Town in Kaufman County, part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metro

Living in Elmo, TX

F

723rd of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 3 of 100
176th of 181 in the Dallas-Fort Worth area

Elmo gets an overall grade of F and ranks 723rd of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on internet access and home ownership, and trails on cost of living and getting around.

  • Pricey
  • Cost of living scores low (0 of 100)
  • Schools scores low (16 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Elmo isHoustonSan AntonioAustinFort WorthElmo
Where Elmo is in Texas.
Population
1,379
Median rent
No data
Median home value
$199,20030% lower than Texas
Household income
No dataMedian
Average commute
39 minOne way
Violent crime
No dataNo full-year report

What it's like to live in Elmo

Elmo sits about 36 miles from downtown Dallas, in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro. About 1,379 people live here. It is small-town and rural in feel.

The median age is 29.5, 27% of households have children and 58% of homes are owned by the people living in them.

Pros of living in Elmo

No clear standouts in our data.

Cons of living in Elmo

  • Higher unemployment. 15% of the labor force is out of work, against 5.3% statewide.
  • Long commutes. The average trip to work takes 39 minutes, against 27 across Texas.

Who Elmo suits

  • FamiliesNot the best fit. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 4% for families.
  • Young professionalsNot the best fit. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 3% for young professionals.
  • Remote workersNot the best fit: 93% of homes have broadband. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 28% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetNot the best fit. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 1% for people on a budget.

Elmo report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Elmo 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 F

    Not enough data.

    0 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade C+

    15% unemployed.

    50 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade D-

    Not enough data.

    16 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: no grade

    0 grocery stores, 1 restaurant, 0 parks mapped in town.

    No score vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade F

    Average commute 39 min, 12% work from home.

    1 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade D-

    8.2% have a bachelor’s degree.

    8 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade C

    15% of adults uninsured.

    41 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade C+

    58% of homes owner-occupied.

    52 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade B

    93% of homes have broadband.

    66 of 100 vs US towns

Where Elmo stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • People below the poverty line: 0.5%13 points lower than Texas (14%)
  • Vacant homes: 3.6%6 points lower than Texas (9.4%)
  • Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance: 15%5 points lower than Texas (20%)

Worse than Texas

  • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 100%48 points higher than Texas (52%)
  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 8.2%26 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • Average commute: 39 min46% higher than Texas (27 min)

Cost of living in Elmo

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $1,536 for a one-bedroom, $1,807 for a two-bedroom and $2,275 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 $199,200, 30% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $1,090 before tax, or $1,329 with property tax.

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 Elmo pays $2,865 a year, 32% 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 ElmoStudio$1,4911 bedroom$1,5362 bedrooms$1,8073 bedrooms$2,2754 bedrooms$2,892
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Dallas, TX HUD Metro FMR Area. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median home value30% lower than Texas$199,200$283,800$332,700
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent48 points higher than Texas100%52%51%
Median property tax per year32% lower than Texas$2,865$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them4 points lower than Texas58%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas198719921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$1,329
Mortgage payment
$1,090
Property tax
$239

Based on a $199,200 home in Elmo, 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.

Daily life in Elmo

Everyday places mapped inside Elmo, from Overture Maps.

The average one-way commute is 39 minutes, 46% longer than the Texas average. 12% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.

Downtown Dallas is about 36 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Elmo work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

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

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Income per person35% lower than Texas$26,399$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate10 points higher than Texas15%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line13 points lower than Texas0.5%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher26 points lower than Texas8.2%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher2 points lower than Texas84%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance5 points lower than Texas15%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet2 points higher than Texas93%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute46% higher than Texas39 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home2 points lower than Texas12%14%15%
Workers who work from home12%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk0%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Elmo

Under 1837%
18 to 3415%
35 to 6444%
65 and over4.1%

Median age 29.5 years. 27% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White71%
Hispanic or Latino24%
Black2.4%
Asian0%
Other or more than one race2.2%

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

Weather in Elmo

Elmo has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 96°F and January lows about 36°F. There are about 103 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 38 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Elmo30°50°70°90°57J62F69M76A84M92J96J96A90S79O68N59DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Terrell Muni Ap, 7 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.

Natural hazard risk

    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 Elmo

    Nearby, Terrell gets an F, Oak Ridge gets a C+ and Wills Point gets a D-. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.

    1. FTerrellSmall city, 20,366 people8 mi
    2. C+Oak RidgeTown, 1,192 people8 mi
    3. D-Wills PointTown, 3,921 people9 mi
    4. CPoetryTown, 1,642 people9 mi
    5. FQuinlanTown, 1,618 people12 mi
    6. D+KaufmanTown, 8,538 people14 mi

    Elmo in the Dallas-Fort Worth area

    How it ranks among 181 places in the metro.

    1. 1A+Flower Mound78,389 people26 mito downtown
    2. 2A+Trophy Club13,733 people29 mito downtown
    3. 3A+University Park25,155 people4 mito downtown
    4. 173FQuinlan1,618 people38 mito downtown
    5. 174FHaltom City45,767 people29 mito downtown
    6. 175FKemp1,302 people40 mito downtown
    7. 176FElmo1,379 people36 mito downtown
    8. 177FTerrell20,366 people28 mito downtown
    9. 178FLancaster40,820 people14 mito downtown
    10. 179FSansom Park5,392 people37 mito downtown

    See all of the best suburbs of dallas-fort worth

    Living in Elmo: common questions

    Is Elmo, TX a good place to live?

    Elmo gets an overall grade of F and ranks 723rd of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on internet access and home ownership, and trails on cost of living and getting around.

    How much does it cost to live in Elmo?

    The median home is worth $199,200, 30% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down at a 7.28% rate, the monthly payment on a median home is about $1,329, including property tax.

    What is the weather like in Elmo?

    Summers in Elmo peak at about 96°F in July, and January nights fall to about 36°F. Expect around 103 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 38 inches of rain.

    How long is the commute in Elmo?

    The average one-way commute is 39 min, 46% higher than the Texas average. About 12% of workers work from home. It is about 36 miles from downtown Dallas.

    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.