Town in Grayson County, part of the Sherman metro

Living in Howe, TX

D

605th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 19 of 100
11th of 13 in the Sherman area

Howe gets an overall grade of D and ranks 605th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on safety and schools, and trails on education levels and home ownership.

  • Low crime
  • Pricey
  • Cost of living scores low (15 of 100)
  • Getting around scores low (18 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Howe isHoustonSan AntonioAustinFort WorthHowe
Where Howe is in Texas.
Population
3,686+2.1% since 2020
Median rent
$1,21713% lower than Texas
Median home value
$201,30029% lower than Texas
Household income
$51,108Median
Average commute
25 minOne way
Violent crime
0Per 100k, 2025

What it's like to live in Howe

Howe sits about 8 miles from downtown Sherman, in the Sherman-Denison metro. 3,686 people lived here in 2025, up 2.1% from 2020. It is spread out.

Local spots people know include Bicentennial Park, Memorial Park and Connections Park.

The median age is 29.6, 54% of households have children, 61% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $51,108 a year (35% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Howe

  • Low violent crime. 0 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, 100% lower than the Texas rate.
  • Lower rent. Median rent is $1,217, 13% lower than the Texas median.

Cons of living in Howe

  • Higher poverty. 24% of people live below the poverty line, against 14% across Texas.
  • Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of river flooding, tornadoes and heat waves as very high here.

Who Howe suits

  • FamiliesA reasonable fit: 50% of rated schools earn an A or B and violent crime is 100% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 49% for families.
  • Young professionalsNot the best fit: household income is 35% lower than the Texas median, with 10 restaurants and 0 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 9% for young professionals.
  • RetireesA reasonable fit: 16% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 100% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 40% for retirees.
  • Remote workersNot the best fit: 85% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $1,217 is 13% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 8% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetNot the best fit: the median rent of $1,217 is 13% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 5% for people on a budget.

Howe report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Howe 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 D-

    Median rent $1,217, homes cost 3.9x income.

    15 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade D+

    Median household income $51,108, 2.9% unemployed.

    26 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade C+

    4 rated campuses, 50% rated A or B.

    51 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Safety: grade A

    0 violent crimes per 100k, 272 property crimes per 100k.

    89 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Errands and things to do: grade C

    0 grocery stores, 10 restaurants, 4 parks mapped in town.

    44 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade D

    Average commute 25 min, 8.4% work from home.

    18 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade F

    11% have a bachelor’s degree.

    6 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade D

    16% of adults uninsured.

    19 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade D-

    61% of homes owner-occupied.

    9 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade D+

    85% of homes have broadband.

    27 of 100 vs US towns

Where Howe stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Median rent: $1,21713% lower than Texas ($1,403)
  • Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance: 16%4 points lower than Texas (20%)
  • Unemployment rate: 2.9%2 points lower than Texas (5.3%)

Worse than Texas

  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 11%23 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 67%15 points higher than Texas (52%)
  • Median household income: $51,10835% lower than Texas ($78,476)

Cost of living in Howe

Howe renters pay a median of $1,217 a month, 13% lower than the statewide median. The usual rule is to spend no more than 30% of income on rent, which means earning around $49,000 a year for a median unit. Right now 67% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $1,126 for a one-bedroom, $1,395 for a two-bedroom and $1,932 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 $201,300, 29% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $1,102 before tax, or $1,279 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 it leans on property taxes instead, though they are lighter here than in much of the state. The median homeowner in Howe pays $2,129 a year, 50% 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 HoweStudio$1,1021 bedroom$1,1262 bedrooms$1,3953 bedrooms$1,9324 bedrooms$2,148
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Sherman-Denison, TX MSA. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent13% lower than Texas$1,217$1,403$1,413
Median home value29% lower than Texas$201,300$283,800$332,700
Home value to income9% higher than Texas3.9x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent15 points higher than Texas67%52%51%
Median property tax per year50% lower than Texas$2,129$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them2 points lower than Texas61%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas198319921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$1,279
Mortgage payment
$1,102
Property tax
$177
Median rent, for comparison
$1,217

Based on a $201,300 home in Howe, 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 Howe safe?

In 2025, Howe Police Department reported 0 violent crimes and 10 property crimes. That works out to 0 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 100% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 272 property crimes per 100,000, 87% lower than the state rate.

Violent crime is down about 100% 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 in Howe by yearTexas020212022202320242025

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

Violent crime
0
per 100k, Texas 387
Property crime
272
per 100k, Texas 2,086
Property crimes per 100,000 people in Howe by yearTexas27220212022202320242025

Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.

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

Schools in Howe

Howe has 4 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 Howe 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
51
of 100 vs Texas towns
Average rating
81
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

  • BHowe High SchoolHigh, Howe ISD84 of 100
  • BHowe MiddleMiddle, Howe ISD82 of 100
  • CHowe IntermediateElementary, Howe ISD78 of 100
  • CSummit Hill ElementaryElementary, Howe ISD78 of 100

Daily life in Howe

Everyday places mapped inside Howe, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Bicentennial Park, Memorial Park, Connections Park.

The average one-way commute is 25 minutes, 6% 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.

Downtown Sherman is about 8 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Howe work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

The median household income is $51,108, income per person is $22,443, unemployment is 2.9% and 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
0
Pharmacies
0
Restaurants
10
Cafes
0
Bars
1
Parks
4
Gyms
2
Hospitals and urgent care
0
Childcare
2
Libraries
1

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income35% lower than Texas$51,108$78,476$80,734
Income per person45% lower than Texas$22,443$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate2 points lower than Texas2.9%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line10 points higher than Texas24%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher23 points lower than Texas11%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher10 points lower than Texas76%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance4 points lower than Texas16%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet6 points lower than Texas85%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute6% lower than Texas25 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home6 points lower than Texas8.4%14%15%
Workers who work from home8.4%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk0%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Howe

Under 1839%
18 to 3425%
35 to 6429%
65 and over7.4%

Median age 29.6 years. 54% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White48%
Hispanic or Latino40%
Black9.3%
Asian0.2%
Other or more than one race3.3%

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

Weather in Howe

Howe has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 93°F and January lows about 34°F. There are about 73 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 44 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Howe30°50°70°90°53J57F65M73A80M88J92J93A85S75O63N54DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Sherman, 14 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 wavesVery high
  • WildfiresVery high
  • Winter stormsHigh
  • Strong windHigh

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 Howe

Nearby, Van Alstyne gets an A, Sherman gets a D- and Southmayd gets a B. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.

  1. AVan AlstyneTown, 5,952 people5 mi
  2. D-ShermanSmall city, 46,397 people8 mi
  3. BSouthmaydTown, 1,413 people9 mi
  4. A-GunterTown, 2,398 people11 mi
  5. C-AnnaSmall city, 24,330 people11 mi
  6. CWhitewrightTown, 1,659 people13 mi

Howe in the Sherman area

How it ranks among 13 places in the metro.

  1. 1AVan Alstyne5,952 people14 mito downtown
  2. 2A-Gunter2,398 people15 mito downtown
  3. 3A-Tioga1,322 people20 mito downtown
  4. 8C+Whitesboro4,173 people16 mito downtown
  5. 9CWhitewright1,659 people15 mito downtown
  6. 10C-Denison25,778 people10 mito downtown
  7. 11DHowe3,689 people8 mito downtown
  8. 12DPreston1,747 people17 mito downtown
  9. 13D-Sherman46,397 people0 mito downtown

See all of the best suburbs of sherman

Living in Howe: common questions

Is Howe, TX a good place to live?

Howe gets an overall grade of D and ranks 605th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on safety and schools, and trails on education levels and home ownership.

How much does it cost to live in Howe?

Renters in Howe pay a median of $1,217 a month, 13% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $201,300, 29% lower 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 $1,279, including property tax.

Is Howe safe?

In 2025, Howe Police Department reported 0 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 100% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 272 per 100,000, 87% lower than the Texas rate.

Are the schools good in Howe?

We found 4 rated public school campuses inside Howe. 50% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 51 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

Does Howe flood?

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

What is the weather like in Howe?

Summers in Howe peak at about 93°F in July, and January nights fall to about 34°F. Expect around 73 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 44 inches of rain.

How long is the commute in Howe?

The average one-way commute is 25 min, 6% lower than the Texas average. About 8.4% of workers work from home. It is about 8 miles from downtown Sherman.

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.