Town in El Paso County, part of the El Paso metro

Living in Fabens, TX

C-

503rd of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 32 of 100
8th of 16 in the El Paso area

Fabens earns a grade of C- on our index, 503rd of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and errands and things to do, and trails on education levels and health. It is a strong pick for people on a budget.

  • Good for people on a budget
  • Affordable
  • Jobs and income scores low (17 of 100)
  • Getting around scores low (7 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Fabens isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthFabens
Where Fabens is in Texas.
Population
4,818
Median rent
$60657% lower than Texas
Median home value
$95,50066% lower than Texas
Household income
$42,533Median
Average commute
30 minOne way
Violent crime
No dataNo full-year report

What it's like to live in Fabens

Fabens sits about 28 miles from downtown El Paso, in the El Paso metro. About 4,818 people live here. It is spread out.

Local spots people know include Cotton Valley Lions Club, Fabens Veterans Park and Risinger Park.

The median age is 47.7, 21% of households have children, 74% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $42,533 a year (46% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Fabens

  • Lower rent. Median rent is $606, 57% lower than the Texas median.
  • Homes are affordable for local incomes. The median home costs 2.2 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.

Cons of living in Fabens

  • Higher poverty. 28% of people live below the poverty line, against 14% across Texas.
  • Many adults uninsured. 38% of adults 18 to 64 have no health insurance, against 20% statewide.
  • Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of hail and winter storms as very high here.
  • Long, hot summers. Expect about 110 days a year at 90°F or hotter.

Who Fabens suits

  • FamiliesA reasonable fit: 33% of rated schools earn an A or B. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 47% for families.
  • Young professionalsNot the best fit: household income is 46% lower than the Texas median, with 23 restaurants and 1 cafe in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 40% for young professionals.
  • RetireesA reasonable fit: 38% of working-age adults are uninsured. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 69% for retirees.
  • Remote workersA reasonable fit: 86% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $606 is 57% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 71% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $606 is 57% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 82% for people on a budget.

Fabens report card

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

    Median rent $606, homes cost 2.2x income.

    89 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade D

    Median household income $42,533, 3.7% unemployed.

    17 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade C-

    3 rated campuses, 33% rated A or B.

    37 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 B+

    4 grocery stores, 23 restaurants, 3 parks mapped in town.

    74 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade F

    Average commute 30 min, 2.9% work from home.

    7 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade F

    11% have a bachelor’s degree.

    4 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade F

    38% of adults uninsured.

    7 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade D+

    74% of homes owner-occupied.

    31 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade D+

    86% of homes have broadband.

    31 of 100 vs US towns

Where Fabens stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Median rent: $60657% lower than Texas ($1,403)
  • Home value to income: 2.2x38% lower than Texas (3.6x)
  • Homes owned by the people living in them: 74%11 points higher than Texas (63%)

Worse than Texas

  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 11%23 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • Median household income: $42,53346% lower than Texas ($78,476)
  • Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance: 38%18 points higher than Texas (20%)

Cost of living in Fabens

Fabens renters pay a median of $606 a month, 57% lower than the statewide median. The usual rule is to spend no more than 30% of income on rent, which means earning around $24,000 a year for a median unit. Right now 43% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $969 for a one-bedroom, $1,146 for a two-bedroom and $1,559 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 $95,500, 66% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $523 before tax, or $637 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 Fabens pays $1,376 a year, 67% 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 FabensStudio$7981 bedroom$9692 bedrooms$1,1463 bedrooms$1,5594 bedrooms$1,915
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, El Paso, TX HUD Metro FMR Area. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent57% lower than Texas$606$1,403$1,413
Median home value66% lower than Texas$95,500$283,800$332,700
Home value to income38% lower than Texas2.2x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent8 points lower than Texas43%52%51%
Median property tax per year67% lower than Texas$1,376$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them11 points higher than Texas74%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas198719921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$637
Mortgage payment
$523
Property tax
$115
Median rent, for comparison
$606

Based on a $95,500 home in Fabens, 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 Fabens

Fabens has 3 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 33% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Fabens ISD.

Top-rated campuses include Johanna Odonnell Intermediate. The average rating score across all campuses is 78 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
37
of 100 vs Texas towns
Average rating
78
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

  • AJohanna Odonnell IntermediateElementary, Fabens ISD90 of 100
  • CFabens High SchoolHigh, Fabens ISD74 of 100
  • DFabens MiddleMiddle, Fabens ISD69 of 100

Daily life in Fabens

Everyday places mapped inside Fabens, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Cotton Valley Lions Club, Fabens Veterans Park, Risinger Park.

The average one-way commute is 30 minutes, 12% longer than the Texas average. 3% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.

Downtown El Paso is about 28 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Fabens work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

The median household income is $42,533, income per person is $20,691, unemployment is 3.7% and 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
4
Pharmacies
1
Restaurants
23
Cafes
1
Bars
2
Parks
3
Gyms
0
Hospitals and urgent care
2
Childcare
0
Libraries
0

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income46% lower than Texas$42,533$78,476$80,734
Income per person49% lower than Texas$20,691$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate2 points lower than Texas3.7%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line14 points higher than Texas28%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher23 points lower than Texas11%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher25 points lower than Texas61%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance18 points higher than Texas38%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet5 points lower than Texas86%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute12% higher than Texas30 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home11 points lower than Texas2.9%14%15%
Workers who work from home2.9%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk0%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Fabens

Under 1817%
18 to 3425%
35 to 6435%
65 and over23%

Median age 47.7 years. 21% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White2.6%
Hispanic or Latino95%
Black0%
Asian0%
Other or more than one race2.1%

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

Weather in Fabens

Fabens has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 95°F and January lows about 29°F. There are about 110 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 8 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Fabens20°40°60°80°100°61J67F75M82A91M98J95J94A89S81O70N60DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Tornillo 2 Sse, 9 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.

Natural hazard risk

FEMA's National Risk Index says river flooding risk is low, hurricane risk is low, tornado risk is very low and hail risk is very high. Even in lower-risk areas, check the FEMA flood map for the exact address before you buy.

  • River floodingLow
  • HurricanesLow
  • TornadoesVery low
  • HailVery high
  • Heat wavesHigh
  • WildfiresModerate
  • Winter stormsVery high
  • Strong windModerate

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 Fabens

Nearby, Tornillo gets an F, Clint gets a D+ and San Elizario 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. FTornilloTown, 1,341 people6 mi
  2. D+ClintTown, 1,258 people7 mi
  3. D-San ElizarioSmall city, 10,116 people8 mi
  4. D+Agua DulceTown, 2,697 people10 mi
  5. C-SocorroSmall city, 37,123 people11 mi
  6. C+Horizon CitySmall city, 23,668 people12 mi

Fabens in the El Paso area

How it ranks among 16 places in the metro.

  1. 1BVinton2,585 people12 mito downtown
  2. 2C+El Paso680,130 people0 mito downtown
  3. 3C+Horizon City23,668 people18 mito downtown
  4. 5CAnthony4,580 people14 mito downtown
  5. 6C-Socorro37,123 people18 mito downtown
  6. 7C-Westway3,484 people12 mito downtown
  7. 8C-Fabens4,818 people28 mito downtown
  8. 9D+Agua Dulce2,697 people22 mito downtown
  9. 10D+Clint1,258 people21 mito downtown
  10. 11D+Sparks4,134 people16 mito downtown

See all of the best suburbs of el paso

Living in Fabens: common questions

Is Fabens, TX a good place to live?

Fabens earns a grade of C- on our index, 503rd of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and errands and things to do, and trails on education levels and health. It is a strong pick for people on a budget.

How much does it cost to live in Fabens?

Renters in Fabens pay a median of $606 a month, 57% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $95,500, 66% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 2.2x 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 $637, including property tax.

Are the schools good in Fabens?

We found 3 rated public school campuses inside Fabens. 33% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 37 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

Does Fabens flood?

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

What is the weather like in Fabens?

Summers in Fabens peak at about 95°F in July, and January nights fall to about 29°F. Expect around 110 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 8 inches of rain.

How long is the commute in Fabens?

The average one-way commute is 30 min, 12% higher than the Texas average. About 2.9% of workers work from home. It is about 28 miles from downtown El Paso.

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.