Town in Cameron County, part of the Brownsville metro
Living in Combes, TX
266th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 64 of 100
10th of 21 in the Brownsville area
We give Combes a B-. It ranks 266th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on schools and getting around, and trails on internet access and education levels.
- Top-rated schools
- Short commutes
- Education levels scores low (11 of 100)
- Internet access scores low (6 of 100)
- Population
- 3,255+3.6% since 2020
- Median rent
- $78244% lower than Texas
- Median home value
- $143,90049% lower than Texas
- Household income
- $45,504Median
- Average commute
- 17 minOne way
- Violent crime
- 213Per 100k, 2025
What it's like to live in Combes
Combes sits about 24 miles from downtown Brownsville, in the Brownsville-Harlingen metro. 3,255 people lived here in 2025, up 3.6% from 2020. It is spread out.
The median age is 38.3, 32% of households have children, 89% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $45,504 a year (42% lower than the Texas median).
Pros of living in Combes
- Low violent crime. 213 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, 45% lower than the Texas rate.
- Lower rent. Median rent is $782, 44% lower than the Texas median.
- Short commutes. The average trip to work takes 17 minutes, against 27 across Texas.
Cons of living in Combes
- Higher poverty. 27% of people live below the poverty line, against 14% across Texas.
- Many adults uninsured. 32% of adults 18 to 64 have no health insurance, against 20% statewide.
- Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of hurricanes and hail as very high here.
- Long, hot summers. Expect about 151 days a year at 90°F or hotter.
- Spotty home internet. Only 75% of homes have a broadband plan.
Who Combes suits
- FamiliesA reasonable fit: violent crime is 45% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 69% for families.
- Young professionalsA reasonable fit: household income is 42% lower than the Texas median, with 6 restaurants and 1 cafe in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 50% for young professionals.
- RetireesNot the best fit: 32% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 45% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 31% for retirees.
- Remote workersNot the best fit: 75% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $782 is 44% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 9% for remote workers.
- People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $782 is 44% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 46% for people on a budget.
Combes report card
Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Combes 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 C+
Median rent $782, homes cost 3.2x income.
54 of 100 vs US townsJobs and income: grade D+
Median household income $45,504, 1.6% unemployed.
29 of 100 vs US townsSchools: grade A
1 rated campuses, 100% rated A or B.
90 of 100 vs TX townsSafety: grade C-
213 violent crimes per 100k, 882 property crimes per 100k.
35 of 100 vs TX townsErrands and things to do: grade D+
0 grocery stores, 6 restaurants, 1 park mapped in town.
29 of 100 vs TX townsGetting around: grade A
Average commute 17 min, 7.9% work from home.
89 of 100 vs US townsEducation levels: grade D-
16% have a bachelor’s degree.
11 of 100 vs US townsHealth: grade D+
32% of adults uninsured.
29 of 100 vs US townsHome ownership: grade B
89% of homes owner-occupied.
66 of 100 vs US townsInternet access: grade F
75% of homes have broadband.
6 of 100 vs US towns
Where Combes stands out compared with Texas
Better than Texas
- Homes owned by the people living in them: 89%26 points higher than Texas (63%)
- Median rent: $78244% lower than Texas ($1,403)
- Average commute: 17 min37% lower than Texas (27 min)
Worse than Texas
- Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 16%18 points lower than Texas (34%)
- Median household income: $45,50442% lower than Texas ($78,476)
- Homes with broadband internet: 75%16 points lower than Texas (91%)
Cost of living in Combes
Combes renters pay a median of $782 a month, 44% lower than the statewide median. The usual rule is to spend no more than 30% of income on rent, which means earning around $31,000 a year for a median unit. Right now 54% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.
HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $884 for a one-bedroom, $1,042 for a two-bedroom and $1,393 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 $143,900, 49% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $788 before tax, or $948 with property tax. That is $166 a month more than the median rent, a gap that can be worth it if you plan to stay a while.
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 Combes pays $1,924 a year, 55% 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
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent44% lower than Texas | $782 | $1,403 | $1,413 |
| Median home value49% lower than Texas | $143,900 | $283,800 | $332,700 |
| Home value to income13% lower than Texas | 3.2x | 3.6x | 4.1x |
| Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent2 points higher than Texas | 54% | 52% | 51% |
| Median property tax per year55% lower than Texas | $1,924 | $4,232 | $3,119 |
| Homes owned by the people living in them26 points higher than Texas | 89% | 63% | 65% |
| Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas | 1999 | 1992 | 1980 |
Monthly cost to buy a median home
- Mortgage payment
- $788
- Property tax
- $160
- Median rent, for comparison
- $782
Based on a $143,900 home in Combes, 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 Combes safe?
In 2025, Combes Police Department reported 7 violent crimes and 29 property crimes. That works out to 213 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 45% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 882 property crimes per 100,000, 58% lower than the state rate.
Violent crime is down about 54% 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 by year. The dashed line is the Texas rate for 2025.
Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Combes Police Department, 2025. Rates count reported crimes only and cover the area this police department serves.
Schools in Combes
Combes 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 Harlingen CISD.
Top-rated campuses include Dishman Elementary. The average rating score across all campuses is 90 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.
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
- ADishman ElementaryElementary, Harlingen CISD90 of 100
Daily life in Combes
Everyday places mapped inside Combes, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Combes Community Park.
The average one-way commute is 17 minutes, 37% shorter than the Texas average. 8% of workers work from home. 3.8% walk, bike or take transit to work.
Downtown Brownsville is about 24 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Combes work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.
The median household income is $45,504, income per person is $23,310, unemployment is 1.6% and 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.
Jobs, income and education
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income42% lower than Texas | $45,504 | $78,476 | $80,734 |
| Income per person43% lower than Texas | $23,310 | $40,752 | $44,673 |
| Unemployment rate4 points lower than Texas | 1.6% | 5.3% | 5.2% |
| People below the poverty line13 points higher than Texas | 27% | 14% | 12% |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher18 points lower than Texas | 16% | 34% | 36% |
| Adults with a high school diploma or higher12 points lower than Texas | 74% | 86% | 90% |
| Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance13 points higher than Texas | 32% | 20% | 11% |
| Homes with broadband internet16 points lower than Texas | 75% | 91% | 91% |
Getting to work
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average commute37% lower than Texas | 17 min | 27 min | 26 min |
| Workers who work from home6 points lower than Texas | 7.9% | 14% | 15% |
Who lives in Combes
Median age 38.3 years. 32% of households have children.
Race and ethnicity
Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.
Weather in Combes
Combes has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 97°F and January lows about 51°F. There are about 151 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 28 inches of rain a year.
Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Harlingen, 5 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.
Natural hazard risk
FEMA's National Risk Index says river flooding risk is low, coastal flooding risk is high, hurricane risk is very high, tornado risk is moderate 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
- Coastal floodingHigh
- HurricanesVery high
- TornadoesModerate
- HailVery high
- Heat wavesHigh
- WildfiresHigh
- Winter stormsModerate
- Strong windModerate
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 Combes
Nearby, Primera gets a B+, Palm Valley gets an A- and Harlingen 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.
- B+PrimeraTown, 5,344 people3 mi
- A-Palm ValleyTown, 2,155 people3 mi
- C+HarlingenCity, 72,087 people6 mi
- D-Santa RosaTown, 3,215 people6 mi
- FSebastianTown, 1,021 people8 mi
- C-La FeriaTown, 6,891 people9 mi
Combes in the Brownsville area
How it ranks among 21 places in the metro.
- 1A-South Point1,054 people10 mito downtown
- 2A-Palm Valley2,155 people23 mito downtown
- 3A-Rancho Viejo2,849 people7 mito downtown
- 7B+Cameron Park5,955 people2 mito downtown
- 8B+Primera5,344 people24 mito downtown
- 9BLos Fresnos8,291 people6 mito downtown
- 10B-Combes3,178 people24 mito downtown
- 11C+Harlingen72,087 people20 mito downtown
- 12CBrownsville189,177 people0 mito downtown
- 13CSouth Padre Island2,891 people20 mito downtown
Living in Combes: common questions
Is Combes, TX a good place to live?
We give Combes a B-. It ranks 266th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on schools and getting around, and trails on internet access and education levels.
How much does it cost to live in Combes?
Renters in Combes pay a median of $782 a month, 44% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $143,900, 49% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 3.2x 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 $948, including property tax.
Is Combes safe?
In 2025, Combes Police Department reported 213 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 45% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 882 per 100,000, 58% lower than the Texas rate.
Are the schools good in Combes?
We found 1 rated public school campuses inside Combes. 100% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 90 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.
Does Combes flood?
FEMA rates river flooding risk in Combes as low, and coastal flooding as high. Hazards rated high or very high here: coastal flooding, hurricanes, heat waves, hail and wildfires. Always check the flood map for a specific address before you buy.
What is the weather like in Combes?
Summers in Combes peak at about 97°F in July, and January nights fall to about 51°F. Expect around 151 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 28 inches of rain.
How long is the commute in Combes?
The average one-way commute is 17 min, 37% lower than the Texas average. About 7.9% of workers work from home. It is about 24 miles from downtown Brownsville.
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.