Town in Travis County, part of the Austin metro

Living in Hudson Bend, TX

B+

153rd of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 79 of 100
15th of 58 in the Austin area

Hudson Bend earns a grade of B+ on our index, 153rd of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on schools and jobs and income, and trails on cost of living.

  • Top-rated schools
  • Pricey
  • Cost of living scores low (9 of 100)
  • River flooding risk is very high
Map of Texas showing where Hudson Bend isHoustonSan AntonioDallasFort WorthHudson Bend
Where Hudson Bend is in Texas.
Population
4,127
Median rent
$1,58213% higher than Texas
Median home value
$678,400139% higher than Texas
Household income
$95,703Median
Average commute
26 minOne way
Violent crime
No dataNo full-year report

What it's like to live in Hudson Bend

Hudson Bend sits about 13 miles from downtown Austin, in the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos metro. About 4,127 people live here. It is spread out.

Local spots people know include Mansfield Dam Park and Mansfield Dam Overlook Recreation Area.

The median age is 52.8, 14% of households have children, 71% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $95,703 a year (22% higher than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Hudson Bend

No clear standouts in our data.

Cons of living in Hudson Bend

  • Homes are pricey for local incomes. The median home costs 7.1 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.
  • Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of river flooding, tornadoes and hail as very high here.
  • Long, hot summers. Expect about 114 days a year at 90°F or hotter.

Who Hudson Bend suits

  • FamiliesA reasonable fit. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 78% for families.
  • Young professionalsA reasonable fit: household income is 22% higher than the Texas median, with 16 restaurants and 3 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 71% for young professionals.
  • RetireesA reasonable fit: 11% of working-age adults are uninsured. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 57% for retirees.
  • Remote workersNot the best fit: 89% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $1,582 is 13% higher than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 29% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetNot the best fit: the median rent of $1,582 is 13% higher than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 7% for people on a budget.

Hudson Bend report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Hudson Bend 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 $1,582, homes cost 7.1x income.

    9 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade B+

    Median household income $95,703, 3.3% unemployed.

    78 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade A

    Not enough data.

    88 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 C+

    1 grocery store, 16 restaurants, 2 parks mapped in town.

    52 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade C

    Average commute 26 min, 33% work from home.

    41 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade B

    56% have a bachelor’s degree.

    67 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade B

    11% of adults uninsured.

    68 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade C

    71% of homes owner-occupied.

    45 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade C

    89% of homes have broadband.

    46 of 100 vs US towns

Where Hudson Bend stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 56%22 points higher than Texas (34%)
  • Median household income: $95,70322% higher than Texas ($78,476)
  • Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance: 11%8 points lower than Texas (20%)

Worse than Texas

  • Home value to income: 7.1x96% higher than Texas (3.6x)
  • Median rent: $1,58213% higher than Texas ($1,403)
  • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 55%4 points higher than Texas (52%)

Cost of living in Hudson Bend

Hudson Bend renters pay a median of $1,582 a month, 13% higher than the statewide median. The usual rule is to spend no more than 30% of income on rent, which means earning around $63,000 a year for a median unit. Right now 55% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

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 $678,400, 139% higher than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $3,713 before tax, or $4,257 with property tax. That is $2,675 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 property taxes are among the highest in the country. The median homeowner in Hudson Bend pays $6,518 a year, 54% higher 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 Hudson BendStudio$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 rent13% higher than Texas$1,582$1,403$1,413
Median home value139% higher than Texas$678,400$283,800$332,700
Home value to income96% higher than Texas7.1x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent4 points higher than Texas55%52%51%
Median property tax per year54% higher than Texas$6,518$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them8 points higher than Texas71%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas199719921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$4,257
Mortgage payment
$3,713
Property tax
$543
Median rent, for comparison
$1,582

Based on a $678,400 home in Hudson Bend, 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 Hudson Bend

Everyday places mapped inside Hudson Bend, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Mansfield Dam Park, Mansfield Dam Overlook Recreation Area.

The average one-way commute is 26 minutes, about the same as the Texas average. 33% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.

Downtown Austin is about 13 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Hudson Bend work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

The median household income is $95,703, income per person is $95,239, unemployment is 3.3% and 56% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
1
Pharmacies
0
Restaurants
16
Cafes
3
Bars
6
Parks
2
Gyms
1
Hospitals and urgent care
0
Childcare
0
Libraries
0

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income22% higher than Texas$95,703$78,476$80,734
Income per person134% higher than Texas$95,239$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate2 points lower than Texas3.3%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line8 points lower than Texas5.8%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher22 points higher than Texas56%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher4 points higher than Texas90%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance8 points lower than Texas11%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet2 points lower than Texas89%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commuteAbout the same as Texas26 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home19 points higher than Texas33%14%15%
Workers who work from home33%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk1.9%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Hudson Bend

Under 1810%
18 to 3419%
35 to 6450%
65 and over21%

Median age 52.8 years. 14% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White66%
Hispanic or Latino19%
Black0.5%
Asian11%
Other or more than one race4.0%

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

Weather in Hudson Bend

Hudson Bend has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 96°F and January lows about 38°F. There are about 114 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 37 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Hudson Bend30°50°70°90°60J65F72M79A84M92J96J96A89S80O69N61DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Austin Great Hills, 10 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
  • WildfiresHigh
  • Winter stormsLow
  • Strong windModerate

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 Hudson Bend

Nearby, Steiner Ranch gets an A-, Lakeway gets an A and Lago Vista 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. A-Steiner RanchSmall city, 18,619 people4 mi
  2. ALakewaySmall city, 19,307 people5 mi
  3. C+Lago VistaTown, 9,650 people5 mi
  4. B+JonestownTown, 2,535 people5 mi
  5. BPoint VentureTown, 1,598 people5 mi
  6. A+The HillsTown, 2,516 people6 mi

Hudson Bend 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. 12A-Buda15,859 people16 mito downtown
  5. 13A-Briarcliff2,735 people19 mito downtown
  6. 14B+Round Rock127,786 people17 mito downtown
  7. 15B+Hudson Bend4,127 people13 mito downtown
  8. 16B+Jonestown2,535 people17 mito downtown
  9. 17B+Manchaca2,171 people12 mito downtown
  10. 18B+Santa Rita Ranch6,586 people26 mito downtown

See all of the best suburbs of austin

Living in Hudson Bend: common questions

Is Hudson Bend, TX a good place to live?

Hudson Bend earns a grade of B+ on our index, 153rd of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on schools and jobs and income, and trails on cost of living.

How much does it cost to live in Hudson Bend?

Renters in Hudson Bend pay a median of $1,582 a month, 13% higher than the Texas median. The median home is worth $678,400, 139% higher than the Texas median. A median home costs 7.1x 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 $4,257, including property tax.

Does Hudson Bend flood?

FEMA rates river flooding risk in Hudson Bend 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 Hudson Bend?

Summers in Hudson Bend peak at about 96°F in July, and January nights fall to about 38°F. Expect around 114 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 37 inches of rain.

How long is the commute in Hudson Bend?

The average one-way commute is 26 min, about the same as the Texas average. About 33% of workers work from home. It is about 13 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.