 points higher than Texas (14%)

Cost of living in Alice

Rent is the cost most newcomers feel first. The median rent in Alice is $934 a month, 33% lower than the Texas median of $1,403. To keep that rent at 30% of income, a household needs to earn about $37,000 a year. Right now 65% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $775 for a one-bedroom, $1,014 for a two-bedroom and $1,325 for a three-bedroom (fiscal year 2027). These figures include utilities and describe a modest unit, so newer apartments often ask for more.

The median home is worth $131,100, 54% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $718 before tax, or $839 with property tax. That is close to the median rent, so buying can make sense if you plan to stay.

Texas has no state income tax, but it leans on property taxes instead, though they are lighter here than in much of the state. The median homeowner in Alice pays $1,462 a year, 65% lower than the Texas median of $4,232. Budget for it, along with homeowners insurance, which our numbers do not include.

See the full cost of living breakdown for Alice

Typical rent by apartment size

Fair market rent by bedroom count in AliceStudio$7681 bedroom$7752 bedrooms$1,0143 bedrooms$1,3254 bedrooms$1,461
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Jim Wells County, TX. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent33% lower than Texas$934$1,403$1,413
Median home value54% lower than Texas$131,100$283,800$332,700
Home value to income26% lower than Texas2.7x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent14 points higher than Texas65%52%51%
Median property tax per year65% lower than Texas$1,462$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them5 points lower than Texas57%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas197419921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$839
Mortgage payment
$718
Property tax
$122
Median rent, for comparison
$934

Based on a $131,100 home in Alice, 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28% (Freddie Mac average, week of 2026-10-01). Property tax is the median paid locally, or the county median where the local figure is not published. Insurance and fees are not included.

Is Alice safe?

In 2025, Alice Police Department reported 80 violent crimes and 388 property crimes. That works out to 456 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 18% higher than the Texas rate of 387, and 2,213 property crimes per 100,000, 6% higher than the state rate.

Violent crime is down about 30% since 2021, based on the yearly rates below.

Crime rates describe the whole area a police department covers. Some streets are much quieter than the average and some are busier, so look at the neighborhood grades and visit at different times of day.

Violent crimes per 100,000 people in Alice by yearTexas45620212022202320242025

Violent crimes per 100,000 people by year. The dashed line is the Texas rate for 2025.

Violent crime
456
per 100k, Texas 387
Property crime
2,213
per 100k, Texas 2,086
Property crimes per 100,000 people in Alice by yearTexas2,21320212022202320242025

Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.

Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Alice Police Department, 2025. Rates count reported crimes only and cover the area this police department serves.

Schools in Alice

Alice has 6 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 67% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Alice ISD.

Texas districts usually assign students by attendance zone rather than the closest campus, so check the zone for a specific address with the district before you sign a lease or buy.

Schools grade
60
of 100 vs Texas cities
Average rating
82
Texas median 81

Ratings are the 2025 Texas Education Agency A to F accountability ratings. Always check which school serves a specific address with the district.

Top-rated schools

  • BSchallert ElementaryElementary, Alice ISD89 of 100
  • BSaenz ElementaryElementary, Alice ISD88 of 100
  • BDubose ElementaryElementary, Alice ISD83 of 100
  • BAlice High SchoolHigh, Alice ISD80 of 100
  • CAdams MiddleMiddle, Alice ISD77 of 100

Best neighborhoods in Alice

We grade 5 areas inside Alice. The top three are Guerra Estate Addition Colonia (C+), North Hilltop Addition Colonia (C) and Mayes Addition Colonia (C-). If price matters most, Mayes Addition Colonia has the lowest median rent among areas graded C or better, at $680 a month. Guerra Estate Addition Colonia is the priciest, at $820. Use the map to color the city by any grade, or the sliders to rank areas by what you care about.

Loading map
    All 5 Alice neighborhoods, A to Z

    Daily life in Alice

    Everyday places mapped inside Alice, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Anderson Park, Veterans Plaza Park, Lake Findley Park.

    The average one-way commute is 23 minutes, 14% shorter than the Texas average. 6% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.

    The median household income is $48,676, income per person is $26,601, unemployment is 4.1% and 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

    Grocery stores
    7
    Pharmacies
    4
    Restaurants
    97
    Cafes
    6
    Bars
    5
    Parks
    8
    Gyms
    13
    Hospitals and urgent care
    2
    Childcare
    5
    Libraries
    1

    Jobs, income and education

    MeasureHereTexasUS
    Median household income38% lower than Texas$48,676$78,476$80,734
    Income per person35% lower than Texas$26,601$40,752$44,673
    Unemployment rate1 points lower than Texas4.1%5.3%5.2%
    People below the poverty line18 points higher than Texas31%14%12%
    Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher20 points lower than Texas14%34%36%
    Adults with a high school diploma or higher5 points lower than Texas81%86%90%
    Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance16 points higher than Texas36%20%11%
    Homes with broadband internet18 points lower than Texas74%91%91%

    Getting to work

    MeasureHereTexasUS
    Average commute14% lower than Texas23 min27 min26 min
    Workers who work from home9 points lower than Texas5.7%14%15%
    Workers who work from home5.7%
    Workers who take transit0%
    Workers who walk2.0%
    Workers who bike0%

    Who lives in Alice

    Under 1828%
    18 to 3421%
    35 to 6433%
    65 and over18%

    Median age 35.4 years. 41% of households have children.

    Race and ethnicity
    White13%
    Hispanic or Latino84%
    Black1.2%
    Asian1.1%
    Other or more than one race0.7%

    Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.

    Weather in Alice

    Alice has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 97°F and January lows about 47°F. There are about 144 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 27 inches of rain a year.

    Average monthly high and low temperatures in Alice40°60°80°100°68J73F79M86A90M96J97J97A93S87O77N71DRain

    Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Alice, 2 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.

    Natural hazard risk

    FEMA's National Risk Index says river flooding risk is moderate, hurricane risk is very high, tornado risk is high and hail risk is very high. Even in lower-risk areas, check the FEMA flood map for the exact address before you buy.

    • River floodingModerate
    • HurricanesVery high
    • TornadoesHigh
    • HailVery high
    • Heat wavesVery high
    • WildfiresModerate
    • Winter stormsModerate
    • Strong windHigh

    Source: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025, Census tract level averaged for the city. Check the FEMA flood map for any address before you buy.

    Places near Alice

    Nearby, Rancho Alegre gets a B-, Ben Bolt gets a C and San Diego gets a D+. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.

    1. B-Rancho AlegreTown, 1,337 people3 mi
    2. CBen BoltTown, 2,152 people7 mi
    3. D+San DiegoTown, 3,675 people10 mi
    4. B-Orange GroveTown, 1,089 people16 mi
    5. C+BishopTown, 3,103 people20 mi
    6. C-KingsvilleSmall city, 24,994 people22 mi

    Living in Alice: common questions

    Is Alice, TX a good place to live?

    Alice gets an overall grade of D+ and ranks 133rd of 192 Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people. It does best on errands and things to do and cost of living, and trails on internet access and education levels.

    How much does it cost to live in Alice?

    Median rent in Alice is $934 a month, 33% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $131,100, 54% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 2.7x the median household income, compared with 3.6x across Texas. With 20% down at a 7.28% rate, the monthly payment on a median home is about $839, including property tax.

    Is Alice safe?

    In 2025, Alice Police Department reported 456 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 18% higher than the Texas rate. Property crime was 2,213 per 100,000, 6% higher than the Texas rate.

    Are the schools good in Alice?

    We found 6 rated public school campuses inside Alice. 67% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 60 of 100 compared with other Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people.

    What are the best neighborhoods in Alice?

    Based on our scores, the top-rated areas in Alice are Guerra Estate Addition Colonia, North Hilltop Addition Colonia and Mayes Addition Colonia. We score 5 areas in the city.

    Does Alice flood?

    FEMA rates river flooding risk in Alice as moderate, and coastal flooding as not rated. Hazards rated high or very high here: hurricanes, tornadoes, heat waves, hail and strong wind. Always check the flood map for a specific address before you buy.

    What is the weather like in Alice?

    Summers in Alice peak at about 97°F in July, and January nights fall to about 47°F. Expect around 144 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 27 inches of rain.

    How long is the commute in Alice?

    The average one-way commute is 23 min, 14% lower than the Texas average. About 5.7% of workers work from home.

    Sources: US Census Bureau 2020-2024 ACS 5-year and 2025 population estimates, CDC PLACES 2025, Texas Education Agency 2025 ratings, FBI Crime Data Explorer, FEMA National Risk Index, NOAA climate normals, HUD fair market rents, Overture Maps. Updated 2026-10-04. How we grade.