Small city in Harris County, part of the Houston metro

Living in Channelview, TX

D

157th of 192Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people
Overall score 18 of 100
99th of 125 in the Houston area

Channelview earns a grade of D on our index, 157th of 192 Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people. It does best on cost of living and schools, and trails on education levels and getting around.

  • Jobs and income scores low (15 of 100)
  • Getting around scores low (4 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Channelview isSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthChannelview
Where Channelview is in Texas.
Population
43,605
Median rent
$1,2799% lower than Texas
Median home value
$195,90031% lower than Texas
Household income
$64,422Median
Average commute
30 minOne way
Violent crime
No dataNo full-year report

What it's like to live in Channelview

Channelview sits about 16 miles from downtown Houston, in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands metro. About 43,605 people live here. It is suburban.

Places locals use include River Terrace Park, Meadowbrook Park and Carpenter's Hiking Biking Trail.

The median age is 30.9, 50% of households have children, 72% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $64,422 a year (18% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Channelview

No clear standouts in our data.

Cons of living in Channelview

  • Higher poverty. 20% of people live below the poverty line, against 14% across Texas.
  • Many adults uninsured. 33% 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 Channelview suits

  • FamiliesA reasonable fit: 70% of rated schools earn an A or B. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 44% for families.
  • Young professionalsNot the best fit: household income is 18% lower than the Texas median, with 71 restaurants and 0 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 7% for young professionals.
  • RetireesNot the best fit: 33% of working-age adults are uninsured. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 25% for retirees.
  • Remote workersA reasonable fit: 91% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $1,279 is 9% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 41% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $1,279 is 9% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 54% for people on a budget.

Channelview report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Channelview with other US cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people. Schools, safety and errands compare it with other Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people.

  • Cost of living: grade B

    Median rent $1,279, homes cost 3.0x income.

    71 of 100 vs US cities

  • Jobs and income: grade D-

    Median household income $64,422, 6.9% unemployed.

    15 of 100 vs US cities

  • Schools: grade C+

    10 rated campuses, 70% rated A or B.

    49 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Safety: no grade

    No full year of crime data from local police.

    No score vs TX cities

  • Errands and things to do: grade C-

    3 grocery stores, 71 restaurants, 13 parks mapped in town.

    37 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Getting around: grade F

    Average commute 30 min, 6.7% work from home.

    4 of 100 vs US cities

  • Education levels: grade F

    15% have a bachelor’s degree.

    4 of 100 vs US cities

  • Health: grade F

    33% of adults uninsured.

    7 of 100 vs US cities

  • Home ownership: grade C

    72% of homes owner-occupied.

    46 of 100 vs US cities

  • Internet access: grade C-

    91% of homes have broadband.

    34 of 100 vs US cities

Where Channelview stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Homes owned by the people living in them: 72%10 points higher than Texas (63%)
  • Home value to income: 3.0x16% lower than Texas (3.6x)
  • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 48%4 points lower than Texas (52%)

Worse than Texas

  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 15%19 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance: 33%13 points higher than Texas (20%)
  • Median household income: $64,42218% lower than Texas ($78,476)

Cost of living in Channelview

Rent is the cost most newcomers feel first. The median rent in Channelview is $1,279 a month, 9% lower than the Texas median of $1,403. To keep that rent at 30% of income, a household needs to earn about $51,000 a year. Right now 48% 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 $195,900, 31% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $1,072 before tax, or $1,365 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 property taxes are among the highest in the country. The median homeowner in Channelview pays $3,518 a year, 17% 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 Channelview

Typical rent by apartment size

Fair market rent by bedroom count in ChannelviewStudio$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 rent9% lower than Texas$1,279$1,403$1,413
Median home value31% lower than Texas$195,900$283,800$332,700
Home value to income16% lower than Texas3.0x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent4 points lower than Texas48%52%51%
Median property tax per year17% lower than Texas$3,518$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them10 points higher than Texas72%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas198919921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$1,365
Mortgage payment
$1,072
Property tax
$293
Median rent, for comparison
$1,279

Based on a $195,900 home in Channelview, 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 Channelview

Channelview has 10 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 70% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Channelview 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
49
of 100 vs Texas cities
Average rating
80
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

  • BB H Hamblen ElementaryElementary, Channelview ISD86 of 100
  • BDe Zavala ElementaryElementary, Channelview ISD85 of 100
  • BHarvey S Brown ElementaryElementary, Channelview ISD85 of 100
  • BChannelview High SchoolHigh, Channelview ISD83 of 100
  • BMcGhee ElementaryElementary, Channelview ISD82 of 100

Best neighborhoods in Channelview

We grade 4 areas inside Channelview. The top three are Northwest Channelview (B), West Channelview (C+) and Central Channelview (D). Use the map to color the city by any grade, or the sliders to rank areas by what you care about.

Loading map
    All 4 Channelview neighborhoods, A to Z

    Daily life in Channelview

    Everyday places mapped inside Channelview, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include River Terrace Park, Meadowbrook Park, Carpenter's Hiking Biking Trail.

    The average one-way commute is 30 minutes, 13% longer than the Texas average. 7% 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 16 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Channelview work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

    The median household income is $64,422, income per person is $25,193, unemployment is 6.9% and 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

    Grocery stores
    3
    Pharmacies
    3
    Restaurants
    71
    Cafes
    0
    Bars
    9
    Parks
    13
    Gyms
    1
    Hospitals and urgent care
    1
    Childcare
    6
    Libraries
    0

    Jobs, income and education

    MeasureHereTexasUS
    Median household income18% lower than Texas$64,422$78,476$80,734
    Income per person38% lower than Texas$25,193$40,752$44,673
    Unemployment rate2 points higher than Texas6.9%5.3%5.2%
    People below the poverty line7 points higher than Texas20%14%12%
    Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher19 points lower than Texas15%34%36%
    Adults with a high school diploma or higher15 points lower than Texas71%86%90%
    Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance13 points higher than Texas33%20%11%
    Homes with broadband internetAbout the same as Texas91%91%91%

    Getting to work

    MeasureHereTexasUS
    Average commute13% higher than Texas30 min27 min26 min
    Workers who work from home8 points lower than Texas6.7%14%15%
    Workers who work from home6.7%
    Workers who take transit0.4%
    Workers who walk0.0%
    Workers who bike0.0%

    Who lives in Channelview

    Under 1833%
    18 to 3422%
    35 to 6435%
    65 and over9.8%

    Median age 30.9 years. 50% of households have children.

    Race and ethnicity
    White12%
    Hispanic or Latino71%
    Black13%
    Asian2.6%
    Other or more than one race1.6%

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

    Weather in Channelview

    Channelview has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 93°F and January lows about 44°F. There are about 109 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 54 inches of rain a year.

    Average monthly high and low temperatures in Channelview40°60°80°100°63J67F73M79A86M91J93J94A90S82O72N65DRain

    Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Houston-Port, 10 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 Channelview

    Nearby, Cloverleaf gets a C, Highlands gets an F and Sheldon 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. CCloverleafSmall city, 24,063 people3 mi
    2. FHighlandsTown, 6,335 people4 mi
    3. C+SheldonTown, 2,208 people5 mi
    4. B+Deer ParkSmall city, 33,967 people6 mi
    5. DBarrettTown, 3,273 people6 mi
    6. C-Jacinto CityTown, 9,432 people7 mi

    Channelview 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. 96DArcola1,911 people20 mito downtown
    5. 97DShepherd2,189 people54 mito downtown
    6. 98DSplendora2,131 people34 mito downtown
    7. 99DChannelview43,605 people16 mito downtown
    8. 100D-Sealy7,053 people47 mito downtown
    9. 101D-Rosenberg40,646 people31 mito downtown
    10. 102D-Daisetta1,016 people50 mito downtown

    See all of the best suburbs of houston

    Living in Channelview: common questions

    Is Channelview, TX a good place to live?

    Channelview earns a grade of D on our index, 157th of 192 Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people. It does best on cost of living and schools, and trails on education levels and getting around.

    How much does it cost to live in Channelview?

    Median rent in Channelview is $1,279 a month, 9% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $195,900, 31% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 3.0x 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 $1,365, including property tax.

    Are the schools good in Channelview?

    We found 10 rated public school campuses inside Channelview. 70% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 49 of 100 compared with other Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people.

    What are the best neighborhoods in Channelview?

    Based on our scores, the top-rated areas in Channelview are Northwest Channelview, West Channelview and Central Channelview. We score 4 areas in the city.

    Does Channelview flood?

    FEMA rates river flooding risk in Channelview 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 Channelview?

    Summers in Channelview peak at about 93°F in July, and January nights fall to about 44°F. Expect around 109 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 54 inches of rain.

    How long is the commute in Channelview?

    The average one-way commute is 30 min, 13% higher than the Texas average. About 6.7% of workers work from home. It is about 16 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.