Forney vs Terrell: which is better to live in?
Forney gets B- overall and Terrell gets F. Forney comes out ahead on our index.
Forney wins on jobs and income, schools, safety, errands and things to do, education levels, health, home ownership and internet access. Terrell wins on cost of living and getting around.
Forney suits families, young professionals, retirees and remote workers better, while Terrell suits people on a budget better.
Side by side
| Forney | Terrell | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall grade | B- | F |
| Population | 41,658 | 23,921 |
| Growth since 2020 | +78.9% | +35.5% |
| Median rent | $1,828 | $1,232 |
| Median home value | $346,400 | $218,500 |
| Monthly cost to buy | $2,421 | $1,513 |
| Median household income | $104,112 | $65,842 |
| Property tax per year | $6,294 | $3,803 |
| Violent crime per 100k | 136 | 327 |
| Property crime per 100k | 568 | 1,250 |
| Schools rated A or B | 50% | 29% |
| Average commute | 36 min | 27 min |
| Work from home | 11% | 4.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 37% | 16% |
| Median age | 31.4 years | 32.6 years |
| Days 90°F or hotter | 103 | 103 |
| River flooding risk (FEMA) | High | Moderate |
Bold marks the better value where one is clearly better.
Grades by category
| Forney | Terrell | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living | D+ (30) | C (46) |
| Jobs and income | C+ (52) | D (17) |
| Schools | C+ (52) | D (21) |
| Safety | B+ (76) | C- (35) |
| Errands and things to do | B (69) | D- (10) |
| Getting around | D- (10) | C- (35) |
| Education levels | B- (57) | F (6) |
| Health | C- (36) | F (3) |
| Home ownership | B- (63) | C (43) |
| Internet access | B- (60) | F (7) |
Cost of living
Terrell is the cheaper of the two.
Rent is higher in Forney: a median of $1,828 a month, 48% higher than Terrell's $1,232.
The median home is worth $346,400 in Forney and $218,500 in Terrell. With 20% down at today's rates, that is about $2,421 a month against $1,513, property tax included.
Compared with what locals earn, homes cost 3.3 times income in Forney and 3.3 times in Terrell.
Commute and location
Commutes average 36 minutes in Forney and 27 in Terrell.
Safety and schools
Forney has less violent crime. Forney reported 136 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, and Terrell reported 327 in 2025. The Texas rate is 387.
For schools, 50% of Forney's 16 rated campuses earn an A or B, against 29% of Terrell's 7.
Common questions
Is Forney or Terrell better to live in?
Forney grades higher overall (B- vs F). The better choice depends on what you need, so compare the categories above.
Is Forney cheaper than Terrell?
No. Terrell has lower typical rent and home prices.
Which is safer, Forney or Terrell?
Forney, based on violent crime per 100,000 people reported to the FBI.
Sources: US Census Bureau 2020-2024 ACS 5-year, FBI Crime Data Explorer, Texas Education Agency 2025, FEMA National Risk Index, NOAA. Updated 2026-10-04.