Town in Parmer County

Living in Bovina, TX

D

596th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 20 of 100

We give Bovina a D. It ranks 596th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and internet access, and trails on education levels and schools. It is a strong pick for people on a budget.

  • Good for people on a budget
  • Affordable
  • Schools scores low (13 of 100)
  • Education levels scores low (3 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Bovina isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthBovina
Where Bovina is in Texas.
Population
1,677-0.7% since 2020
Median rent
$1,03326% lower than Texas
Median home value
$113,70060% lower than Texas
Household income
$48,500Median
Average commute
22 minOne way
Violent crime
423Per 100k, 2025

What it's like to live in Bovina

Bovina is a town in Parmer County. 1,677 people lived here in 2025, down 0.7% from 2020. It is spread out.

The median age is 32.4, 42% of households have children, 68% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $48,500 a year (38% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Bovina

  • Lower rent. Median rent is $1,033, 26% lower than the Texas median.
  • Homes are affordable for local incomes. The median home costs 2.3 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.
  • Short commutes. The average trip to work takes 22 minutes, against 27 across Texas.

Cons of living in Bovina

  • Weaker school ratings. None of the 3 rated campuses earn an A or B from the state.
  • Errands mean a drive. Compared with similar Texas places, fewer homes here are within a mile of a grocery store, pharmacy, park or clinic.
  • Many adults uninsured. 34% of adults 18 to 64 have no health insurance, against 20% statewide.
  • Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of tornadoes, hail and wildfires as very high here.

Who Bovina suits

  • FamiliesNot the best fit: 0% of rated schools earn an A or B and violent crime is 9% higher than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 10% for families.
  • Young professionalsNot the best fit: household income is 38% lower than the Texas median, with 5 restaurants and 0 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 26% for young professionals.
  • RetireesNot the best fit: 34% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 9% higher than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 37% for retirees.
  • Remote workersA reasonable fit: 89% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $1,033 is 26% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 60% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $1,033 is 26% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 82% for people on a budget.

Bovina report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Bovina 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 $1,033, homes cost 2.3x income.

    85 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade C-

    Median household income $48,500, 1.7% unemployed.

    39 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade D-

    3 rated campuses, 0% rated A or B.

    13 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Safety: grade C-

    423 violent crimes per 100k, 242 property crimes per 100k.

    34 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Errands and things to do: grade D

    0 grocery stores, 5 restaurants, 2 parks mapped in town.

    23 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade D+

    Average commute 22 min, 2.2% work from home.

    30 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade F

    11% have a bachelor’s degree.

    3 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade D-

    34% of adults uninsured.

    16 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade D

    68% of homes owner-occupied.

    16 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade C

    89% of homes have broadband.

    46 of 100 vs US towns

Where Bovina stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 11%40 points lower than Texas (52%)
  • Home value to income: 2.3x35% lower than Texas (3.6x)
  • Median rent: $1,03326% lower than Texas ($1,403)

Worse than Texas

  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 11%23 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • Median household income: $48,50038% lower than Texas ($78,476)
  • Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance: 34%14 points higher than Texas (20%)

Cost of living in Bovina

Bovina renters pay a median of $1,033 a month, 26% lower than the statewide median. The usual rule is to spend no more than 30% of income on rent, which means earning around $41,000 a year for a median unit. Right now 11% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $928 for a one-bedroom, $1,214 for a two-bedroom and $1,446 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 $113,700, 60% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $622 before tax, or $696 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 Bovina pays $878 a year, 79% 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 BovinaStudio$9221 bedroom$9282 bedrooms$1,2143 bedrooms$1,4464 bedrooms$1,840
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Parmer County, TX. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent26% lower than Texas$1,033$1,403$1,413
Median home value60% lower than Texas$113,700$283,800$332,700
Home value to income35% lower than Texas2.3x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent40 points lower than Texas11%52%51%
Median property tax per year79% lower than Texas$878$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them5 points higher than Texas68%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas197219921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$696
Mortgage payment
$622
Property tax
$73
Median rent, for comparison
$1,033

Based on a $113,700 home in Bovina, 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 Bovina safe?

In 2025, Bovina Police Department reported 7 violent crimes and 4 property crimes. That works out to 423 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 9% higher than the Texas rate of 387, and 242 property crimes per 100,000, 88% lower than the state rate.

Violent crime is up about 639% 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 Bovina by yearTexas42320212022202320242025

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

Violent crime
423
per 100k, Texas 387
Property crime
242
per 100k, Texas 2,086
Property crimes per 100,000 people in Bovina by yearTexas24220212022202320242025

Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.

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

Schools in Bovina

Bovina has 3 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 Bovina 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
13
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

  • CBovina High SchoolHigh, Bovina ISD78 of 100
  • CBovina MiddleMiddle, Bovina ISD77 of 100
  • FBovina ElementaryElementary, Bovina ISD59 of 100

Daily life in Bovina

Everyday places mapped inside Bovina, from Overture Maps.

The average one-way commute is 22 minutes, 17% shorter than the Texas average. 2% 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 $48,500, income per person is $25,650, unemployment is 1.7% and 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
0
Pharmacies
0
Restaurants
5
Cafes
0
Bars
0
Parks
2
Gyms
0
Hospitals and urgent care
0
Childcare
0
Libraries
0

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income38% lower than Texas$48,500$78,476$80,734
Income per person37% lower than Texas$25,650$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate4 points lower than Texas1.7%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line3 points higher than Texas16%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher23 points lower than Texas11%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher32 points lower than Texas54%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance14 points higher than Texas34%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet2 points lower than Texas89%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute17% lower than Texas22 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home12 points lower than Texas2.2%14%15%
Workers who work from home2.2%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk0%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Bovina

Under 1827%
18 to 3429%
35 to 6431%
65 and over12%

Median age 32.4 years. 42% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White6.9%
Hispanic or Latino92%
Black0%
Asian0%
Other or more than one race0.8%

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

Weather in Bovina

Bovina has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 91°F and January lows about 22°F. There are about 69 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 19 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Bovina20°40°60°80°100°51J56F64M72A80M89J91J90A84S73O60N51DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Friona, 13 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.

Natural hazard risk

FEMA's National Risk Index says river flooding risk is low, hurricane risk is moderate, tornado risk is very 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 floodingLow
  • HurricanesModerate
  • TornadoesVery high
  • HailVery high
  • Heat wavesModerate
  • 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 Bovina

Nearby, Farwell gets a B, Friona gets an A- and Muleshoe 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. BFarwellTown, 1,306 people12 mi
  2. A-FrionaTown, 4,102 people13 mi
  3. BMuleshoeTown, 5,667 people22 mi
  4. B-DimmittTown, 4,107 people32 mi
  5. BHerefordSmall city, 14,840 people35 mi
  6. ASudanTown, 1,154 people37 mi

Living in Bovina: common questions

Is Bovina, TX a good place to live?

We give Bovina a D. It ranks 596th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and internet access, and trails on education levels and schools. It is a strong pick for people on a budget.

How much does it cost to live in Bovina?

Renters in Bovina pay a median of $1,033 a month, 26% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $113,700, 60% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 2.3x 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 $696, including property tax.

Is Bovina safe?

In 2025, Bovina Police Department reported 423 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 9% higher than the Texas rate. Property crime was 242 per 100,000, 88% lower than the Texas rate.

Are the schools good in Bovina?

We found 3 rated public school campuses inside Bovina. 0% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 13 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

Does Bovina flood?

FEMA rates river flooding risk in Bovina as low, and coastal flooding as not rated. Hazards rated high or very high here: tornadoes, 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 Bovina?

Summers in Bovina peak at about 91°F in July, and January nights fall to about 22°F. Expect around 69 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 19 inches of rain.

How long is the commute in Bovina?

The average one-way commute is 22 min, 17% lower than the Texas average. About 2.2% 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.