Town in Ector County

Living in Gardendale, TX

B-

277th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 62 of 100

Gardendale gets an overall grade of B- and ranks 277th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on jobs and income and home ownership, and trails on getting around and internet access.

  • Schools scores low (14 of 100)
  • Getting around scores low (6 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Gardendale isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthGardendale
Where Gardendale is in Texas.
Population
1,544
Median rent
No data
Median home value
$408,70044% higher than Texas
Household income
$103,750Median
Average commute
31 minOne way
Violent crime
No dataNo full-year report

What it's like to live in Gardendale

Gardendale sits about 9 miles from downtown Odessa, in the Odessa metro. About 1,544 people live here. It is small-town and rural in feel, with mostly newer homes (the median home was built in 2005).

The median age is 31.4, 40% of households have children, 95% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $103,750 a year (32% higher than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Gardendale

  • High incomes. The median household earns $103,750, 32% higher than the Texas median.

Cons of living in Gardendale

  • Long commutes. The average trip to work takes 31 minutes, against 27 across Texas.
  • Long, hot summers. Expect about 115 days a year at 90°F or hotter.
  • Spotty home internet. Only 79% of homes have a broadband plan.

Who Gardendale suits

  • FamiliesA reasonable fit. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 43% for families.
  • Young professionalsA reasonable fit: household income is 32% higher than the Texas median, with 1 restaurant and 0 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 75% for young professionals.
  • Remote workersNot the best fit: 79% of homes have broadband. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 25% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 80% for people on a budget.

Gardendale report card

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

    Homes cost 3.9x income.

    71 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade A+

    Median household income $103,750, 0.1% unemployed.

    98 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade D-

    Not enough data.

    14 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, 1 restaurant, 1 park mapped in town.

    No score vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade F

    Average commute 31 min, 2.0% work from home.

    6 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade C-

    21% have a bachelor’s degree.

    37 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade C

    15% of adults uninsured.

    44 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade B+

    95% of homes owner-occupied.

    77 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade D-

    79% of homes have broadband.

    9 of 100 vs US towns

Where Gardendale stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 0%52 points lower than Texas (52%)
  • Homes owned by the people living in them: 95%33 points higher than Texas (63%)
  • Median household income: $103,75032% higher than Texas ($78,476)

Worse than Texas

  • Homes with broadband internet: 79%13 points lower than Texas (91%)
  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 21%13 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • Average commute: 31 min15% higher than Texas (27 min)

Cost of living in Gardendale

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $1,229 for a one-bedroom, $1,522 for a two-bedroom and $1,813 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 $408,700, 44% higher than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $2,237 before tax, or $2,601 with property tax.

Texas has no state income tax, but property taxes are among the highest in the country. The median homeowner in Gardendale pays $4,372 a year, about the same as 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 GardendaleStudio$1,1531 bedroom$1,2292 bedrooms$1,5223 bedrooms$1,8134 bedrooms$2,083
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Odessa, TX MSA. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median home value44% higher than Texas$408,700$283,800$332,700
Home value to income9% higher than Texas3.9x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent52 points lower than Texas0%52%51%
Median property tax per year3% higher than Texas$4,372$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them33 points higher than Texas95%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas200519921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$2,601
Mortgage payment
$2,237
Property tax
$364

Based on a $408,700 home in Gardendale, 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.

Daily life in Gardendale

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

The average one-way commute is 31 minutes, 15% longer than the Texas average. 2% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.

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

The median household income is $103,750, income per person is $51,835, unemployment is 0.1% and 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

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

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income32% higher than Texas$103,750$78,476$80,734
Income per person27% higher than Texas$51,835$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate5 points lower than Texas0.1%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line12 points lower than Texas1.5%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher13 points lower than Texas21%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher3 points higher than Texas89%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance5 points lower than Texas15%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet13 points lower than Texas79%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute15% higher than Texas31 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home12 points lower than Texas2.0%14%15%
Workers who work from home2.0%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk0%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Gardendale

Under 1839%
18 to 3424%
35 to 6426%
65 and over11%

Median age 31.4 years. 40% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White52%
Hispanic or Latino45%
Black0%
Asian0%
Other or more than one race3.3%

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

Weather in Gardendale

Gardendale has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 95°F and January lows about 32°F. There are about 115 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 13 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Gardendale30°50°70°90°58J63F71M80A88M94J95J94A87S78O67N58DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Odessa Schlemeyer Fld, 6 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 Gardendale

    Nearby, Odessa gets a D+, West Odessa gets an F and Midland 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. D+OdessaCity, 115,322 people8 mi
    2. FWest OdessaSmall city, 32,594 people14 mi
    3. CMidlandCity, 136,640 people15 mi
    4. BAndrewsSmall city, 13,468 people26 mi
    5. BStantonTown, 2,638 people34 mi
    6. CCraneTown, 2,640 people42 mi

    Living in Gardendale: common questions

    Is Gardendale, TX a good place to live?

    Gardendale gets an overall grade of B- and ranks 277th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on jobs and income and home ownership, and trails on getting around and internet access.

    How much does it cost to live in Gardendale?

    The median home is worth $408,700, 44% higher than the Texas median. A median home costs 3.9x 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 $2,601, including property tax.

    What is the weather like in Gardendale?

    Summers in Gardendale peak at about 95°F in July, and January nights fall to about 32°F. Expect around 115 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 13 inches of rain.

    How long is the commute in Gardendale?

    The average one-way commute is 31 min, 15% higher than the Texas average. About 2.0% of workers work from home. It is about 9 miles from downtown Odessa.

    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.