Town in Armstrong County, part of the Amarillo metro

Living in Claude, TX

A+

13th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 98 of 100
3rd of 8 in the Amarillo area

Claude gets an overall grade of A+ and ranks 13th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on schools and jobs and income, and trails on getting around. It is a strong pick for families, young professionals, retirees, remote workers and people on a budget.

  • Good for families
  • Good for young professionals
  • Good for retirees
  • Good for remote workers
  • Good for people on a budget
  • Top-rated schools
  • Affordable
  • Getting around scores low (19 of 100)
  • Tornado risk is very high
Map of Texas showing where Claude isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthClaude
Where Claude is in Texas.
Population
1,190+0.5% since 2020
Median rent
$1,03926% lower than Texas
Median home value
$170,60040% lower than Texas
Household income
$77,813Median
Average commute
25 minOne way
Violent crime
No dataNo full-year report

What it's like to live in Claude

Claude sits about 27 miles from downtown Amarillo, in the Amarillo metro. 1,190 people lived here in 2025, up 0.5% from 2020. It is small-town and rural in feel.

The median age is 45.5, 25% of households have children, 78% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $77,813 a year (about the same as the Texas median).

Pros of living in Claude

  • Lower rent. Median rent is $1,039, 26% lower than the Texas median.
  • Homes are affordable for local incomes. The median home costs 2.2 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.

Cons of living in Claude

  • Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of tornadoes, hail and wildfires as very high here.

Who Claude suits

  • FamiliesA reasonable fit. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 99% for families.
  • Young professionalsA reasonable fit: household income is about the same as the Texas median, with 4 restaurants and 1 cafe in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 97% for young professionals.
  • RetireesA reasonable fit: 11% of working-age adults are uninsured. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 98% for retirees.
  • Remote workersA reasonable fit: 91% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $1,039 is 26% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 94% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $1,039 is 26% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 95% for people on a budget.

Claude report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Claude 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 $1,039, homes cost 2.2x income.

    88 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade A

    Median household income $77,813, 0.9% unemployed.

    92 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade A+

    1 rated campuses, 100% rated A or B.

    99 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 A-

    1 grocery store, 4 restaurants, 1 park mapped in town.

    81 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade D

    Average commute 25 min, 5.5% work from home.

    19 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade B

    28% have a bachelor’s degree.

    72 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade C

    11% of adults uninsured.

    48 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade C+

    78% of homes owner-occupied.

    56 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade C+

    91% of homes have broadband.

    55 of 100 vs US towns

Where Claude stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 0%52 points lower than Texas (52%)
  • Home value to income: 2.2x39% lower than Texas (3.6x)
  • Homes owned by the people living in them: 78%15 points higher than Texas (63%)

Worse than Texas

  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 28%6 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • Workers who walk, bike or take transit: 0%3 points lower than Texas (2.6%)

Cost of living in Claude

Rent is the cost most newcomers feel first. The median rent in Claude is $1,039 a month, 26% lower than the Texas median of $1,403. To keep that rent at 30% of income, a household needs to earn about $42,000 a year. Right now 0% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $904 for a one-bedroom, $1,107 for a two-bedroom and $1,512 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 $170,600, 40% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $934 before tax, or $1,132 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 Claude pays $2,384 a year, 44% 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 ClaudeStudio$7971 bedroom$9042 bedrooms$1,1073 bedrooms$1,5124 bedrooms$1,678
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Amarillo, TX HUD Metro FMR Area. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent26% lower than Texas$1,039$1,403$1,413
Median home value40% lower than Texas$170,600$283,800$332,700
Home value to income39% lower than Texas2.2x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent52 points lower than Texas0%52%51%
Median property tax per year44% lower than Texas$2,384$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them15 points higher than Texas78%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas196619921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$1,132
Mortgage payment
$934
Property tax
$199
Median rent, for comparison
$1,039

Based on a $170,600 home in Claude, 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 Claude

Claude has 1 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 100% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Claude ISD.

Top-rated campuses include Claude Schools. The average rating score across all campuses is 94 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
99
of 100 vs Texas towns
Average rating
94
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

  • AClaude SchoolsOther, Claude ISD94 of 100

Daily life in Claude

Everyday places mapped inside Claude, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Richard S. and Leah Morris Memorial Library.

The average one-way commute is 25 minutes, 7% 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 Amarillo is about 27 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Claude work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

The median household income is $77,813, income per person is $36,739, unemployment is 0.9% and 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
1
Pharmacies
1
Restaurants
4
Cafes
1
Bars
0
Parks
1
Gyms
1
Hospitals and urgent care
0
Childcare
0
Libraries
1

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household incomeAbout the same as Texas$77,813$78,476$80,734
Income per person10% lower than Texas$36,739$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate4 points lower than Texas0.9%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line12 points lower than Texas1.9%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher6 points lower than Texas28%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher10 points higher than Texas96%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance9 points lower than Texas11%20%11%
Homes with broadband internetAbout the same as Texas91%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute7% lower than Texas25 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home9 points lower than Texas5.5%14%15%
Workers who work from home5.5%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk0%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Claude

Under 1815%
18 to 3422%
35 to 6439%
65 and over24%

Median age 45.5 years. 25% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White80%
Hispanic or Latino14%
Black0.9%
Asian2.5%
Other or more than one race3.0%

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

Weather in Claude

Claude has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 93°F and January lows about 24°F. There are about 77 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 21 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Claude20°40°60°80°100°50J54F64M72A80M89J93J91A84S73O60N50DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Panhandle, 17 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 low, 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 floodingVery low
  • HurricanesVery low
  • TornadoesVery high
  • HailVery high
  • Heat wavesLow
  • 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 Claude

Nearby, Panhandle gets an A+, White Deer gets an A- and Amarillo 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. A+PanhandleTown, 2,505 people17 mi
  2. A-White DeerTown, 1,191 people25 mi
  3. C+AmarilloCity, 201,885 people26 mi
  4. A-ClarendonTown, 1,859 people29 mi
  5. BRockwell PlaceTown, 2,016 people31 mi
  6. ACanyonSmall city, 15,723 people33 mi

Claude in the Amarillo area

How it ranks among 8 places in the metro.

  1. 1A+Panhandle2,505 people28 mito downtown
  2. 2A+Bushland2,779 people13 mito downtown
  3. 3A+Claude1,163 people27 mito downtown
  4. 4ACanyon15,723 people15 mito downtown
  5. 5A-White Deer1,191 people41 mito downtown
  6. 6A-Vega1,086 people34 mito downtown

See all of the best suburbs of amarillo

Living in Claude: common questions

Is Claude, TX a good place to live?

Claude gets an overall grade of A+ and ranks 13th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on schools and jobs and income, and trails on getting around. It is a strong pick for families, young professionals, retirees, remote workers and people on a budget.

How much does it cost to live in Claude?

Median rent in Claude is $1,039 a month, 26% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $170,600, 40% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 2.2x 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 $1,132, including property tax.

Are the schools good in Claude?

We found 1 rated public school campuses inside Claude. 100% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 99 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

Does Claude flood?

FEMA rates river flooding risk in Claude as very 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 Claude?

Summers in Claude peak at about 93°F in July, and January nights fall to about 24°F. Expect around 77 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 21 inches of rain.

How long is the commute in Claude?

The average one-way commute is 25 min, 7% lower than the Texas average. About 5.5% of workers work from home. It is about 27 miles from downtown Amarillo.

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.