Town in Duval County

Living in Freer, TX

D

623rd of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 16 of 100

We give Freer a D. It ranks 623rd of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and health, and trails on internet access and education levels. It is a strong pick for people on a budget.

  • Good for people on a budget
  • Affordable
  • Jobs and income scores low (15 of 100)
  • Getting around scores low (9 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Freer isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthFreer
Where Freer is in Texas.
Population
2,308-7.0% since 2020
Median rent
$73947% lower than Texas
Median home value
$95,50066% lower than Texas
Household income
$64,145Median
Average commute
32 minOne way
Violent crime
No dataNo full-year report

What it's like to live in Freer

Freer is a town in Duval County. 2,308 people lived here in 2025, down 7.0% from 2020. It is small-town and rural in feel.

The median age is 31.5, 26% of households have children, 69% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $64,145 a year (18% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Freer

  • Lower rent. Median rent is $739, 47% lower than the Texas median.
  • Homes are affordable for local incomes. The median home costs 1.5 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.

Cons of living in Freer

  • Weaker school ratings. Only 67% of the 3 rated campuses earn an A or B from the state.
  • Higher unemployment. 13% of the labor force is out of work, against 5.3% statewide.
  • Higher poverty. 20% of people live below the poverty line, against 14% across Texas.
  • Long commutes. The average trip to work takes 32 minutes, against 27 across Texas.
  • Many adults uninsured. 30% of adults 18 to 64 have no health insurance, against 20% statewide.

Who Freer suits

  • FamiliesNot the best fit: 67% of rated schools earn an A or B. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 25% for families.
  • Young professionalsNot the best fit: household income is 18% lower than the Texas median, with 14 restaurants and 2 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 13% for young professionals.
  • Remote workersA reasonable fit: 76% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $739 is 47% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 40% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $739 is 47% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 92% for people on a budget.

Freer report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Freer 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 $739, homes cost 1.5x income.

    99 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade D-

    Median household income $64,145, 13% unemployed.

    15 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade D

    3 rated campuses, 67% rated A or B.

    23 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

    4 grocery stores, 14 restaurants, 1 park mapped in town.

    No score vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade D-

    Average commute 32 min, 7.7% work from home.

    9 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade F

    9.7% have a bachelor’s degree.

    8 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade D+

    30% of adults uninsured.

    25 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade D-

    69% of homes owner-occupied.

    14 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade F

    76% of homes have broadband.

    6 of 100 vs US towns

Where Freer stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 4.7%47 points lower than Texas (52%)
  • Home value to income: 1.5x59% lower than Texas (3.6x)
  • Median rent: $73947% lower than Texas ($1,403)

Worse than Texas

  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 9.7%24 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • Vacant homes: 26%17 points higher than Texas (9.4%)
  • Homes with broadband internet: 76%16 points lower than Texas (91%)

Cost of living in Freer

Rent is the cost most newcomers feel first. The median rent in Freer is $739 a month, 47% lower than the Texas median of $1,403. To keep that rent at 30% of income, a household needs to earn about $30,000 a year. Right now 5% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $858 for a one-bedroom, $1,078 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 $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 $618 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 Freer pays $1,143 a year, 73% 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 FreerStudio$8191 bedroom$8582 bedrooms$1,0783 bedrooms$1,3934 bedrooms$1,553
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Duval County, TX. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent47% lower than Texas$739$1,403$1,413
Median home value66% lower than Texas$95,500$283,800$332,700
Home value to income59% lower than Texas1.5x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent47 points lower than Texas4.7%52%51%
Median property tax per year73% lower than Texas$1,143$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them6 points higher than Texas69%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas198219921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$618
Mortgage payment
$523
Property tax
$95
Median rent, for comparison
$739

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

Freer has 3 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 67% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Freer ISD.

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
23
of 100 vs Texas towns
Average rating
75
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

  • BFreer High SchoolHigh, Freer ISD84 of 100
  • BLucy Aragon Junior HighMiddle, Freer ISD81 of 100
  • FNorman M Thomas ElementaryElementary, Freer ISD59 of 100

Daily life in Freer

Everyday places mapped inside Freer, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Freer City Park.

The average one-way commute is 32 minutes, 21% longer than the Texas average. 8% 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 $64,145, income per person is $30,171, unemployment is 13% and 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
4
Pharmacies
1
Restaurants
14
Cafes
2
Bars
1
Parks
1
Gyms
0
Hospitals and urgent care
1
Childcare
0
Libraries
0

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income18% lower than Texas$64,145$78,476$80,734
Income per person26% lower than Texas$30,171$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate8 points higher than Texas13%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line6 points higher than Texas20%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher24 points lower than Texas9.7%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher4 points lower than Texas81%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance10 points higher than Texas30%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet16 points lower than Texas76%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute21% higher than Texas32 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home7 points lower than Texas7.7%14%15%
Workers who work from home7.7%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk0.4%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Freer

Under 1824%
18 to 3435%
35 to 6425%
65 and over16%

Median age 31.5 years. 26% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White14%
Hispanic or Latino86%
Black0.0%
Asian0%
Other or more than one race0%

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

Weather in Freer

Freer has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 97°F and January lows about 43°F. There are about 158 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 25 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Freer40°60°80°100°66J71F78M84A91M95J97J98A92S85O75N68DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Freer, 1 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 Freer

    Nearby, Benavides gets a C, San Diego gets a D+ and Rancho Alegre gets a B-. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.

    1. CBenavidesTown, 1,470 people23 mi
    2. D+San DiegoTown, 3,675 people25 mi
    3. B-Rancho AlegreTown, 1,337 people33 mi
    4. D+AliceSmall city, 17,707 people35 mi
    5. CBen BoltTown, 2,152 people35 mi
    6. D-HebbronvilleTown, 4,194 people38 mi

    Living in Freer: common questions

    Is Freer, TX a good place to live?

    We give Freer a D. It ranks 623rd of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and health, and trails on internet access and education levels. It is a strong pick for people on a budget.

    How much does it cost to live in Freer?

    Median rent in Freer is $739 a month, 47% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $95,500, 66% 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 $618, including property tax.

    Is Freer safe?

    In 2025, Freer Police Department reported 0 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 100% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 0 per 100,000, 100% lower than the Texas rate. This agency reported only part of the year, so the rate is shown but not scored.

    Are the schools good in Freer?

    We found 3 rated public school campuses inside Freer. 67% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 23 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

    What is the weather like in Freer?

    Summers in Freer peak at about 97°F in July, and January nights fall to about 43°F. Expect around 158 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 25 inches of rain.

    How long is the commute in Freer?

    The average one-way commute is 32 min, 21% higher than the Texas average. About 7.7% 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.