Town in Fort Bend County, part of the Houston metro

Living in Arcola, TX

D

598th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 20 of 100
96th of 125 in the Houston area

Arcola earns a grade of D on our index, 598th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and errands and things to do, and trails on getting around and home ownership.

  • Fast-growing
  • Getting around scores low (3 of 100)
  • Education levels scores low (15 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Arcola isSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthArcola
Where Arcola is in Texas.
Population
2,499+21.7% since 2020
Median rent
$1,13019% lower than Texas
Median home value
$242,60015% lower than Texas
Household income
$75,086Median
Average commute
35 minOne way
Violent crime
274Per 100k, 2025

What it's like to live in Arcola

Arcola sits about 20 miles from downtown Houston, in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands metro. 2,499 people lived here in 2025, up 21.7% from 2020, so it is one of the faster-growing places in Texas. It is spread out, with mostly newer homes (the median home was built in 2001).

The median age is 26.8, 44% of households have children, 60% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $75,086 a year (4% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Arcola

  • Lower rent. Median rent is $1,130, 19% lower than the Texas median.
  • Growing fast. The population grew 22% from 2020 to 2025, which usually means new homes, shops and jobs.

Cons of living in Arcola

  • Higher unemployment. 11% of the labor force is out of work, against 5.3% statewide.
  • Long commutes. The average trip to work takes 35 minutes, against 27 across Texas.
  • Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of hurricanes and tornadoes as very high here.
  • Long, hot summers. Expect about 122 days a year at 90°F or hotter.

Who Arcola suits

  • FamiliesNot the best fit: violent crime is 29% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 21% for families.
  • Young professionalsNot the best fit: household income is 4% lower than the Texas median, with 15 restaurants and 2 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 25% for young professionals.
  • RetireesA reasonable fit: 24% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 29% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 49% for retirees.
  • Remote workersA reasonable fit: 90% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $1,130 is 19% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 67% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $1,130 is 19% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 60% for people on a budget.

Arcola report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Arcola with other US towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. Schools, safety and errands compare it with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

  • Cost of living: grade B

    Median rent $1,130, homes cost 3.2x income.

    66 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade D+

    Median household income $75,086, 11% unemployed.

    30 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade D+

    Not enough data.

    30 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Safety: grade D+

    274 violent crimes per 100k, 860 property crimes per 100k.

    30 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Errands and things to do: grade C+

    0 grocery stores, 15 restaurants, 0 parks mapped in town.

    53 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade F

    Average commute 35 min, 4.8% work from home.

    3 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade D-

    13% have a bachelor’s degree.

    15 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade D+

    24% of adults uninsured.

    30 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade D-

    60% of homes owner-occupied.

    12 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade C+

    90% of homes have broadband.

    49 of 100 vs US towns

Where Arcola stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 6.0%46 points lower than Texas (52%)
  • Median rent: $1,13019% lower than Texas ($1,403)
  • Home value to income: 3.2x11% lower than Texas (3.6x)

Worse than Texas

  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 13%21 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • Average commute: 35 min31% higher than Texas (27 min)
  • Vacant homes: 16%6 points higher than Texas (9.4%)

Cost of living in Arcola

Rent is the cost most newcomers feel first. The median rent in Arcola is $1,130 a month, 19% lower than the Texas median of $1,403. To keep that rent at 30% of income, a household needs to earn about $45,000 a year. Right now 6% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $1,261 for a one-bedroom, $1,497 for a two-bedroom and $2,017 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 $242,600, 15% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $1,328 before tax, or $1,641 with property tax. That is $511 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 Arcola pays $3,754 a year, 11% lower than the Texas median of $4,232. Budget for it, along with homeowners insurance, which our numbers do not include.

Typical rent by apartment size

Fair market rent by bedroom count in ArcolaStudio$1,2331 bedroom$1,2612 bedrooms$1,4973 bedrooms$2,0174 bedrooms$2,502
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX HUD Metro FMR Area. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent19% lower than Texas$1,130$1,403$1,413
Median home value15% lower than Texas$242,600$283,800$332,700
Home value to income11% lower than Texas3.2x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent46 points lower than Texas6.0%52%51%
Median property tax per year11% lower than Texas$3,754$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them2 points lower than Texas60%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas200119921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$1,641
Mortgage payment
$1,328
Property tax
$313
Median rent, for comparison
$1,130

Based on a $242,600 home in Arcola, 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 Arcola safe?

In 2025, Arcola Police Department reported 7 violent crimes and 22 property crimes. That works out to 274 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 29% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 860 property crimes per 100,000, 59% lower than the state rate.

Violent crime is up about 33% 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 Arcola by yearTexas27420212022202320242025

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

Violent crime
274
per 100k, Texas 387
Property crime
860
per 100k, Texas 2,086
Property crimes per 100,000 people in Arcola by yearTexas86020212022202320242025

Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.

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

Daily life in Arcola

Everyday places mapped inside Arcola, from Overture Maps.

The average one-way commute is 35 minutes, 31% longer than the Texas average. 5% 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 20 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Arcola work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

The median household income is $75,086, income per person is $26,735, unemployment is 11% and 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
0
Pharmacies
0
Restaurants
15
Cafes
2
Bars
0
Parks
0
Gyms
0
Hospitals and urgent care
0
Childcare
0
Libraries
0

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income4% lower than Texas$75,086$78,476$80,734
Income per person34% lower than Texas$26,735$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate6 points higher than Texas11%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty lineAbout the same as Texas13%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher21 points lower than Texas13%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher2 points lower than Texas84%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance4 points higher than Texas24%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet1 points lower than Texas90%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute31% higher than Texas35 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home10 points lower than Texas4.8%14%15%
Workers who work from home4.8%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk0%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Arcola

Under 1833%
18 to 3431%
35 to 6428%
65 and over7.8%

Median age 26.8 years. 44% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White9.9%
Hispanic or Latino69%
Black21%
Asian0%
Other or more than one race0.2%

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

Weather in Arcola

Arcola has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 92°F and January lows about 43°F. There are about 122 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 50 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Arcola40°60°80°100°63J67F72M79A85M90J92J93A89S82O72N65DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Thompsons 3 Wsw, 9 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 very high and hail risk is low. Even in lower-risk areas, check the FEMA flood map for the exact address before you buy.

  • River floodingModerate
  • HurricanesVery high
  • TornadoesVery high
  • HailLow
  • 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 Arcola

Nearby, Sienna gets an A, Fresno gets a D and Missouri City gets a B. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.

  1. ASiennaSmall city, 24,992 people2 mi
  2. DFresnoSmall city, 24,560 people3 mi
  3. BMissouri CityCity, 76,558 people4 mi
  4. A-Iowa ColonySmall city, 12,891 people4 mi
  5. C+ManvelSmall city, 14,758 people6 mi
  6. DFifth StreetTown, 1,453 people8 mi

Arcola 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. 93DPlum Grove1,832 people34 mito downtown
  5. 94DFreeport10,621 people58 mito downtown
  6. 95DWallis1,701 people42 mito downtown
  7. 96DArcola1,911 people20 mito downtown
  8. 97DShepherd2,189 people54 mito downtown
  9. 98DSplendora2,131 people34 mito downtown
  10. 99DChannelview43,605 people16 mito downtown

See all of the best suburbs of houston

Living in Arcola: common questions

Is Arcola, TX a good place to live?

Arcola earns a grade of D on our index, 598th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and errands and things to do, and trails on getting around and home ownership.

How much does it cost to live in Arcola?

Median rent in Arcola is $1,130 a month, 19% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $242,600, 15% 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 $1,641, including property tax.

Is Arcola safe?

In 2025, Arcola Police Department reported 274 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 29% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 860 per 100,000, 59% lower than the Texas rate.

Does Arcola flood?

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

What is the weather like in Arcola?

Summers in Arcola peak at about 92°F in July, and January nights fall to about 43°F. Expect around 122 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 50 inches of rain.

How long is the commute in Arcola?

The average one-way commute is 35 min, 31% higher than the Texas average. About 4.8% of workers work from home. It is about 20 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.