Small city in Brazoria County, part of the Houston metro

Living in Alvin, TX

B-

85th of 192Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people
Overall score 56 of 100
58th of 125 in the Houston area

We give Alvin a B-. It ranks 85th of 192 Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people. It does best on errands and things to do and safety, and trails on getting around and health.

  • Fast-growing
  • Getting around scores low (7 of 100)
  • Education levels scores low (15 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Alvin isSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthAlvin
Where Alvin is in Texas.
Population
30,115+11.7% since 2020
Median rent
$1,21513% lower than Texas
Median home value
$228,70019% lower than Texas
Household income
$71,477Median
Average commute
29 minOne way
Violent crime
128Per 100k, 2025

What it's like to live in Alvin

Alvin sits about 30 miles from downtown Houston, in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands metro. 30,115 people lived here in 2025, up 11.7% from 2020, so it is one of the faster-growing places in Texas. It is spread out.

Places locals use include Pearson Park, Morgan Park and National Oak Park.

The median age is 33.7, 38% of households have children, 61% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $71,477 a year (9% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Alvin

  • Low violent crime. 128 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, 67% lower than the Texas rate.
  • Lower rent. Median rent is $1,215, 13% lower than the Texas median.

Cons of living in Alvin

  • Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of hurricanes and tornadoes as very high here.

Who Alvin suits

  • FamiliesA reasonable fit: 73% of rated schools earn an A or B and violent crime is 67% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 62% for families.
  • Young professionalsA reasonable fit: household income is 9% lower than the Texas median, with 135 restaurants and 12 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 53% for young professionals.
  • RetireesA reasonable fit: 20% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 67% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 67% for retirees.
  • Remote workersA reasonable fit: 93% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $1,215 is 13% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 70% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $1,215 is 13% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 48% for people on a budget.

Alvin report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Alvin 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 $1,215, homes cost 3.2x income.

    60 of 100 vs US cities

  • Jobs and income: grade C+

    Median household income $71,477, 4.2% unemployed.

    49 of 100 vs US cities

  • Schools: grade B

    11 rated campuses, 73% rated A or B.

    64 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Safety: grade B

    128 violent crimes per 100k, 1,200 property crimes per 100k.

    65 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Errands and things to do: grade B+

    10 grocery stores, 135 restaurants, 19 parks mapped in town.

    79 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Getting around: grade F

    Average commute 29 min, 6.7% work from home.

    7 of 100 vs US cities

  • Education levels: grade D-

    20% have a bachelor’s degree.

    15 of 100 vs US cities

  • Health: grade D-

    20% of adults uninsured.

    14 of 100 vs US cities

  • Home ownership: grade D-

    61% of homes owner-occupied.

    15 of 100 vs US cities

  • Internet access: grade C+

    93% of homes have broadband.

    54 of 100 vs US cities

Where Alvin stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Median rent: $1,21513% lower than Texas ($1,403)
  • People below the poverty line: 9.2%5 points lower than Texas (14%)
  • Home value to income: 3.2x12% lower than Texas (3.6x)

Worse than Texas

  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 20%14 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • Vacant homes: 15%6 points higher than Texas (9.4%)
  • Average commute: 29 min10% higher than Texas (27 min)

Cost of living in Alvin

Rent is the cost most newcomers feel first. The median rent in Alvin is $1,215 a month, 13% lower than the Texas median of $1,403. To keep that rent at 30% of income, a household needs to earn about $49,000 a year. Right now 54% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $1,212 for a one-bedroom, $1,319 for a two-bedroom and $1,790 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 $228,700, 19% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $1,252 before tax, or $1,596 with property tax. That is $381 a month more than the median rent, so renting is the cheaper monthly choice unless you plan to stay for years.

Texas has no state income tax, but property taxes are among the highest in the country. The median homeowner in Alvin pays $4,130 a year, about the same as 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 Alvin

Typical rent by apartment size

Fair market rent by bedroom count in AlvinStudio$1,0211 bedroom$1,2122 bedrooms$1,3193 bedrooms$1,7904 bedrooms$2,205
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Brazoria County, TX HUD Metro FMR Area. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent13% lower than Texas$1,215$1,403$1,413
Median home value19% lower than Texas$228,700$283,800$332,700
Home value to income12% lower than Texas3.2x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent2 points higher than Texas54%52%51%
Median property tax per yearAbout the same as Texas$4,130$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them2 points lower than Texas61%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas198519921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$1,596
Mortgage payment
$1,252
Property tax
$344
Median rent, for comparison
$1,215

Based on a $228,700 home in Alvin, 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 Alvin safe?

In 2025, Alvin Police Department reported 39 violent crimes and 367 property crimes. That works out to 128 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 67% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 1,200 property crimes per 100,000, 42% lower than the state rate.

Violent crime is down about 49% 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 Alvin by yearTexas12820212022202320242025

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

Violent crime
128
per 100k, Texas 387
Property crime
1,200
per 100k, Texas 2,086
Property crimes per 100,000 people in Alvin by yearTexas1,20020212022202320242025

Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.

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

Schools in Alvin

Alvin has 11 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 73% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Alvin ISD.

Top-rated campuses include Fairview Junior High. The average rating score across all campuses is 83 out of 100, against a Texas median of 81.

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
64
of 100 vs Texas cities
Average rating
83
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

  • AFairview Junior HighMiddle, Alvin ISD91 of 100
  • BAlvin Junior HighMiddle, Alvin ISD88 of 100
  • BMark Twain ElementaryElementary, Alvin ISD88 of 100
  • BAlvin ElementaryElementary, Alvin ISD84 of 100
  • BAlvin High SchoolHigh, Alvin ISD83 of 100

Best neighborhoods in Alvin

We grade 3 areas inside Alvin. The top three are East Alvin (C), Hillcrest (C) and Southeast Alvin (D+). Use the map to color the city by any grade, or the sliders to rank areas by what you care about.

Loading map
    All 3 Alvin neighborhoods, A to Z

    Daily life in Alvin

    Everyday places mapped inside Alvin, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Pearson Park, Morgan Park, National Oak Park.

    The average one-way commute is 29 minutes, 10% longer than the Texas average. 7% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.

    Downtown Houston is about 30 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Alvin work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

    The median household income is $71,477, income per person is $32,387, unemployment is 4.2% and 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

    Grocery stores
    10
    Pharmacies
    7
    Restaurants
    135
    Cafes
    12
    Bars
    5
    Parks
    19
    Gyms
    10
    Hospitals and urgent care
    6
    Childcare
    12
    Libraries
    2

    Jobs, income and education

    MeasureHereTexasUS
    Median household income9% lower than Texas$71,477$78,476$80,734
    Income per person21% lower than Texas$32,387$40,752$44,673
    Unemployment rate1 points lower than Texas4.2%5.3%5.2%
    People below the poverty line5 points lower than Texas9.2%14%12%
    Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher14 points lower than Texas20%34%36%
    Adults with a high school diploma or higherAbout the same as Texas86%86%90%
    Adults 18 to 64 without health insuranceAbout the same as Texas20%20%11%
    Homes with broadband internet2 points higher than Texas93%91%91%

    Getting to work

    MeasureHereTexasUS
    Average commute10% higher than Texas29 min27 min26 min
    Workers who work from home8 points lower than Texas6.7%14%15%
    Workers who work from home6.7%
    Workers who take transit0.3%
    Workers who walk0.3%
    Workers who bike0.1%

    Who lives in Alvin

    Under 1826%
    18 to 3426%
    35 to 6434%
    65 and over14%

    Median age 33.7 years. 38% of households have children.

    Race and ethnicity
    White48%
    Hispanic or Latino41%
    Black8.1%
    Asian0.6%
    Other or more than one race2.3%

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

    Weather in Alvin

    Alvin has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 91°F and January lows about 44°F. There are about 78 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 55 inches of rain a year.

    Average monthly high and low temperatures in Alvin40°60°80°100°63J67F72M78A85M89J91J91A88S81O72N65DRain

    Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Alvin, 6 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.

    Natural hazard risk

    FEMA's National Risk Index says river flooding risk is high, coastal flooding risk is moderate, hurricane risk is very high, tornado risk is very high and hail risk is moderate. Before you buy, look up the FEMA flood zone for the exact address and get a flood insurance quote, since standard home policies do not cover floods.

    • River floodingHigh
    • Coastal floodingModerate
    • HurricanesVery high
    • TornadoesVery high
    • HailModerate
    • Heat wavesHigh
    • WildfiresModerate
    • Winter stormsLow
    • Strong windModerate

    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 Alvin

    Nearby, Manvel gets a C+, Pearland gets an A and Friendswood gets an A. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.

    1. C+ManvelSmall city, 14,758 people5 mi
    2. APearlandCity, 127,514 people7 mi
    3. AFriendswoodSmall city, 41,030 people8 mi
    4. A-Iowa ColonySmall city, 12,891 people9 mi
    5. A-Brookside VillageTown, 1,565 people10 mi
    6. DArcolaTown, 1,911 people11 mi

    Alvin in the Houston area

    How it ranks among 125 places in the metro.

    1. 1A+Taylor Lake Village3,721 people25 mito downtown
    2. 2A+Bunker Hill Village3,829 people9 mito downtown
    3. 3A+West University Place14,982 people6 mito downtown
    4. 55B-Dickinson21,753 people30 mito downtown
    5. 56B-Katy25,184 people27 mito downtown
    6. 57B-Bellville4,221 people53 mito downtown
    7. 58B-Alvin28,333 people30 mito downtown
    8. 59C+La Porte36,730 people22 mito downtown
    9. 60C+Manvel14,758 people21 mito downtown
    10. 61C+Sheldon2,208 people16 mito downtown

    See all of the best suburbs of houston

    Living in Alvin: common questions

    Is Alvin, TX a good place to live?

    We give Alvin a B-. It ranks 85th of 192 Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people. It does best on errands and things to do and safety, and trails on getting around and health.

    How much does it cost to live in Alvin?

    Median rent in Alvin is $1,215 a month, 13% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $228,700, 19% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 3.2x 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 $1,596, including property tax.

    Is Alvin safe?

    In 2025, Alvin Police Department reported 128 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 67% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 1,200 per 100,000, 42% lower than the Texas rate.

    Are the schools good in Alvin?

    We found 11 rated public school campuses inside Alvin. 73% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 64 of 100 compared with other Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people.

    What are the best neighborhoods in Alvin?

    Based on our scores, the top-rated areas in Alvin are East Alvin, Hillcrest and Southeast Alvin. We score 3 areas in the city.

    Does Alvin flood?

    FEMA rates river flooding risk in Alvin as high, and coastal flooding as moderate. Hazards rated high or very high here: river flooding, hurricanes, tornadoes and heat waves. Always check the flood map for a specific address before you buy.

    What is the weather like in Alvin?

    Summers in Alvin peak at about 91°F in July, and January nights fall to about 44°F. Expect around 78 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 55 inches of rain.

    How long is the commute in Alvin?

    The average one-way commute is 29 min, 10% higher than the Texas average. About 6.7% of workers work from home. It is about 30 miles from downtown Houston.

    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.