City in Brazos County, part of the College Station metro

Living in Bryan, TX

D+

58th of 75Texas cities of 50,000+ people
Overall score 28 of 100
5th of 7 in the College Station area

Bryan gets an overall grade of D+ and ranks 58th of 75 Texas cities of 50,000+ people. It does best on getting around and cost of living, and trails on health and internet access.

  • Short commutes
  • Health scores low (5 of 100)
  • Home ownership scores low (17 of 100)
Main Street in Downtown Bryan, Texas
Photo: Justin6898, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Population
91,996+9.6% since 2020
Median rent
$1,19515% lower than Texas
Median home value
$227,80020% lower than Texas
Household income
$59,289Median
Average commute
19 minOne way
Violent crime
287Per 100k, 2025

About Bryan

Bryan and College Station grew into one metro area, and Bryan is the older half. It is the seat of Brazos County in the Brazos Valley, a few miles northeast of the Brazos River. The town is named for William Joel Bryan, a nephew of Stephen F. Austin, who gave land to the Houston and Texas Central Railroad in 1859. Bryan became county seat in 1866, the trains arrived in 1867, and the city incorporated in 1871.

Texas A&M University, right next door in College Station, is the area's largest employer by far, and Blinn College has a campus here too. State Highway 6, called the Earl Rudder Freeway, is the main road through town, with State Highway 21, State Highway 47 and US 190 also crossing Bryan. Downtown Bryan is a historic district with old brick storefronts. Lake Bryan sits to the northwest, and Messina Hof Winery and the Brazos Valley Museum of Natural Science are well known local stops.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org, tshaonline.org

What it's like to live in Bryan

Bryan sits about 7 miles from downtown College Station, in the College Station-Bryan metro. 91,996 people lived here in 2025, up 9.6% from 2020. It is spread out.

Places locals use include Sadie Thomas Memorial Park, Sue Haswell Park and Austin's Colony Park.

The median age is 32.0, 30% of households have children, 51% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $59,289 a year (24% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Bryan

  • Lower rent. Median rent is $1,195, 15% lower than the Texas median.
  • Short commutes. The average trip to work takes 19 minutes, against 27 across Texas.

Cons of living in Bryan

  • Higher poverty. 23% of people live below the poverty line, against 14% across Texas.
  • Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of tornadoes as very high here.
  • Long, hot summers. Expect about 117 days a year at 90°F or hotter.

Who Bryan suits

  • FamiliesNot the best fit: 56% of rated schools earn an A or B and violent crime is 26% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 35% for families.
  • Young professionalsNot the best fit: household income is 24% lower than the Texas median, with 351 restaurants and 21 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 27% for young professionals.
  • RetireesNot the best fit: 22% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 26% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 25% for retirees.
  • Remote workersNot the best fit: 87% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $1,195 is 15% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 5% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetNot the best fit: the median rent of $1,195 is 15% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 21% for people on a budget.

Bryan report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Bryan 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 B-

    Median rent $1,195, homes cost 3.8x income.

    60 of 100 vs US cities

  • Jobs and income: grade D

    Median household income $59,289, 5.0% unemployed.

    21 of 100 vs US cities

  • Schools: grade C

    25 rated campuses, 56% rated A or B.

    45 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Safety: grade C+

    287 violent crimes per 100k, 1,130 property crimes per 100k.

    52 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Errands and things to do: grade D+

    31 grocery stores, 351 restaurants, 54 parks mapped in town.

    31 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Getting around: grade B

    Average commute 19 min, 7.6% work from home.

    72 of 100 vs US cities

  • Education levels: grade D

    30% have a bachelor’s degree.

    24 of 100 vs US cities

  • Health: grade F

    22% of adults uninsured.

    5 of 100 vs US cities

  • Home ownership: grade D

    51% of homes owner-occupied.

    17 of 100 vs US cities

  • Internet access: grade D-

    87% of homes have broadband.

    8 of 100 vs US cities

Where Bryan stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Average commute: 19 min30% lower than Texas (27 min)
  • Median rent: $1,19515% lower than Texas ($1,403)

Worse than Texas

  • Homes owned by the people living in them: 51%12 points lower than Texas (63%)
  • Median household income: $59,28924% lower than Texas ($78,476)
  • People below the poverty line: 23%9 points higher than Texas (14%)

Cost of living in Bryan

Rent is the cost most newcomers feel first. The median rent in Bryan is $1,195 a month, 15% lower than the Texas median of $1,403. To keep that rent at 30% of income, a household needs to earn about $48,000 a year. Right now 57% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $1,057 for a one-bedroom, $1,151 for a two-bedroom and $1,594 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 $227,800, 20% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $1,247 before tax, or $1,537 with property tax. That is $342 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 Bryan pays $3,479 a year, 18% 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 Bryan

Typical rent by apartment size

Fair market rent by bedroom count in BryanStudio$1,0051 bedroom$1,0572 bedrooms$1,1513 bedrooms$1,5944 bedrooms$1,900
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, College Station-Bryan, TX MSA. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent15% lower than Texas$1,195$1,403$1,413
Median home value20% lower than Texas$227,800$283,800$332,700
Home value to income6% higher than Texas3.8x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent5 points higher than Texas57%52%51%
Median property tax per year18% lower than Texas$3,479$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them12 points lower than Texas51%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas199119921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$1,537
Mortgage payment
$1,247
Property tax
$290
Median rent, for comparison
$1,195

Based on a $227,800 home in Bryan, 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 Bryan safe?

In 2025, Bryan Police Department reported 268 violent crimes and 1,056 property crimes. That works out to 287 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 26% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 1,130 property crimes per 100,000, 46% lower than the state rate.

Violent crime is down about 23% 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 Bryan by yearTexas28720212022202320242025

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

Violent crime
287
per 100k, Texas 387
Property crime
1,130
per 100k, Texas 2,086
Property crimes per 100,000 people in Bryan by yearTexas1,13020212022202320242025

Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.

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

Schools in Bryan

Bryan has 25 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 56% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Bryan ISD.

Top-rated campuses include Bryan Collegiate High School, Johnson Elementary and Sam Houston Elementary. The average rating score across all campuses is 81 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
45
of 100 vs Texas cities
Average rating
81
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

  • ABryan Collegiate High SchoolHigh, Bryan ISD97 of 100
  • AJohnson ElementaryElementary, Bryan ISD92 of 100
  • ASam Houston ElementaryElementary, Bryan ISD92 of 100
  • AMitchell ElementaryElementary, Bryan ISD90 of 100
  • BMary Branch ElementaryElementary, Bryan ISD89 of 100

Best neighborhoods in Bryan

We grade 11 areas inside Bryan. The top three are Northeast Bryan (A+), The Gardens Apartments (A-) and East Bryan (B+). If price matters most, Central Bryan has the lowest median rent among areas graded C or better, at $1,170 a month. The Gardens Apartments is the priciest, at $1,640. Use the map to color the city by any grade, or the sliders to rank areas by what you care about.

Loading map

    Rank Bryan 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.

    11 Bryan neighborhoods, ranked by your priorities
    1. 1A+Northeast Bryan2,875 people, median rent $1,210, home $361,000100fit
    2. 2A-The Gardens Apartments737 people, median rent $1,640, home $295,00090fit
    3. 3B+East Bryan1,788 people, median rent $1,480, home $310,00080fit
    4. 4B-Copperfield4,974 people, median rent $1,480, home $346,00070fit
    5. 5C+Central Bryan27,005 people, median rent $1,170, home $239,00060fit
    6. 6CSouthwest Bryan7,234 people, median rent $1,310, home $279,00050fit
    7. 7D+Wave Z Islander Apartments3,531 people, median rent $1,280, home $242,00040fit
    8. 8D+Reveille Ranch Apartments2,164 people, median rent $1,080, home $361,00030fit
    9. 9D+Saddlewood Apartments6,967 people, median rent $1,120, home $172,00020fit
    10. 10D-West Bryan9,609 people, median rent $1,210, home $124,00010fit
    11. 11D-Northwest Bryan14,318 people, median rent $1,290, home $155,0000fit
    All 11 Bryan neighborhoods, A to Z

    Daily life in Bryan

    Everyday places mapped inside Bryan, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Sadie Thomas Memorial Park, Sue Haswell Park, Austin's Colony Park.

    The average one-way commute is 19 minutes, 30% shorter than the Texas average. 8% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.

    Downtown College Station is about 7 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Bryan work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

    The median household income is $59,289, income per person is $31,849, unemployment is 5.0% and 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

    Grocery stores
    31
    Pharmacies
    17
    Restaurants
    351
    Cafes
    21
    Bars
    37
    Parks
    54
    Gyms
    29
    Hospitals and urgent care
    18
    Childcare
    25
    Libraries
    7

    Jobs, income and education

    MeasureHereTexasUS
    Median household income24% lower than Texas$59,289$78,476$80,734
    Income per person22% lower than Texas$31,849$40,752$44,673
    Unemployment rateAbout the same as Texas5.0%5.3%5.2%
    People below the poverty line9 points higher than Texas23%14%12%
    Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher4 points lower than Texas30%34%36%
    Adults with a high school diploma or higher2 points lower than Texas84%86%90%
    Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance2 points higher than Texas22%20%11%
    Homes with broadband internet4 points lower than Texas87%91%91%

    Getting to work

    MeasureHereTexasUS
    Average commute30% lower than Texas19 min27 min26 min
    Workers who work from home7 points lower than Texas7.6%14%15%
    Workers who work from home7.6%
    Workers who take transit0.9%
    Workers who walk1.1%
    Workers who bike0.6%

    Who lives in Bryan

    Under 1823%
    18 to 3432%
    35 to 6433%
    65 and over12%

    Median age 32.0 years. 30% of households have children.

    Race and ethnicity
    White38%
    Hispanic or Latino41%
    Black16%
    Asian1.5%
    Other or more than one race3.5%

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

    Weather in Bryan

    Bryan has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 95°F and January lows about 41°F. There are about 117 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 42 inches of rain a year.

    Average monthly high and low temperatures in Bryan40°60°80°100°62J66F72M79A86M92J95J97A91S82O71N63DRain

    Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from College Stn, 5 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 high, tornado risk is very high and hail risk is high. Even in lower-risk areas, check the FEMA flood map for the exact address before you buy.

    • River floodingLow
    • HurricanesHigh
    • TornadoesVery high
    • HailHigh
    • Heat wavesHigh
    • WildfiresModerate
    • Winter stormsHigh
    • Strong windHigh

    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 Bryan

    Nearby, College Station gets a C, Lake Bryan gets a D and Hearne gets a D-. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.

    1. CCollege StationCity, 124,570 people6 mi
    2. DLake BryanTown, 2,165 people9 mi
    3. D-HearneTown, 4,555 people21 mi
    4. C+CaldwellTown, 4,394 people23 mi
    5. DNavasotaTown, 8,542 people24 mi
    6. CSomervilleTown, 1,126 people24 mi

    Bryan in the College Station area

    How it ranks among 7 places in the metro.

    1. 1BFranklin1,530 people32 mito downtown
    2. 2C+Caldwell4,394 people24 mito downtown
    3. 3CCollege Station124,570 people0 mito downtown
    4. 4CSomerville1,126 people22 mito downtown
    5. 5D+Bryan87,939 people7 mito downtown
    6. 6DLake Bryan2,165 people14 mito downtown
    7. 7D-Hearne4,555 people27 mito downtown

    Living in Bryan: common questions

    Is Bryan, TX a good place to live?

    Bryan gets an overall grade of D+ and ranks 58th of 75 Texas cities of 50,000+ people. It does best on getting around and cost of living, and trails on health and internet access.

    How much does it cost to live in Bryan?

    Median rent in Bryan is $1,195 a month, 15% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $227,800, 20% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 3.8x 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 $1,537, including property tax.

    Is Bryan safe?

    In 2025, Bryan Police Department reported 287 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 26% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 1,130 per 100,000, 46% lower than the Texas rate.

    Are the schools good in Bryan?

    We found 25 rated public school campuses inside Bryan. 56% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 45 of 100 compared with other Texas cities of 50,000+ people.

    What are the best neighborhoods in Bryan?

    Based on our scores, the top-rated areas in Bryan are Northeast Bryan, The Gardens Apartments and East Bryan. We score 11 areas in the city.

    Does Bryan flood?

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

    What is the weather like in Bryan?

    Summers in Bryan peak at about 95°F in July, and January nights fall to about 41°F. Expect around 117 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 42 inches of rain.

    How long is the commute in Bryan?

    The average one-way commute is 19 min, 30% lower than the Texas average. About 7.6% of workers work from home. It is about 7 miles from downtown College Station.

    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.