Town in La Salle County

Living in Encinal, TX

A-

109th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 85 of 100

Encinal gets an overall grade of A- and ranks 109th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on schools and getting around, and trails on education levels and health. It is a strong pick for families.

  • Good for families
  • Top-rated schools
  • Short commutes
  • Education levels scores low (5 of 100)
  • Health scores low (17 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Encinal isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthEncinal
Where Encinal is in Texas.
Population
543+0.7% since 2020
Median rent
$81442% lower than Texas
Median home value
$86,90069% lower than Texas
Household income
$50,833Median
Average commute
16 minOne way
Violent crime
0Per 100k, 2025

What it's like to live in Encinal

Encinal is a town in La Salle County. 543 people lived here in 2025, up 0.7% from 2020. It is suburban.

The median age is 38.5, 28% of households have children, 82% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $50,833 a year (35% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Encinal

  • Low violent crime. 0 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, 100% lower than the Texas rate.
  • Lower rent. Median rent is $814, 42% lower than the Texas median.
  • Homes are affordable for local incomes. The median home costs 1.7 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.
  • Short commutes. The average trip to work takes 16 minutes, against 27 across Texas.

Cons of living in Encinal

  • Many adults uninsured. 39% of adults 18 to 64 have no health insurance, against 20% statewide.
  • Long, hot summers. Expect about 171 days a year at 90°F or hotter.

Who Encinal suits

  • FamiliesA reasonable fit: violent crime is 100% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 89% for families.
  • Young professionalsA reasonable fit: household income is 35% lower than the Texas median, with 3 restaurants and 1 cafe in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 74% for young professionals.
  • RetireesA reasonable fit: 39% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 100% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 69% for retirees.
  • Remote workersA reasonable fit: 88% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $814 is 42% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 43% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $814 is 42% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 60% for people on a budget.

Encinal report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Encinal 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 B-

    Median rent $814, homes cost 1.7x income.

    63 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade C

    Median household income $50,833, 0% unemployed.

    44 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade A

    1 rated campuses, 100% rated A or B.

    90 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Safety: grade B+

    0 violent crimes per 100k, 741 property crimes per 100k.

    78 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Errands and things to do: no grade

    0 grocery stores, 3 restaurants, 0 parks mapped in town.

    No score vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade A-

    Average commute 16 min, 0.6% work from home.

    86 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade F

    12% have a bachelor’s degree.

    5 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade D

    39% of adults uninsured.

    17 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade C

    82% of homes owner-occupied.

    48 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade C-

    88% of homes have broadband.

    37 of 100 vs US towns

Where Encinal stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Home value to income: 1.7x53% lower than Texas (3.6x)
  • Homes owned by the people living in them: 82%19 points higher than Texas (63%)
  • Median rent: $81442% lower than Texas ($1,403)

Worse than Texas

  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 12%22 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 73%21 points higher than Texas (52%)
  • Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance: 39%19 points higher than Texas (20%)

Cost of living in Encinal

Rent is the cost most newcomers feel first. The median rent in Encinal is $814 a month, 42% lower than the Texas median of $1,403. To keep that rent at 30% of income, a household needs to earn about $33,000 a year. Right now 73% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $854 for a one-bedroom, $1,073 for a two-bedroom and $1,278 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 $86,900, 69% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $476 before tax, or $602 with property tax. That is close to the median rent, so buying can make sense if you plan to stay.

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 Encinal pays $1,521 a year, 64% 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 EncinalStudio$8161 bedroom$8542 bedrooms$1,0733 bedrooms$1,2784 bedrooms$1,546
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, La Salle County, TX. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent42% lower than Texas$814$1,403$1,413
Median home value69% lower than Texas$86,900$283,800$332,700
Home value to income53% lower than Texas1.7x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent21 points higher than Texas73%52%51%
Median property tax per year64% lower than Texas$1,521$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them19 points higher than Texas82%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas198119921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$602
Mortgage payment
$476
Property tax
$127
Median rent, for comparison
$814

Based on a $86,900 home in Encinal, 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 Encinal safe?

In 2025, Encinal Police Department reported 0 violent crimes and 4 property crimes. That works out to 0 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 100% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 741 property crimes per 100,000, 64% lower than the state rate.

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 in Encinal by yearTexas02022202320242025

Violent crimes per 100,000 people by year. The dashed line is the Texas rate for 2025.

Violent crime
0
per 100k, Texas 387
Property crime
741
per 100k, Texas 2,086
Property crimes per 100,000 people in Encinal by yearTexas7412022202320242025

Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.

Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Encinal Police Department, 2025. Rates count reported crimes only and cover the area this police department serves.

Schools in Encinal

Encinal 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 Cotulla ISD.

Top-rated campuses include Encinal 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.

Schools grade
90
of 100 vs Texas towns
Average rating
90
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

  • AEncinal ElementaryElementary, Cotulla ISD90 of 100

Daily life in Encinal

Everyday places mapped inside Encinal, from Overture Maps.

The average one-way commute is 16 minutes, 40% shorter than the Texas average. 1% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.

The median household income is $50,833, income per person is $18,558, unemployment is 0% and 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

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

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income35% lower than Texas$50,833$78,476$80,734
Income per person54% lower than Texas$18,558$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate5 points lower than Texas0%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line6 points higher than Texas19%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher22 points lower than Texas12%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher34 points lower than Texas52%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance19 points higher than Texas39%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet4 points lower than Texas88%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute40% lower than Texas16 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home14 points lower than Texas0.6%14%15%
Workers who work from home0.6%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk2.9%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Encinal

Under 1817%
18 to 3432%
35 to 6430%
65 and over21%

Median age 38.5 years. 28% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White16%
Hispanic or Latino84%
Black0%
Asian0%
Other or more than one race0%

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

Weather in Encinal

Encinal has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 98°F and January lows about 43°F. There are about 171 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 24 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Encinal40°60°80°100°68J72F79M87A92M98J98J100A93S86O76N68DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Encinal, 5 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 Encinal

    Nearby, Cotulla gets a B-, Laredo gets a B- and Los Altos 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. B-CotullaTown, 3,664 people28 mi
    2. B-LaredoCity, 257,619 people34 mi
    3. FLos AltosTown, 1,082 people38 mi
    4. FCarrizo HillTown, 1,198 people43 mi
    5. B-DilleyTown, 3,769 people45 mi
    6. C+Carrizo SpringsTown, 4,723 people45 mi

    Living in Encinal: common questions

    Is Encinal, TX a good place to live?

    Encinal gets an overall grade of A- and ranks 109th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on schools and getting around, and trails on education levels and health. It is a strong pick for families.

    How much does it cost to live in Encinal?

    Median rent in Encinal is $814 a month, 42% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $86,900, 69% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 1.7x 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 $602, including property tax.

    Is Encinal safe?

    In 2025, Encinal Police Department reported 0 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 100% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 741 per 100,000, 64% lower than the Texas rate.

    Are the schools good in Encinal?

    We found 1 rated public school campuses inside Encinal. 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.

    What is the weather like in Encinal?

    Summers in Encinal peak at about 98°F in July, and January nights fall to about 43°F. Expect around 171 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 24 inches of rain.

    How long is the commute in Encinal?

    The average one-way commute is 16 min, 40% lower than the Texas average. About 0.6% of workers work from home.

    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.