Town in Cameron County, part of the Brownsville metro

Living in Encantada-Ranchito-El Calaboz, TX

B+

154th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 79 of 100
6th of 21 in the Brownsville area

Encantada-Ranchito-El Calaboz gets an overall grade of B+ and ranks 154th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and schools, and trails on internet access and education levels. It is a strong pick for families and people on a budget.

  • Good for families
  • Good for people on a budget
  • Top-rated schools
  • Affordable
  • Short commutes
  • Education levels scores low (1 of 100)
  • Health scores low (3 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Encantada-Ranchito-El Calaboz isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthEncantada-Ranchito-El Calaboz
Where Encantada-Ranchito-El Calaboz is in Texas.
Population
2,552
Median rent
No data
Median home value
$68,80076% lower than Texas
Household income
$45,505Median
Average commute
20 minOne way
Violent crime
No dataNo full-year report

What it's like to live in Encantada-Ranchito-El Calaboz

Encantada-Ranchito-El Calaboz sits about 11 miles from downtown Brownsville, in the Brownsville-Harlingen metro. About 2,552 people live here. It is spread out.

Local spots people know include El Ranchito County Park and Don Jose Esparza Park.

The median age is 40.1, 24% of households have children, 91% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $45,505 a year (42% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Encantada-Ranchito-El Calaboz

  • Homes are affordable for local incomes. The median home costs 1.5 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.
  • Short commutes. The average trip to work takes 20 minutes, against 27 across Texas.

Cons of living in Encantada-Ranchito-El Calaboz

  • Higher poverty. 25% of people live below the poverty line, against 14% across Texas.
  • Many adults uninsured. 45% of adults 18 to 64 have no health insurance, against 20% statewide.
  • Long, hot summers. Expect about 151 days a year at 90°F or hotter.
  • Spotty home internet. Only 59% of homes have a broadband plan.

Who Encantada-Ranchito-El Calaboz suits

  • FamiliesA reasonable fit. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 96% for families.
  • Young professionalsA reasonable fit: household income is 42% lower than the Texas median, with 5 restaurants and 0 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 50% for young professionals.
  • Remote workersNot the best fit: 59% of homes have broadband. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 26% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 94% for people on a budget.

Encantada-Ranchito-El Calaboz report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Encantada-Ranchito-El Calaboz 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+

    Homes cost 1.5x income.

    97 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade C-

    Median household income $45,505, 0% unemployed.

    36 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade A

    1 rated campuses, 100% rated A or B.

    94 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

    1 grocery store, 5 restaurants, 3 parks mapped in town.

    No score vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade C

    Average commute 20 min, 0% work from home.

    41 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade F

    7.8% have a bachelor’s degree.

    1 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade F

    45% of adults uninsured.

    3 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade B+

    91% of homes owner-occupied.

    80 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade F

    59% of homes have broadband.

    1 of 100 vs US towns

Where Encantada-Ranchito-El Calaboz stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Homes owned by the people living in them: 91%29 points higher than Texas (63%)
  • Home value to income: 1.5x58% lower than Texas (3.6x)
  • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 31%21 points lower than Texas (52%)

Worse than Texas

  • Homes with broadband internet: 59%32 points lower than Texas (91%)
  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 7.8%26 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance: 45%26 points higher than Texas (20%)

Cost of living in Encantada-Ranchito-El Calaboz

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 $68,800, 76% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $377 before tax, or $431 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 Encantada-Ranchito-El Calaboz pays $651 a year, 85% 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 Encantada-Ranchito-El CalabozStudio$8271 bedroom$8842 bedrooms$1,0423 bedrooms$1,3934 bedrooms$1,496
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Brownsville-Harlingen, TX MSA. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median home value76% lower than Texas$68,800$283,800$332,700
Home value to income58% lower than Texas1.5x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent21 points lower than Texas31%52%51%
Median property tax per year85% lower than Texas$651$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them29 points higher than Texas91%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas199919921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$431
Mortgage payment
$377
Property tax
$54

Based on a $68,800 home in Encantada-Ranchito-El Calaboz, 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 Encantada-Ranchito-El Calaboz

Encantada-Ranchito-El Calaboz 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 San Benito CISD.

Top-rated campuses include La Encantada Elementary. The average rating score across all campuses is 91 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
94
of 100 vs Texas towns
Average rating
91
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

  • ALa Encantada ElementaryElementary, San Benito CISD91 of 100

Daily life in Encantada-Ranchito-El Calaboz

Everyday places mapped inside Encantada-Ranchito-El Calaboz, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include El Ranchito County Park, Don Jose Esparza Park.

The average one-way commute is 20 minutes, 26% shorter than the Texas average. 0% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.

Downtown Brownsville is about 11 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Encantada-Ranchito-El Calaboz work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

The median household income is $45,505, income per person is $17,459, unemployment is 0% and 8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
1
Pharmacies
0
Restaurants
5
Cafes
0
Bars
1
Parks
3
Gyms
0
Hospitals and urgent care
0
Childcare
0
Libraries
0

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income42% lower than Texas$45,505$78,476$80,734
Income per person57% lower than Texas$17,459$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate5 points lower than Texas0%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line11 points higher than Texas25%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher26 points lower than Texas7.8%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher42 points lower than Texas44%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance26 points higher than Texas45%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet32 points lower than Texas59%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute26% lower than Texas20 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home14 points lower than Texas0%14%15%
Workers who work from home0%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk0%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Encantada-Ranchito-El Calaboz

Under 1831%
18 to 3416%
35 to 6429%
65 and over25%

Median age 40.1 years. 24% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White1.7%
Hispanic or Latino98%
Black0%
Asian0%
Other or more than one race0%

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

Weather in Encantada-Ranchito-El Calaboz

Encantada-Ranchito-El Calaboz 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 monthly high and low temperatures in Encantada-Ranchito-El Calaboz50°70°90°72J76F81M86A91M95J97J98A93S88O80N73DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Harlingen, 12 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 Encantada-Ranchito-El Calaboz

    Nearby, Rice Tracts gets an A-, La Paloma gets a C and Palmer gets an F. 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-Rice TractsTown, 1,384 people2 mi
    2. CLa PalomaTown, 2,797 people2 mi
    3. FPalmerTown, 1,435 people3 mi
    4. A-Rancho ViejoTown, 2,849 people5 mi
    5. C-San BenitoSmall city, 24,709 people5 mi
    6. BLos FresnosTown, 8,291 people9 mi

    Encantada-Ranchito-El Calaboz in the Brownsville area

    How it ranks among 21 places in the metro.

    1. 1A-South Point1,054 people10 mito downtown
    2. 2A-Palm Valley2,155 people23 mito downtown
    3. 3A-Rancho Viejo2,849 people7 mito downtown
    4. 4A-Rice Tracts1,384 people11 mito downtown
    5. 5B+Laguna Vista3,673 people13 mito downtown
    6. 6B+Encantada-Ranchito-El Calaboz2,552 people11 mito downtown
    7. 7B+Cameron Park5,955 people2 mito downtown
    8. 8B+Primera5,344 people24 mito downtown
    9. 9BLos Fresnos8,291 people6 mito downtown

    See all of the best suburbs of brownsville

    Living in Encantada-Ranchito-El Calaboz: common questions

    Is Encantada-Ranchito-El Calaboz, TX a good place to live?

    Encantada-Ranchito-El Calaboz gets an overall grade of B+ and ranks 154th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and schools, and trails on internet access and education levels. It is a strong pick for families and people on a budget.

    How much does it cost to live in Encantada-Ranchito-El Calaboz?

    The median home is worth $68,800, 76% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 1.5x 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 $431, including property tax.

    Are the schools good in Encantada-Ranchito-El Calaboz?

    We found 1 rated public school campuses inside Encantada-Ranchito-El Calaboz. 100% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 94 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

    What is the weather like in Encantada-Ranchito-El Calaboz?

    Summers in Encantada-Ranchito-El Calaboz 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 Encantada-Ranchito-El Calaboz?

    The average one-way commute is 20 min, 26% lower than the Texas average. About 0% of workers work from home. It is about 11 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.