Town in Jasper County

Living in Buna, TX

D-

655th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 12 of 100

Buna earns a grade of D- on our index, 655th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and home ownership, and trails on getting around and jobs and income.

  • Affordable
  • Jobs and income scores low (10 of 100)
  • Schools scores low (10 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Buna isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthBuna
Where Buna is in Texas.
Population
2,249
Median rent
$1,15518% lower than Texas
Median home value
$116,40059% lower than Texas
Household income
$55,000Median
Average commute
44 minOne way
Violent crime
No dataNo full-year report

What it's like to live in Buna

Buna is a town in Jasper County. About 2,249 people live here. It is small-town and rural in feel, with mostly newer homes (the median home was built in 2000).

Places locals use include Buna Public Library and Buna High School Library.

The median age is 33.6, 36% of households have children, 87% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $55,000 a year (30% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Buna

  • Lower rent. Median rent is $1,155, 18% lower than the Texas median.
  • Homes are affordable for local incomes. The median home costs 2.1 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.

Cons of living in Buna

  • Higher unemployment. 8.9% of the labor force is out of work, against 5.3% statewide.
  • Higher poverty. 28% of people live below the poverty line, against 14% across Texas.
  • Long commutes. The average trip to work takes 44 minutes, against 27 across Texas.
  • Errands mean a drive. Compared with similar Texas places, fewer homes here are within a mile of a grocery store, pharmacy, park or clinic.
  • Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of hurricanes and wildfires as very high here.

Who Buna suits

  • FamiliesNot the best fit. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 18% for families.
  • Young professionalsNot the best fit: household income is 30% lower than the Texas median, with 14 restaurants and 1 cafe in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 7% for young professionals.
  • RetireesNot the best fit: 14% of working-age adults are uninsured. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 29% for retirees.
  • Remote workersA reasonable fit: 94% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $1,155 is 18% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 77% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $1,155 is 18% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 70% for people on a budget.

Buna report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Buna 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 $1,155, homes cost 2.1x income.

    79 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade D-

    Median household income $55,000, 8.9% unemployed.

    10 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade D-

    1 rated campuses, 0% rated A or B.

    10 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-

    2 grocery stores, 14 restaurants, 0 parks mapped in town.

    14 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade F

    Average commute 44 min, 0.8% work from home.

    8 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade D+

    20% have a bachelor’s degree.

    24 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade D-

    14% of adults uninsured.

    15 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade B+

    87% of homes owner-occupied.

    74 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade B+

    94% of homes have broadband.

    73 of 100 vs US towns

Where Buna stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 25%26 points lower than Texas (52%)
  • Homes owned by the people living in them: 87%24 points higher than Texas (63%)
  • Home value to income: 2.1x41% lower than Texas (3.6x)

Worse than Texas

  • Average commute: 44 min65% higher than Texas (27 min)
  • People below the poverty line: 28%14 points higher than Texas (14%)
  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 20%14 points lower than Texas (34%)

Cost of living in Buna

Rent is the cost most newcomers feel first. The median rent in Buna is $1,155 a month, 18% lower than the Texas median of $1,403. To keep that rent at 30% of income, a household needs to earn about $46,000 a year. Right now 25% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $905 for a one-bedroom, $1,014 for a two-bedroom and $1,380 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 $116,400, 59% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $637 before tax, or $758 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 Buna pays $1,450 a year, 66% 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 BunaStudio$7711 bedroom$9052 bedrooms$1,0143 bedrooms$1,3804 bedrooms$1,461
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Jasper County, TX. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent18% lower than Texas$1,155$1,403$1,413
Median home value59% lower than Texas$116,400$283,800$332,700
Home value to income41% lower than Texas2.1x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent26 points lower than Texas25%52%51%
Median property tax per year66% lower than Texas$1,450$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them24 points higher than Texas87%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas200019921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$758
Mortgage payment
$637
Property tax
$121
Median rent, for comparison
$1,155

Based on a $116,400 home in Buna, 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 Buna

Buna has 1 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 Buna 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
10
of 100 vs Texas towns
Average rating
70
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

  • CBuna Junior HighMiddle, Buna ISD70 of 100

Daily life in Buna

Everyday places mapped inside Buna, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Buna Public Library, Buna High School Library.

The average one-way commute is 44 minutes, 65% longer than the Texas average. 1% 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 $55,000, income per person is $30,434, unemployment is 8.9% and 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
2
Pharmacies
2
Restaurants
14
Cafes
1
Bars
0
Parks
0
Gyms
1
Hospitals and urgent care
0
Childcare
3
Libraries
2

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income30% lower than Texas$55,000$78,476$80,734
Income per person25% lower than Texas$30,434$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate4 points higher than Texas8.9%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line14 points higher than Texas28%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher14 points lower than Texas20%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher3 points lower than Texas83%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance5 points lower than Texas14%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet3 points higher than Texas94%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute65% higher than Texas44 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home14 points lower than Texas0.8%14%15%
Workers who work from home0.8%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk1.0%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Buna

Under 1825%
18 to 3428%
35 to 6420%
65 and over28%

Median age 33.6 years. 36% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White94%
Hispanic or Latino3.3%
Black0.7%
Asian0%
Other or more than one race1.8%

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

Weather in Buna

Buna has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 93°F and January lows about 39°F. There are about 109 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 63 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Buna30°50°70°90°62J66F73M79A86M90J93J93A89S80O71N63DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Lumberton, 19 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.

Natural hazard risk

FEMA's National Risk Index says river flooding risk is very low, hurricane risk is very high, tornado risk is high and hail risk is high. Even in lower-risk areas, check the FEMA flood map for the exact address before you buy.

  • River floodingVery low
  • Coastal floodingVery low
  • HurricanesVery high
  • TornadoesHigh
  • HailHigh
  • Heat wavesModerate
  • WildfiresVery high
  • Winter stormsModerate
  • 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 Buna

Nearby, Silsbee gets a D, Kirbyville gets a D and Mauriceville 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. DSilsbeeTown, 6,842 people14 mi
  2. DKirbyvilleTown, 2,032 people15 mi
  3. D-MauricevilleTown, 2,945 people17 mi
  4. C+Forest HeightsTown, 1,795 people19 mi
  5. A-LumbertonSmall city, 13,963 people19 mi
  6. C-VidorTown, 9,708 people21 mi

Living in Buna: common questions

Is Buna, TX a good place to live?

Buna earns a grade of D- on our index, 655th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and home ownership, and trails on getting around and jobs and income.

How much does it cost to live in Buna?

Median rent in Buna is $1,155 a month, 18% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $116,400, 59% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 2.1x 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 $758, including property tax.

Are the schools good in Buna?

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

Does Buna flood?

FEMA rates river flooding risk in Buna as very low, and coastal flooding as very low. Hazards rated high or very high here: hurricanes, tornadoes, hail, wildfires and strong wind. Always check the flood map for a specific address before you buy.

What is the weather like in Buna?

Summers in Buna peak at about 93°F in July, and January nights fall to about 39°F. Expect around 109 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 63 inches of rain.

How long is the commute in Buna?

The average one-way commute is 44 min, 65% higher than the Texas average. About 0.8% 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.