Small city in El Paso County, part of the El Paso metro
Living in Horizon City, TX
92nd of 192Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people
Overall score 52 of 100
3rd of 16 in the El Paso area
Horizon City gets an overall grade of C+ and ranks 92nd of 192 Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people. It does best on safety and home ownership, and trails on health and getting around. It is a strong pick for families.
- Good for families
- Low crime
- Fast-growing
- Jobs and income scores low (10 of 100)
- Getting around scores low (5 of 100)
- Population
- 25,118+11.8% since 2020
- Median rent
- $1,2809% lower than Texas
- Median home value
- $170,20040% lower than Texas
- Household income
- $65,737Median
- Average commute
- 29 minOne way
- Violent crime
- 99Per 100k, 2025
What it's like to live in Horizon City
Horizon City sits about 18 miles from downtown El Paso, in the El Paso metro. 25,118 people lived here in 2025, up 11.8% from 2020, so it is one of the faster-growing places in Texas. It is suburban, with mostly newer homes (the median home was built in 2004).
Local spots people know include Golden Eagle Park, Horizon Park and Desmond Corcoran Park.
The median age is 29.5, 55% of households have children, 85% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $65,737 a year (16% lower than the Texas median).
Pros of living in Horizon City
- Low violent crime. 99 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, 75% lower than the Texas rate.
- Homes are affordable for local incomes. The median home costs 2.6 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.
Cons of living in Horizon City
- Higher unemployment. 9.1% of the labor force is out of work, against 5.3% statewide.
- Higher poverty. 22% of people live below the poverty line, against 14% across Texas.
- Many adults uninsured. 32% of adults 18 to 64 have no health insurance, against 20% statewide.
- Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of hail and winter storms as very high here.
- Long, hot summers. Expect about 117 days a year at 90°F or hotter.
Who Horizon City suits
- FamiliesA strong fit: 70% of rated schools earn an A or B and violent crime is 75% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 83% for families.
- Young professionalsNot the best fit: household income is 16% lower than the Texas median, with 67 restaurants and 6 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 17% for young professionals.
- RetireesA reasonable fit: 32% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 75% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 61% for retirees.
- Remote workersA reasonable fit: 92% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $1,280 is 9% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 52% for remote workers.
- People on a budgetNot the best fit: the median rent of $1,280 is 9% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 33% for people on a budget.
Horizon City report card
Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Horizon City with other US cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people. Schools, safety and errands compare it with other Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people.
Cost of living: grade C+
Median rent $1,280, homes cost 2.6x income.
52 of 100 vs US citiesJobs and income: grade D-
Median household income $65,737, 9.1% unemployed.
10 of 100 vs US citiesSchools: grade B
10 rated campuses, 70% rated A or B.
68 of 100 vs TX citiesSafety: grade A-
99 violent crimes per 100k, 520 property crimes per 100k.
85 of 100 vs TX citiesErrands and things to do: grade B
3 grocery stores, 67 restaurants, 7 parks mapped in town.
64 of 100 vs TX citiesGetting around: grade F
Average commute 29 min, 8.6% work from home.
5 of 100 vs US citiesEducation levels: grade D+
21% have a bachelor’s degree.
24 of 100 vs US citiesHealth: grade F
32% of adults uninsured.
4 of 100 vs US citiesHome ownership: grade A-
85% of homes owner-occupied.
81 of 100 vs US citiesInternet access: grade C
92% of homes have broadband.
48 of 100 vs US cities
Where Horizon City stands out compared with Texas
Better than Texas
- Homes owned by the people living in them: 85%23 points higher than Texas (63%)
- Home value to income: 2.6x28% lower than Texas (3.6x)
- Vacant homes: 4.8%5 points lower than Texas (9.4%)
Worse than Texas
- Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 72%20 points higher than Texas (52%)
- Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 21%13 points lower than Texas (34%)
- Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance: 32%12 points higher than Texas (20%)
Cost of living in Horizon City
Horizon City renters pay a median of $1,280 a month, 9% lower than the statewide median. The usual rule is to spend no more than 30% of income on rent, which means earning around $51,000 a year for a median unit. Right now 72% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.
HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $969 for a one-bedroom, $1,146 for a two-bedroom and $1,559 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 $170,200, 40% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $932 before tax, or $1,298 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 property taxes are among the highest in the country. The median homeowner in Horizon City pays $4,399 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.
See the full cost of living breakdown for Horizon City
Typical rent by apartment size
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent9% lower than Texas | $1,280 | $1,403 | $1,413 |
| Median home value40% lower than Texas | $170,200 | $283,800 | $332,700 |
| Home value to income28% lower than Texas | 2.6x | 3.6x | 4.1x |
| Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent20 points higher than Texas | 72% | 52% | 51% |
| Median property tax per year4% higher than Texas | $4,399 | $4,232 | $3,119 |
| Homes owned by the people living in them23 points higher than Texas | 85% | 63% | 65% |
| Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas | 2004 | 1992 | 1980 |
Monthly cost to buy a median home
- Mortgage payment
- $932
- Property tax
- $367
- Median rent, for comparison
- $1,280
Based on a $170,200 home in Horizon City, 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 Horizon City safe?
In 2025, Horizon City Police Department reported 25 violent crimes and 132 property crimes. That works out to 99 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 75% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 520 property crimes per 100,000, 75% lower than the state rate.
Violent crime is down about 32% since 2021, based on the yearly rates below.
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 by year. The dashed line is the Texas rate for 2025.
Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Horizon City Police Department, 2025. Rates count reported crimes only and cover the area this police department serves.
Schools in Horizon City
Horizon City has 10 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 70% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Socorro ISD, Clint ISD and Idea Public Schools.
Top-rated campuses include Col John O Ensor Middle, Horizon Heights Elementary and Horizon High School. The average rating score across all campuses is 84 out of 100, against a Texas median of 81.
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.
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
- ACol John O Ensor MiddleMiddle, Socorro ISD92 of 100
- AHorizon Heights ElementaryElementary, Socorro ISD92 of 100
- AHorizon High SchoolHigh, Clint ISD90 of 100
- BIdea Horizon Vista College PreparatoryOther, Idea Public Schools87 of 100
- BRicardo Estrada MiddleMiddle, Clint ISD84 of 100
Daily life in Horizon City
Everyday places mapped inside Horizon City, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Golden Eagle Park, Horizon Park, Desmond Corcoran Park.
The average one-way commute is 29 minutes, 10% longer than the Texas average. 9% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.
Downtown El Paso is about 18 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Horizon City work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.
The median household income is $65,737, income per person is $22,788, unemployment is 9.1% and 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.
Jobs, income and education
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income16% lower than Texas | $65,737 | $78,476 | $80,734 |
| Income per person44% lower than Texas | $22,788 | $40,752 | $44,673 |
| Unemployment rate4 points higher than Texas | 9.1% | 5.3% | 5.2% |
| People below the poverty line8 points higher than Texas | 22% | 14% | 12% |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher13 points lower than Texas | 21% | 34% | 36% |
| Adults with a high school diploma or higher3 points higher than Texas | 89% | 86% | 90% |
| Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance12 points higher than Texas | 32% | 20% | 11% |
| Homes with broadband internet1 points higher than Texas | 92% | 91% | 91% |
Getting to work
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average commute10% higher than Texas | 29 min | 27 min | 26 min |
| Workers who work from home6 points lower than Texas | 8.6% | 14% | 15% |
Who lives in Horizon City
Median age 29.5 years. 55% of households have children.
Race and ethnicity
Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.
Weather in Horizon City
Horizon City has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 96°F and January lows about 35°F. There are about 117 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 9 inches of rain a year.
Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from El Paso Intl Ap, 14 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.
Natural hazard risk
FEMA's National Risk Index says river flooding risk is very low, hurricane risk is very low, tornado risk is very low and hail risk is very high. Even in lower-risk areas, check the FEMA flood map for the exact address before you buy.
- River floodingVery low
- HurricanesVery low
- TornadoesVery low
- HailVery high
- Heat wavesHigh
- WildfiresModerate
- Winter stormsVery high
- 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 Horizon City
Nearby, Sparks gets a D+, Agua Dulce gets a D+ and Socorro 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.
- D+SparksTown, 4,134 people3 mi
- D+Agua DulceTown, 2,697 people4 mi
- C-SocorroSmall city, 37,123 people5 mi
- D+ClintTown, 1,258 people6 mi
- D-San ElizarioSmall city, 10,116 people8 mi
- D-Homestead Meadows SouthTown, 6,660 people9 mi
Horizon City in the El Paso area
How it ranks among 16 places in the metro.
Living in Horizon City: common questions
Is Horizon City, TX a good place to live?
Horizon City gets an overall grade of C+ and ranks 92nd of 192 Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people. It does best on safety and home ownership, and trails on health and getting around. It is a strong pick for families.
How much does it cost to live in Horizon City?
Renters in Horizon City pay a median of $1,280 a month, 9% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $170,200, 40% 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 $1,298, including property tax.
Is Horizon City safe?
In 2025, Horizon City Police Department reported 99 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 75% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 520 per 100,000, 75% lower than the Texas rate.
Are the schools good in Horizon City?
We found 10 rated public school campuses inside Horizon City. 70% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 68 of 100 compared with other Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people.
Does Horizon City flood?
FEMA rates river flooding risk in Horizon City as very low, and coastal flooding as not rated. Hazards rated high or very high here: heat waves, hail and winter storms. Always check the flood map for a specific address before you buy.
What is the weather like in Horizon City?
Summers in Horizon City peak at about 96°F in July, and January nights fall to about 35°F. Expect around 117 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 9 inches of rain.
How long is the commute in Horizon City?
The average one-way commute is 29 min, 10% higher than the Texas average. About 8.6% of workers work from home. It is about 18 miles from downtown El Paso.
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.