Town in Travis County, part of the Austin metro

Living in Garfield, TX

D+

519th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 30 of 100
44th of 58 in the Austin area

We give Garfield a D+. It ranks 519th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and getting around, and trails on errands and things to do and schools.

  • Affordable
  • Schools scores low (8 of 100)
  • Errands and things to do scores low (3 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Garfield isHoustonSan AntonioDallasFort WorthGarfield
Where Garfield is in Texas.
Population
1,926
Median rent
No data
Median home value
$112,10061% lower than Texas
Household income
$73,349Median
Average commute
30 minOne way
Violent crime
No dataNo full-year report

What it's like to live in Garfield

Garfield sits about 14 miles from downtown Austin, in the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos metro. About 1,926 people live here. It is small-town and rural in feel, with mostly newer homes (the median home was built in 2000).

The median age is 41.3, 45% of households have children, 83% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $73,349 a year (7% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Garfield

  • 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 Garfield

  • Higher unemployment. 14% of the labor force is out of work, against 5.3% statewide.
  • Errands mean a drive. Compared with similar Texas places, fewer homes here are within a mile of a grocery store, pharmacy, park or clinic.
  • Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of river flooding, tornadoes and hail as very high here.
  • Long, hot summers. Expect about 124 days a year at 90°F or hotter.

Who Garfield suits

  • FamiliesNot the best fit. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 10% for families.
  • Young professionalsNot the best fit: household income is 7% lower than the Texas median, with 4 restaurants and 1 cafe in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 29% for young professionals.
  • RetireesA reasonable fit: 23% of working-age adults are uninsured. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 44% for retirees.
  • Remote workersA reasonable fit: 90% of homes have broadband. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 48% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 72% for people on a budget.

Garfield report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Garfield 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 1.5x income.

    77 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade C-

    Median household income $73,349, 14% unemployed.

    33 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade F

    Not enough data.

    8 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 F

    1 grocery store, 4 restaurants, 0 parks mapped in town.

    3 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade B-

    Average commute 30 min, 0.1% work from home.

    60 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade D

    22% have a bachelor’s degree.

    23 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade C-

    23% of adults uninsured.

    33 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade C

    83% of homes owner-occupied.

    47 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade C

    90% of homes have broadband.

    47 of 100 vs US towns

Where Garfield stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Home value to income: 1.5x58% lower than Texas (3.6x)
  • Homes owned by the people living in them: 83%21 points higher than Texas (63%)
  • Workers who walk, bike or take transit: 7.4%5 points higher than Texas (2.6%)

Worse than Texas

  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 22%12 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • Unemployment rate: 14%8 points higher than Texas (5.3%)
  • Vacant homes: 17%8 points higher than Texas (9.4%)

Cost of living in Garfield

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $1,530 for a one-bedroom, $1,817 for a two-bedroom and $2,292 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 $112,100, 61% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $614 before tax, or $1,258 with property tax.

Typical rent by apartment size

Fair market rent by bedroom count in GarfieldStudio$1,4471 bedroom$1,5302 bedrooms$1,8173 bedrooms$2,2924 bedrooms$2,689
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX MSA. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median home value61% lower than Texas$112,100$283,800$332,700
Home value to income58% lower than Texas1.5x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rentAbout the same as Texas51%52%51%
Homes owned by the people living in them21 points higher than Texas83%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas200019921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$1,258
Mortgage payment
$614
Property tax
$644

Based on a $112,100 home in Garfield, 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 Garfield

Everyday places mapped inside Garfield, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Garfield Library.

The average one-way commute is 30 minutes, 12% longer than the Texas average. 0% of workers work from home. 7.4% walk, bike or take transit to work.

Downtown Austin is about 14 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Garfield work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

The median household income is $73,349, income per person is $34,421, unemployment is 14% and 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

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

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income7% lower than Texas$73,349$78,476$80,734
Income per person16% lower than Texas$34,421$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate8 points higher than Texas14%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line4 points lower than Texas9.6%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher12 points lower than Texas22%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher9 points lower than Texas77%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance3 points higher than Texas23%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet2 points lower than Texas90%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute12% higher than Texas30 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home14 points lower than Texas0.1%14%15%
Workers who work from home0.1%
Workers who take transit7.4%
Workers who walk0%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Garfield

Under 1827%
18 to 3415%
35 to 6444%
65 and over14%

Median age 41.3 years. 45% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White26%
Hispanic or Latino56%
Black3.6%
Asian0%
Other or more than one race15%

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

Weather in Garfield

Garfield has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 96°F and January lows about 38°F. There are about 124 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 36 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Garfield30°50°70°90°62J66F73M80A87M93J96J97A91S82O72N64DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Austin Bergstrom Ap, 7 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.

Natural hazard risk

FEMA's National Risk Index says river flooding risk is very high, hurricane risk is moderate, tornado risk is very high and hail risk is very 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 floodingVery high
  • HurricanesModerate
  • TornadoesVery high
  • HailVery high
  • Heat wavesHigh
  • WildfiresVery high
  • Winter stormsLow
  • 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 Garfield

Nearby, Hornsby Bend gets a D-, Wyldwood gets a C+ and Cedar Creek 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. D-Hornsby BendSmall city, 12,367 people3 mi
  2. C+WyldwoodTown, 4,934 people6 mi
  3. FCedar CreekTown, 4,440 people8 mi
  4. FManorSmall city, 18,603 people12 mi
  5. B-AustinCity, 979,539 people12 mi
  6. D-Mustang RidgeTown, 1,750 people12 mi

Garfield in the Austin area

How it ranks among 58 places in the metro.

  1. 1A+The Hills2,516 people14 mito downtown
  2. 2A+Rollingwood1,316 people3 mito downtown
  3. 3A+Brushy Creek19,576 people15 mito downtown
  4. 41C-Wimberley2,891 people30 mito downtown
  5. 42C-Lockhart15,326 people29 mito downtown
  6. 43D+Sonterra10,563 people36 mito downtown
  7. 44D+Garfield1,926 people14 mito downtown
  8. 45D+Granger1,046 people34 mito downtown
  9. 46D+Smithville4,216 people41 mito downtown
  10. 47D+McDade1,070 people30 mito downtown

See all of the best suburbs of austin

Living in Garfield: common questions

Is Garfield, TX a good place to live?

We give Garfield a D+. It ranks 519th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and getting around, and trails on errands and things to do and schools.

How much does it cost to live in Garfield?

The median home is worth $112,100, 61% 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 $1,258, including property tax.

Does Garfield flood?

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

What is the weather like in Garfield?

Summers in Garfield peak at about 96°F in July, and January nights fall to about 38°F. Expect around 124 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 36 inches of rain.

How long is the commute in Garfield?

The average one-way commute is 30 min, 12% higher than the Texas average. About 0.1% of workers work from home. It is about 14 miles from downtown Austin.

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.