City in Harris County, part of the Houston metro

Living in Baytown, TX

F

71st of 75Texas cities of 50,000+ people
Overall score 7 of 100
110th of 125 in the Houston area

Baytown earns a grade of F on our index, 71st of 75 Texas cities of 50,000+ people. It does best on cost of living and internet access, and trails on education levels and health.

  • Affordable
  • Jobs and income scores low (8 of 100)
  • Schools scores low (19 of 100)
An image of the Fred Hartman Bridge.
Photo: Patrick Feller, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Population
86,561+1.2% since 2020
Median rent
$1,3077% lower than Texas
Median home value
$197,30030% lower than Texas
Household income
$59,910Median
Average commute
25 minOne way
Violent crime
399Per 100k, 2025

About Baytown

Baytown sits on the upper end of Galveston Bay about 26 miles east of Houston, mostly in Harris County with a piece reaching into Chambers County. Cedar Bayou marks its east side and Interstate 10 runs along the north. The city came together from three oil towns. Goose Creek grew around an oil field found in 1916, Pelly and East Baytown followed, and the three merged into Baytown in 1948.

Industry runs the local economy. ExxonMobil's Baytown complex, home to one of the largest refineries in the country, is the best known, with Chevron Phillips and Covestro also running big chemical plants nearby. I-10, State Highway 146 and the Grand Parkway are the main roads, and the Fred Hartman Bridge carries SH 146 over the Houston Ship Channel toward La Porte. Lee College is the local community college. The Baytown Nature Center covers about 450 acres on the water, and the Lynchburg Ferry still crosses the San Jacinto River.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

What it's like to live in Baytown

Baytown sits about 25 miles from downtown Houston, in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands metro. 86,561 people lived here in 2025, up 1.2% from 2020. It is suburban.

Places locals use include Jenkins Park, Hollaway (JC) Park and W.C. Britton Park.

The median age is 34.0, 37% of households have children, 52% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $59,910 a year (24% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Baytown

No clear standouts in our data.

Cons of living in Baytown

  • Weaker school ratings. Only 36% of the 25 rated campuses earn an A or B from the state.
  • Higher unemployment. 10% of the labor force is out of work, against 5.3% statewide.
  • Many adults uninsured. 26% of adults 18 to 64 have no health insurance, against 20% statewide.
  • Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of hurricanes, tornadoes and heat waves as very high here.

Who Baytown suits

  • FamiliesNot the best fit: 36% of rated schools earn an A or B and violent crime is about the same as the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 9% for families.
  • Young professionalsNot the best fit: household income is 24% lower than the Texas median, with 346 restaurants and 17 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 6% for young professionals.
  • RetireesNot the best fit: 26% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is about the same as the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 18% for retirees.
  • Remote workersNot the best fit: 92% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $1,307 is 7% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 39% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $1,307 is 7% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 59% for people on a budget.

Baytown report card

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

  • Cost of living: grade A-

    Median rent $1,307, homes cost 3.3x income.

    80 of 100 vs US cities

  • Jobs and income: grade F

    Median household income $59,910, 10% unemployed.

    8 of 100 vs US cities

  • Schools: grade D

    25 rated campuses, 36% rated A or B.

    19 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Safety: grade D

    399 violent crimes per 100k, 2,370 property crimes per 100k.

    22 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Errands and things to do: grade C-

    19 grocery stores, 346 restaurants, 59 parks mapped in town.

    38 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Getting around: grade D

    Average commute 25 min, 5.8% work from home.

    18 of 100 vs US cities

  • Education levels: grade F

    15% have a bachelor’s degree.

    5 of 100 vs US cities

  • Health: grade F

    26% of adults uninsured.

    7 of 100 vs US cities

  • Home ownership: grade D

    52% of homes owner-occupied.

    21 of 100 vs US cities

  • Internet access: grade C-

    92% of homes have broadband.

    39 of 100 vs US cities

Where Baytown stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Home value to income: 3.3x9% lower than Texas (3.6x)
  • Median rent: $1,3077% lower than Texas ($1,403)
  • Average commute: 25 min5% lower than Texas (27 min)

Worse than Texas

  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 15%19 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • Homes owned by the people living in them: 52%10 points lower than Texas (63%)
  • Median household income: $59,91024% lower than Texas ($78,476)

Cost of living in Baytown

Rent is the cost most newcomers feel first. The median rent in Baytown is $1,307 a month, 7% lower than the Texas median of $1,403. To keep that rent at 30% of income, a household needs to earn about $52,000 a year. Right now 51% 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 $197,300, 30% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $1,080 before tax, or $1,345 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 Baytown pays $3,175 a year, 25% 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 Baytown

Typical rent by apartment size

Fair market rent by bedroom count in BaytownStudio$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 rent7% lower than Texas$1,307$1,403$1,413
Median home value30% lower than Texas$197,300$283,800$332,700
Home value to income9% lower than Texas3.3x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rentAbout the same as Texas51%52%51%
Median property tax per year25% lower than Texas$3,175$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them10 points lower than Texas52%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas198119921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$1,345
Mortgage payment
$1,080
Property tax
$265
Median rent, for comparison
$1,307

Based on a $197,300 home in Baytown, 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 Baytown safe?

In 2025, Baytown Police Department reported 344 violent crimes and 2,042 property crimes. That works out to 399 violent crimes per 100,000 people, about the same as the Texas rate of 387, and 2,370 property crimes per 100,000, 14% higher than the state rate.

Violent crime has been fairly steady since 2021.

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 Baytown by yearTexas39920212022202320242025

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

Violent crime
399
per 100k, Texas 387
Property crime
2,370
per 100k, Texas 2,086
Property crimes per 100,000 people in Baytown by yearTexas2,37020212022202320242025

Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.

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

Schools in Baytown

Baytown has 25 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 36% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Goose Creek CISD and Bob Hope School.

Top-rated campuses include Impact Early College High School, Bob Hope El School-Baytown and Stuart Career Tech High School. The average rating score across all campuses is 77 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
19
of 100 vs Texas cities
Average rating
77
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

  • AImpact Early College High SchoolHigh, Goose Creek CISD96 of 100
  • ABob Hope El School-BaytownElementary, Bob Hope School94 of 100
  • AStuart Career Tech High SchoolHigh, Goose Creek CISD90 of 100
  • BClark ElementaryElementary, Goose Creek CISD87 of 100
  • BSterling High SchoolHigh, Goose Creek CISD87 of 100

Best neighborhoods in Baytown

We grade 10 areas inside Baytown. The top three are Northeast Baytown (C+), North Baytown (C) and Goose Creek Reserve (C-). If price matters most, North Baytown has the lowest median rent among areas graded C or better, at $1,380 a month. Northeast Baytown is the priciest, at $1,730. Use the map to color the city by any grade, or the sliders to rank areas by what you care about.

Loading map

    Rank Baytown neighborhoods your way

    What matters to you?

    Move a slider and the list re-ranks right away.

    Most
    A lot
    Most
    A lot
    A lot
    A lot
    Some
    A lot
    Some
    A little

    The grade is our overall grade. Fit shows how well each one matches your sliders, from 0 to 100, against the others in this list.

    10 Baytown neighborhoods, ranked by your priorities
    1. 1C+Northeast Baytown5,782 people, median rent $1,730, home $295,000100fit
    2. 2CNorth Baytown1,588 people, median rent $1,380, home $171,00089fit
    3. 3C-Goose Creek Reserve12,080 people, median rent $1,490, home $222,00078fit
    4. 4DCentral Baytown28,500 people, median rent $1,270, home $179,00067fit
    5. 5DCountry Club Oaks3,855 people, median rent $1,250, home $201,00056fit
    6. 6D-West Baytown2,977 people, median rent $1,360, home $225,00044fit
    7. 7D-Northwest Baytown6,686 people, median rent $1,600, home $245,00033fit
    8. 8D-Rolling Creek Estates10,087 people, median rent $1,170, home $226,00022fit
    9. 9D-Southwest Baytown5,062 people, median rent $1,090, home $103,00011fit
    10. 10FSouth Baytown4,792 people, median rent $1,200, home $201,0000fit
    All 10 Baytown neighborhoods, A to Z

    Daily life in Baytown

    Everyday places mapped inside Baytown, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Jenkins Park, Hollaway (JC) Park, W.C. Britton Park.

    The average one-way commute is 25 minutes, 5% 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.

    Downtown Houston is about 25 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Baytown work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

    The median household income is $59,910, income per person is $29,957, unemployment is 10% and 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

    Grocery stores
    19
    Pharmacies
    14
    Restaurants
    346
    Cafes
    17
    Bars
    30
    Parks
    59
    Gyms
    29
    Hospitals and urgent care
    25
    Childcare
    14
    Libraries
    3

    Jobs, income and education

    MeasureHereTexasUS
    Median household income24% lower than Texas$59,910$78,476$80,734
    Income per person26% lower than Texas$29,957$40,752$44,673
    Unemployment rate5 points higher than Texas10%5.3%5.2%
    People below the poverty line4 points higher than Texas18%14%12%
    Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher19 points lower than Texas15%34%36%
    Adults with a high school diploma or higher7 points lower than Texas79%86%90%
    Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance6 points higher than Texas26%20%11%
    Homes with broadband internetAbout the same as Texas92%91%91%

    Getting to work

    MeasureHereTexasUS
    Average commute5% lower than Texas25 min27 min26 min
    Workers who work from home9 points lower than Texas5.8%14%15%
    Workers who work from home5.8%
    Workers who take transit0.6%
    Workers who walk0.7%
    Workers who bike0.0%

    Who lives in Baytown

    Under 1828%
    18 to 3424%
    35 to 6437%
    65 and over12%

    Median age 34.0 years. 37% of households have children.

    Race and ethnicity
    White28%
    Hispanic or Latino52%
    Black15%
    Asian2.2%
    Other or more than one race3.6%

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

    Weather in Baytown

    Baytown has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 92°F and January lows about 41°F. There are about 84 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 65 inches of rain a year.

    Average monthly high and low temperatures in Baytown40°60°80°100°63J66F72M78A84M89J92J92A88S82O71N64DRain

    Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Baytown, 11 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 high, hurricane risk is very high, tornado risk is very high and hail risk is low. 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 floodingHigh
    • HurricanesVery high
    • TornadoesVery high
    • HailLow
    • Heat wavesVery high
    • WildfiresModerate
    • Winter stormsLow
    • Strong windLow

    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 Baytown

    Nearby, Beach City gets a C, Highlands gets an F and La Porte 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. CBeach CityTown, 3,309 people7 mi
    2. FHighlandsTown, 6,335 people7 mi
    3. C+La PorteSmall city, 36,730 people8 mi
    4. B+Mont BelvieuTown, 9,020 people9 mi
    5. B+ShoreacresTown, 1,580 people10 mi
    6. DBarrettTown, 3,273 people10 mi

    Baytown 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. 107D-San Felipe1,334 people43 mito downtown
    5. 108D-Prairie View8,431 people41 mito downtown
    6. 109FBacliff9,541 people31 mito downtown
    7. 110FBaytown85,205 people25 mito downtown
    8. 111FStowell1,823 people61 mito downtown
    9. 112FWaller3,108 people38 mito downtown
    10. 113FSouth Houston16,033 people13 mito downtown

    See all of the best suburbs of houston

    Living in Baytown: common questions

    Is Baytown, TX a good place to live?

    Baytown earns a grade of F on our index, 71st of 75 Texas cities of 50,000+ people. It does best on cost of living and internet access, and trails on education levels and health.

    How much does it cost to live in Baytown?

    Median rent in Baytown is $1,307 a month, 7% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $197,300, 30% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 3.3x 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 $1,345, including property tax.

    Is Baytown safe?

    In 2025, Baytown Police Department reported 399 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 3% higher than the Texas rate. Property crime was 2,370 per 100,000, 14% higher than the Texas rate.

    Are the schools good in Baytown?

    We found 25 rated public school campuses inside Baytown. 36% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 19 of 100 compared with other Texas cities of 50,000+ people.

    What are the best neighborhoods in Baytown?

    Based on our scores, the top-rated areas in Baytown are Northeast Baytown, North Baytown and Goose Creek Reserve. We score 10 areas in the city.

    Does Baytown flood?

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

    What is the weather like in Baytown?

    Summers in Baytown peak at about 92°F in July, and January nights fall to about 41°F. Expect around 84 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 65 inches of rain.

    How long is the commute in Baytown?

    The average one-way commute is 25 min, 5% lower than the Texas average. About 5.8% of workers work from home. It is about 25 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.