Town in Callahan County, part of the Abilene metro

Living in Baird, TX

C+

384th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 48 of 100
6th of 8 in the Abilene area

We give Baird a C+. It ranks 384th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and getting around, and trails on schools and home ownership. It is a strong pick for remote workers and people on a budget.

  • Good for remote workers
  • Good for people on a budget
  • Affordable
  • Schools scores low (12 of 100)
  • Education levels scores low (20 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Baird isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthBaird
Where Baird is in Texas.
Population
1,532+3.7% since 2020
Median rent
$62256% lower than Texas
Median home value
$76,80073% lower than Texas
Household income
$50,772Median
Average commute
21 minOne way
Violent crime
No dataNo full-year report

What it's like to live in Baird

Baird sits about 20 miles from downtown Abilene, in the Abilene metro. 1,532 people lived here in 2025, up 3.7% from 2020. It is small-town and rural in feel, with an older housing stock (the median home dates to 1952).

The median age is 40.2, 31% of households have children, 70% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $50,772 a year (35% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Baird

  • Lower rent. Median rent is $622, 56% lower than the Texas median.
  • Homes are affordable for local incomes. The median home costs 1.5 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.
  • Short commutes. The average trip to work takes 21 minutes, against 27 across Texas.

Cons of living in Baird

  • Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of tornadoes, hail and wildfires as very high here.

Who Baird suits

  • FamiliesNot the best fit. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 15% for families.
  • Young professionalsA reasonable fit: household income is 35% lower than the Texas median, with 11 restaurants and 0 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 61% for young professionals.
  • RetireesA reasonable fit: 14% of working-age adults are uninsured. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 71% for retirees.
  • Remote workersA reasonable fit: 91% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $622 is 56% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 81% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $622 is 56% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 95% for people on a budget.

Baird report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Baird 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 A+

    Median rent $622, homes cost 1.5x income.

    97 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade C

    Median household income $50,772, 2.3% unemployed.

    43 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade D-

    2 rated campuses, 0% rated A or B.

    12 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Safety: no grade

    No full year of crime data from local police.

    No score vs TX towns

  • Errands and things to do: grade D+

    0 grocery stores, 11 restaurants, 2 parks mapped in town.

    28 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade B-

    Average commute 21 min, 0.4% work from home.

    63 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade D

    15% have a bachelor’s degree.

    20 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade D+

    14% of adults uninsured.

    26 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade D-

    70% of homes owner-occupied.

    15 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade C+

    91% of homes have broadband.

    55 of 100 vs US towns

Where Baird stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Home value to income: 1.5x58% lower than Texas (3.6x)
  • Median rent: $62256% lower than Texas ($1,403)
  • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 35%16 points lower than Texas (52%)

Worse than Texas

  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 15%19 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • Vacant homes: 28%18 points higher than Texas (9.4%)
  • Median household income: $50,77235% lower than Texas ($78,476)

Cost of living in Baird

Rent is the cost most newcomers feel first. The median rent in Baird is $622 a month, 56% lower than the Texas median of $1,403. To keep that rent at 30% of income, a household needs to earn about $25,000 a year. Right now 35% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $1,047 for a one-bedroom, $1,310 for a two-bedroom and $1,702 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 $76,800, 73% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $420 before tax, or $492 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 Baird pays $865 a year, 80% 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 BairdStudio$9581 bedroom$1,0472 bedrooms$1,3103 bedrooms$1,7024 bedrooms$2,013
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Abilene, TX MSA. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent56% lower than Texas$622$1,403$1,413
Median home value73% lower than Texas$76,800$283,800$332,700
Home value to income58% lower than Texas1.5x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent16 points lower than Texas35%52%51%
Median property tax per year80% lower than Texas$865$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them7 points higher than Texas70%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas195219921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$492
Mortgage payment
$420
Property tax
$72
Median rent, for comparison
$622

Based on a $76,800 home in Baird, 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.

Schools in Baird

Baird has 2 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 0% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Baird 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
12
of 100 vs Texas towns
Average rating
71
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

  • CBaird ElementaryElementary, Baird ISD76 of 100
  • DBaird High SchoolOther, Baird ISD66 of 100

Daily life in Baird

Everyday places mapped inside Baird, from Overture Maps.

The average one-way commute is 21 minutes, 20% shorter than the Texas average. 0% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.

Downtown Abilene is about 20 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Baird work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

The median household income is $50,772, income per person is $31,309, unemployment is 2.3% and 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
0
Pharmacies
0
Restaurants
11
Cafes
0
Bars
0
Parks
2
Gyms
0
Hospitals and urgent care
2
Childcare
0
Libraries
0

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income35% lower than Texas$50,772$78,476$80,734
Income per person23% lower than Texas$31,309$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate3 points lower than Texas2.3%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line1 points lower than Texas13%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher19 points lower than Texas15%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higherAbout the same as Texas86%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance6 points lower than Texas14%20%11%
Homes with broadband internetAbout the same as Texas91%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute20% lower than Texas21 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home14 points lower than Texas0.4%14%15%
Workers who work from home0.4%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk1.5%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Baird

Under 1825%
18 to 3417%
35 to 6436%
65 and over22%

Median age 40.2 years. 31% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White81%
Hispanic or Latino10%
Black2.4%
Asian1.3%
Other or more than one race5.4%

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

Weather in Baird

Baird has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 96°F and January lows about 32°F. There are about 105 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 29 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Baird30°50°70°90°57J61F69M78A84M91J96J96A88S78O67N58DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Putnam, 12 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.

Natural hazard risk

FEMA's National Risk Index says river flooding risk is high, hurricane risk is moderate, tornado risk is very high and hail risk is very high. 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
  • HurricanesModerate
  • TornadoesVery high
  • HailVery high
  • Heat wavesHigh
  • WildfiresVery high
  • Winter stormsVery high
  • Strong windVery high

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 Baird

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

  1. CClydeTown, 3,954 people6 mi
  2. A+PotosiTown, 4,322 people17 mi
  3. CAbileneCity, 128,053 people19 mi
  4. BCross PlainsTown, 1,019 people23 mi
  5. B+AlbanyTown, 1,849 people24 mi
  6. BCiscoTown, 3,955 people24 mi

Baird in the Abilene area

How it ranks among 8 places in the metro.

  1. 1A+Potosi4,322 people9 mito downtown
  2. 2B+Merkel2,699 people16 mito downtown
  3. 3BCross Plains1,019 people40 mito downtown
  4. 4B-Hamlin2,011 people38 mito downtown
  5. 5B-Anson2,531 people23 mito downtown
  6. 6C+Baird1,642 people20 mito downtown
  7. 7CClyde3,954 people14 mito downtown
  8. 8CAbilene128,053 people0 mito downtown

See all of the best suburbs of abilene

Living in Baird: common questions

Is Baird, TX a good place to live?

We give Baird a C+. It ranks 384th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and getting around, and trails on schools and home ownership. It is a strong pick for remote workers and people on a budget.

How much does it cost to live in Baird?

Median rent in Baird is $622 a month, 56% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $76,800, 73% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 1.5x 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 $492, including property tax.

Are the schools good in Baird?

We found 2 rated public school campuses inside Baird. 0% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 12 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

Does Baird flood?

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

What is the weather like in Baird?

Summers in Baird peak at about 96°F in July, and January nights fall to about 32°F. Expect around 105 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 29 inches of rain.

How long is the commute in Baird?

The average one-way commute is 21 min, 20% lower than the Texas average. About 0.4% of workers work from home. It is about 20 miles from downtown Abilene.

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.