Town in Hidalgo County, part of the McAllen metro

Living in Heidelberg, TX

C-

470th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 37 of 100
23rd of 46 in the McAllen area

We give Heidelberg a C-. It ranks 470th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and getting around, 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
  • Short commutes
  • Jobs and income scores low (8 of 100)
  • Schools scores low (19 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Heidelberg isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthHeidelberg
Where Heidelberg is in Texas.
Population
2,215
Median rent
No data
Median home value
$57,70080% lower than Texas
Household income
$33,953Median
Average commute
14 minOne way
Violent crime
No dataNo full-year report

What it's like to live in Heidelberg

Heidelberg sits about 23 miles from downtown McAllen, in the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission metro. About 2,215 people live here. It is spread out.

The median age is 31.6, 31% of households have children, 89% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $33,953 a year (57% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Heidelberg

  • Homes are affordable for local incomes. The median home costs 1.7 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.
  • Short commutes. The average trip to work takes 14 minutes, against 27 across Texas.

Cons of living in Heidelberg

  • Higher unemployment. 28% 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.
  • Many adults uninsured. 46% of adults 18 to 64 have no health insurance, against 20% statewide.
  • Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of hurricanes, heat waves and hail as very high here.
  • Long, hot summers. Expect about 160 days a year at 90°F or hotter.

Who Heidelberg suits

  • FamiliesNot the best fit. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 25% for families.
  • Young professionalsA reasonable fit: household income is 57% lower than the Texas median, with 0 restaurants and 0 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 43% for young professionals.
  • RetireesNot the best fit: 46% of working-age adults are uninsured. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 30% for retirees.
  • Remote workersNot the best fit: 52% of homes have broadband. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 17% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 91% for people on a budget.

Heidelberg report card

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

    Homes cost 1.7x income.

    100 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade F

    Median household income $33,953, 28% unemployed.

    8 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade D

    Not enough data.

    19 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 D-

    0 grocery stores, 0 restaurants, 1 park mapped in town.

    12 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade A+

    Average commute 14 min, 1.0% work from home.

    99 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade F

    3.4% have a bachelor’s degree.

    0 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade F

    46% of adults uninsured.

    1 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade B

    89% of homes owner-occupied.

    69 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade F

    52% of homes have broadband.

    0 of 100 vs US towns

Where Heidelberg 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: 89%26 points higher than Texas (63%)
  • Home value to income: 1.7x53% lower than Texas (3.6x)

Worse than Texas

  • Homes with broadband internet: 52%39 points lower than Texas (91%)
  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 3.4%30 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance: 46%26 points higher than Texas (20%)

Cost of living in Heidelberg

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $806 for a one-bedroom, $1,017 for a two-bedroom and $1,305 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 $57,700, 80% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $316 before tax, or $506 with property tax.

Typical rent by apartment size

Fair market rent by bedroom count in HeidelbergStudio$8011 bedroom$8062 bedrooms$1,0173 bedrooms$1,3054 bedrooms$1,439
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX MSA. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median home value80% lower than Texas$57,700$283,800$332,700
Home value to income53% lower than Texas1.7x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent52 points lower than Texas0%52%51%
Homes owned by the people living in them26 points higher than Texas89%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas198819921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$506
Mortgage payment
$316
Property tax
$190

Based on a $57,700 home in Heidelberg, 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 Heidelberg

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

The average one-way commute is 14 minutes, 49% shorter than the Texas average. 1% of workers work from home. 16% walk, bike or take transit to work.

Downtown McAllen is about 23 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Heidelberg work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

The median household income is $33,953, income per person is $13,330, unemployment is 28% and 3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

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

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income57% lower than Texas$33,953$78,476$80,734
Income per person67% lower than Texas$13,330$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate22 points higher than Texas28%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty lineAbout the same as Texas14%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher30 points lower than Texas3.4%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher36 points lower than Texas50%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance26 points higher than Texas46%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet39 points lower than Texas52%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute49% lower than Texas14 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home13 points lower than Texas1.0%14%15%
Workers who work from home1.0%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk16%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Heidelberg

Under 1816%
18 to 3438%
35 to 6437%
65 and over8.7%

Median age 31.6 years. 31% of households have children.

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

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

Weather in Heidelberg

Heidelberg has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 96°F and January lows about 50°F. There are about 160 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 26 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Heidelberg50°70°90°71J75F81M86A90M95J96J97A92S87O80N72DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Weslaco, 5 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 very high, tornado risk is moderate 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
  • HurricanesVery high
  • TornadoesModerate
  • HailVery high
  • Heat wavesVery high
  • WildfiresHigh
  • 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 Heidelberg

Nearby, Mercedes gets a D, Indian Hills gets a D and Mila Doce 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. DMercedesSmall city, 16,733 people2 mi
  2. DIndian HillsTown, 2,961 people3 mi
  3. C-Mila DoceTown, 7,731 people5 mi
  4. C-La FeriaTown, 6,891 people5 mi
  5. B-Llano GrandeTown, 2,283 people6 mi
  6. CWeslacoSmall city, 42,229 people6 mi

Heidelberg in the McAllen area

How it ranks among 46 places in the metro.

  1. 1A-Palmhurst2,601 people4 mito downtown
  2. 2B+McAllen145,385 people0 mito downtown
  3. 3B+Hidalgo14,498 people8 mito downtown
  4. 20CMidway South2,308 people15 mito downtown
  5. 21C-Alamo20,255 people9 mito downtown
  6. 22C-Lopezville2,227 people6 mito downtown
  7. 23C-Heidelberg2,215 people23 mito downtown
  8. 24C-Mila Doce7,731 people18 mito downtown
  9. 25C-Elsa5,697 people17 mito downtown
  10. 26C-Abram1,741 people11 mito downtown

See all of the best suburbs of mcallen

Living in Heidelberg: common questions

Is Heidelberg, TX a good place to live?

We give Heidelberg a C-. It ranks 470th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and getting around, 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 Heidelberg?

The median home is worth $57,700, 80% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 1.7x 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 $506, including property tax.

Does Heidelberg flood?

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

What is the weather like in Heidelberg?

Summers in Heidelberg peak at about 96°F in July, and January nights fall to about 50°F. Expect around 160 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 26 inches of rain.

How long is the commute in Heidelberg?

The average one-way commute is 14 min, 49% lower than the Texas average. About 1.0% of workers work from home. It is about 23 miles from downtown McAllen.

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.