Greenville vs Royse City: which is better to live in?
Greenville gets D overall and Royse City gets C+. Royse City comes out ahead on our index.
Greenville wins on cost of living, errands and things to do and getting around. Royse City wins on jobs and income, schools, safety, education levels, health, home ownership and internet access.
Greenville suits people on a budget better, while Royse City suits families, retirees and remote workers better.
Side by side
| Greenville | Royse City | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall grade | D | C+ |
| Population | 37,069 | 28,307 |
| Growth since 2020 | +31.9% | +108.4% |
| Median rent | $1,311 | $2,078 |
| Median home value | $219,400 | $322,500 |
| Monthly cost to buy | $1,459 | $2,239 |
| Median household income | $62,781 | $116,660 |
| Property tax per year | $3,099 | $5,686 |
| Violent crime per 100k | 230 | 100 |
| Property crime per 100k | 1,226 | 608 |
| Schools rated A or B | 11% | 38% |
| Average commute | 25 min | 34 min |
| Work from home | 6.8% | 18% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 21% | 29% |
| Median age | 35.9 years | 32.8 years |
| Days 90°F or hotter | 97 | 95 |
| River flooding risk (FEMA) | Moderate | Very low |
Bold marks the better value where one is clearly better.
Grades by category
| Greenville | Royse City | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living | B- (59) | D+ (28) |
| Jobs and income | D+ (29) | A- (87) |
| Schools | D- (9) | D (23) |
| Safety | C (45) | A- (82) |
| Errands and things to do | C+ (56) | C (43) |
| Getting around | C (42) | F (1) |
| Education levels | D (19) | C- (40) |
| Health | D- (14) | C- (35) |
| Home ownership | D- (13) | B- (63) |
| Internet access | D- (12) | B- (62) |
Cost of living
Greenville is the cheaper of the two.
Rent is lower in Greenville: a median of $1,311 a month, 37% lower than Royse City's $2,078.
The median home is worth $219,400 in Greenville and $322,500 in Royse City. With 20% down at today's rates, that is about $1,459 a month against $2,239, property tax included.
Compared with what locals earn, homes cost 3.5 times income in Greenville and 2.8 times in Royse City.
Commute and location
Commutes average 25 minutes in Greenville and 34 in Royse City.
The two are about 15 miles apart, so many people weigh them for the same job.
Safety and schools
Royse City has less violent crime. Greenville reported 230 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, and Royse City reported 100 in 2025. The Texas rate is 387.
For schools, 11% of Greenville's 9 rated campuses earn an A or B, against 38% of Royse City's 8.
Common questions
Is Greenville or Royse City better to live in?
Royse City grades higher overall (D vs C+). The better choice depends on what you need, so compare the categories above.
Is Greenville cheaper than Royse City?
Yes. Greenville has lower typical rent and home prices.
Which is safer, Greenville or Royse City?
Royse City, 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.