Town in Starr County

Living in Escobares, TX

C

395th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 47 of 100

Escobares gets an overall grade of C and ranks 395th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on schools and getting around, and trails on jobs and income and health.

  • Top-rated schools
  • Short commutes
  • Jobs and income scores low (1 of 100)
  • Education levels scores low (2 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Escobares isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthEscobares
Where Escobares is in Texas.
Population
2,5850.0% since 2020
Median rent
$81542% lower than Texas
Median home value
$72,80074% lower than Texas
Household income
$29,844Median
Average commute
19 minOne way
Violent crime
No dataNo full-year report

What it's like to live in Escobares

Escobares is a town in Starr County. 2,585 people lived here in 2025, about the same as 2020. It is spread out.

The median age is 30.5, 42% of households have children, 66% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $29,844 a year (62% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Escobares

  • Lower rent. Median rent is $815, 42% lower than the Texas median.
  • Homes are affordable for local incomes. The median home costs 2.4 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.
  • Short commutes. The average trip to work takes 19 minutes, against 27 across Texas.

Cons of living in Escobares

  • Higher unemployment. 11% of the labor force is out of work, against 5.3% statewide.
  • Higher poverty. 44% of people live below the poverty line, against 14% across Texas.
  • Many adults uninsured. 46% of adults 18 to 64 have no health insurance, against 20% statewide.
  • Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of heat waves and wildfires as very high here.
  • Long, hot summers. Expect about 187 days a year at 90°F or hotter.

Who Escobares suits

  • FamiliesA reasonable fit. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 67% for families.
  • Young professionalsA reasonable fit: household income is 62% lower than the Texas median, with 8 restaurants and 0 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 41% for young professionals.
  • RetireesNot the best fit: 46% of working-age adults are uninsured. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 19% for retirees.
  • Remote workersNot the best fit: 78% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $815 is 42% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 14% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $815 is 42% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 48% for people on a budget.

Escobares report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Escobares 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 $815, homes cost 2.4x income.

    61 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade F

    Median household income $29,844, 11% unemployed.

    1 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade A+

    1 rated campuses, 100% rated A or B.

    97 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: grade C

    1 grocery store, 8 restaurants, 0 parks mapped in town.

    47 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade A-

    Average commute 19 min, 10% work from home.

    80 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade F

    8.5% have a bachelor’s degree.

    2 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade F

    46% of adults uninsured.

    2 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade D-

    66% of homes owner-occupied.

    15 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade D-

    78% of homes have broadband.

    8 of 100 vs US towns

Where Escobares stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Median rent: $81542% lower than Texas ($1,403)
  • Home value to income: 2.4x33% lower than Texas (3.6x)
  • Average commute: 19 min30% lower than Texas (27 min)

Worse than Texas

  • People below the poverty line: 44%31 points higher than Texas (14%)
  • Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance: 46%26 points higher than Texas (20%)
  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 8.5%25 points lower than Texas (34%)

Cost of living in Escobares

Escobares renters pay a median of $815 a month, 42% lower than the statewide median. The usual rule is to spend no more than 30% of income on rent, which means earning around $33,000 a year for a median unit. Right now 58% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $775 for a one-bedroom, $1,014 for a two-bedroom and $1,404 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 $72,800, 74% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $398 before tax, or $478 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 Escobares pays $951 a year, 78% 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 EscobaresStudio$7711 bedroom$7752 bedrooms$1,0143 bedrooms$1,4044 bedrooms$1,471
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Starr County, TX. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent42% lower than Texas$815$1,403$1,413
Median home value74% lower than Texas$72,800$283,800$332,700
Home value to income33% lower than Texas2.4x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent6 points higher than Texas58%52%51%
Median property tax per year78% lower than Texas$951$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them3 points higher than Texas66%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas198919921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$478
Mortgage payment
$398
Property tax
$79
Median rent, for comparison
$815

Based on a $72,800 home in Escobares, 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 Escobares

Escobares 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 Roma ISD.

Top-rated campuses include Veterans Memorial Elementary. The average rating score across all campuses is 93 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
97
of 100 vs Texas towns
Average rating
93
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

  • AVeterans Memorial ElementaryElementary, Roma ISD93 of 100

Daily life in Escobares

Everyday places mapped inside Escobares, from Overture Maps.

The average one-way commute is 19 minutes, 30% shorter than the Texas average. 10% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.

Downtown Rio Grande City is about 9 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Escobares work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

The median household income is $29,844, income per person is $16,948, unemployment is 11% and 8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
1
Pharmacies
0
Restaurants
8
Cafes
0
Bars
1
Parks
0
Gyms
1
Hospitals and urgent care
0
Childcare
0
Libraries
0

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income62% lower than Texas$29,844$78,476$80,734
Income per person58% lower than Texas$16,948$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate5 points higher than Texas11%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line31 points higher than Texas44%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher25 points lower than Texas8.5%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher29 points lower than Texas57%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance26 points higher than Texas46%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet14 points lower than Texas78%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute30% lower than Texas19 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home4 points lower than Texas10%14%15%
Workers who work from home10%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk2.4%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Escobares

Under 1832%
18 to 3421%
35 to 6431%
65 and over15%

Median age 30.5 years. 42% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White0.3%
Hispanic or Latino100%
Black0%
Asian0%
Other or more than one race0%

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

Weather in Escobares

Escobares has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 99°F and January lows about 45°F. There are about 187 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 22 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Escobares40°60°80°100°71J76F82M89A94M98J99J99A94S88O79N72DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Rio Grande City, 10 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.

Natural hazard risk

FEMA's National Risk Index says river flooding risk is high, hurricane risk is high, tornado risk is moderate and hail risk is high. Before you buy, look up the FEMA flood zone for the exact address and get a flood insurance quote, since standard home policies do not cover floods.

  • River floodingHigh
  • HurricanesHigh
  • TornadoesModerate
  • HailHigh
  • Heat wavesVery high
  • WildfiresVery high
  • Winter stormsModerate
  • Strong windLow

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 Escobares

Nearby, Roma gets a C+, Mi Ranchito Estate gets a D and Rio Grande City gets a C-. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.

  1. C+RomaSmall city, 11,545 people4 mi
  2. DMi Ranchito EstateTown, 1,091 people6 mi
  3. C-Rio Grande CitySmall city, 15,396 people9 mi
  4. D-Las LomasTown, 2,154 people12 mi
  5. CAlto Bonito HeightsTown, 1,121 people21 mi
  6. D+MikesTown, 1,688 people22 mi

Living in Escobares: common questions

Is Escobares, TX a good place to live?

Escobares gets an overall grade of C and ranks 395th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on schools and getting around, and trails on jobs and income and health.

How much does it cost to live in Escobares?

Renters in Escobares pay a median of $815 a month, 42% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $72,800, 74% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 2.4x 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 $478, including property tax.

Are the schools good in Escobares?

We found 1 rated public school campuses inside Escobares. 100% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 97 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

Does Escobares flood?

FEMA rates river flooding risk in Escobares as high, and coastal flooding as not rated. Hazards rated high or very high here: river flooding, hurricanes, heat waves, hail and wildfires. Always check the flood map for a specific address before you buy.

What is the weather like in Escobares?

Summers in Escobares peak at about 99°F in July, and January nights fall to about 45°F. Expect around 187 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 22 inches of rain.

How long is the commute in Escobares?

The average one-way commute is 19 min, 30% lower than the Texas average. About 10% of workers work from home. It is about 9 miles from downtown Rio Grande City.

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.