Town in Hamilton County

Living in Hico, TX

C

418th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 44 of 100

Hico earns a grade of C on our index, 418th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on jobs and income and cost of living, and trails on internet access and health.

  • Fast-growing
  • Internet access scores low (4 of 100)
  • 73% of renters spend 30% or more of income on rent
Map of Texas showing where Hico isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthHico
Where Hico is in Texas.
Population
1,496+12.7% since 2020
Median rent
$76745% lower than Texas
Median home value
$176,70038% lower than Texas
Household income
$67,500Median
Average commute
21 minOne way
Violent crime
330Per 100k, 2025

What it's like to live in Hico

Hico is a town in Hamilton County. 1,496 people lived here in 2025, up 12.7% from 2020, so it is one of the faster-growing places in Texas. It is spread out.

The median age is 35.6, 28% of households have children, 77% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $67,500 a year (14% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Hico

  • Lower rent. Median rent is $767, 45% lower than the Texas median.
  • Short commutes. The average trip to work takes 21 minutes, against 27 across Texas.

Cons of living in Hico

  • Spotty home internet. Only 74% of homes have a broadband plan.

Who Hico suits

  • FamiliesNot the best fit: violent crime is 15% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 30% for families.
  • Young professionalsA reasonable fit: household income is 14% lower than the Texas median, with 25 restaurants and 2 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 69% for young professionals.
  • RetireesNot the best fit: 13% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 15% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 40% for retirees.
  • Remote workersNot the best fit: 74% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $767 is 45% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 8% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $767 is 45% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 50% for people on a budget.

Hico report card

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

    Median rent $767, homes cost 2.6x income.

    52 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade C+

    Median household income $67,500, 2.6% unemployed.

    55 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade C-

    2 rated campuses, 50% rated A or B.

    36 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Safety: grade C-

    330 violent crimes per 100k, 396 property crimes per 100k.

    35 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Errands and things to do: no grade

    5 grocery stores, 25 restaurants, 1 park mapped in town.

    No score vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade C

    Average commute 21 min, 7.6% work from home.

    47 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade C

    24% have a bachelor’s degree.

    47 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade C-

    13% of adults uninsured.

    34 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade C-

    77% of homes owner-occupied.

    40 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade F

    74% of homes have broadband.

    4 of 100 vs US towns

Where Hico stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Median rent: $76745% lower than Texas ($1,403)
  • Homes owned by the people living in them: 77%14 points higher than Texas (63%)
  • Home value to income: 2.6x28% lower than Texas (3.6x)

Worse than Texas

  • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 73%21 points higher than Texas (52%)
  • Homes with broadband internet: 74%18 points lower than Texas (91%)
  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 24%10 points lower than Texas (34%)

Cost of living in Hico

Hico renters pay a median of $767 a month, 45% lower than the statewide median. The usual rule is to spend no more than 30% of income on rent, which means earning around $31,000 a year for a median unit. Right now 73% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $775 for a one-bedroom, $1,014 for a two-bedroom and $1,404 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 $176,700, 38% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $967 before tax, or $1,176 with property tax. That is $409 a month more than the median rent, so renting is the cheaper monthly choice unless you plan to stay for years.

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 Hico pays $2,503 a year, 41% 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 HicoStudio$7711 bedroom$7752 bedrooms$1,0143 bedrooms$1,4044 bedrooms$1,461
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Hamilton County, TX. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent45% lower than Texas$767$1,403$1,413
Median home value38% lower than Texas$176,700$283,800$332,700
Home value to income28% lower than Texas2.6x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent21 points higher than Texas73%52%51%
Median property tax per year41% lower than Texas$2,503$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them14 points higher than Texas77%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas196919921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$1,176
Mortgage payment
$967
Property tax
$209
Median rent, for comparison
$767

Based on a $176,700 home in Hico, 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.

Is Hico safe?

In 2025, Hico Police Department reported 5 violent crimes and 6 property crimes. That works out to 330 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 15% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 396 property crimes per 100,000, 81% lower than the state rate.

Crime rates describe the whole area a police department covers. Some streets are much quieter than the average and some are busier, so look at the neighborhood grades and visit at different times of day.

Violent crimes per 100,000 people in Hico by yearTexas33020212022202320242025

Violent crimes per 100,000 people by year. The dashed line is the Texas rate for 2025.

Violent crime
330
per 100k, Texas 387
Property crime
396
per 100k, Texas 2,086
Property crimes per 100,000 people in Hico by yearTexas39620212022202320242025

Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.

Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Hico Police Department, 2025. Rates count reported crimes only and cover the area this police department serves.

Schools in Hico

Hico has 2 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 50% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Hico 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
36
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

  • BHico High SchoolOther, Hico ISD81 of 100
  • CHico ElementaryElementary, Hico ISD74 of 100

Daily life in Hico

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

The average one-way commute is 21 minutes, 23% shorter 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 $67,500, income per person is $25,798, unemployment is 2.6% and 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
5
Pharmacies
1
Restaurants
25
Cafes
2
Bars
3
Parks
1
Gyms
4
Hospitals and urgent care
0
Childcare
1
Libraries
1

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income14% lower than Texas$67,500$78,476$80,734
Income per person37% lower than Texas$25,798$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate3 points lower than Texas2.6%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line2 points lower than Texas12%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher10 points lower than Texas24%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher5 points higher than Texas91%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance6 points lower than Texas13%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet18 points lower than Texas74%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute23% lower than Texas21 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home7 points lower than Texas7.6%14%15%
Workers who work from home7.6%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk0.2%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Hico

Under 1833%
18 to 3416%
35 to 6432%
65 and over19%

Median age 35.6 years. 28% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White84%
Hispanic or Latino12%
Black3.3%
Asian0.2%
Other or more than one race0.8%

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

Weather in Hico

Hico has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 94°F and January lows about 32°F. There are about 92 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 36 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Hico30°50°70°90°59J62F69M77A83M91J94J96A88S78O68N59DRain

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

    Nearby, Stephenville gets a B, Dublin gets a B+ and Hamilton 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. BStephenvilleSmall city, 21,682 people19 mi
    2. B+DublinTown, 3,419 people19 mi
    3. CHamiltonTown, 2,934 people20 mi
    4. B-MeridianTown, 1,638 people23 mi
    5. AGlen RoseTown, 2,836 people24 mi
    6. B-TolarTown, 1,585 people28 mi

    Living in Hico: common questions

    Is Hico, TX a good place to live?

    Hico earns a grade of C on our index, 418th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on jobs and income and cost of living, and trails on internet access and health.

    How much does it cost to live in Hico?

    Renters in Hico pay a median of $767 a month, 45% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $176,700, 38% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 2.6x 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 $1,176, including property tax.

    Is Hico safe?

    In 2025, Hico Police Department reported 330 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 15% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 396 per 100,000, 81% lower than the Texas rate.

    Are the schools good in Hico?

    We found 2 rated public school campuses inside Hico. 50% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 36 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

    What is the weather like in Hico?

    Summers in Hico peak at about 94°F in July, and January nights fall to about 32°F. Expect around 92 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 36 inches of rain.

    How long is the commute in Hico?

    The average one-way commute is 21 min, 23% lower than the Texas average. About 7.6% 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.