Town in Cameron County, part of the Brownsville metro
Living in La Paloma, TX
426th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 42 of 100
14th of 21 in the Brownsville area
La Paloma earns a grade of C on our index, 426th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on home ownership and schools, and trails on health and getting around.
- Affordable
- Errands and things to do scores low (8 of 100)
- Getting around scores low (8 of 100)
- Population
- 2,797
- Median rent
- $66653% lower than Texas
- Median home value
- $82,40071% lower than Texas
- Household income
- $59,840Median
- Average commute
- 29 minOne way
- Violent crime
- No dataNo full-year report
What it's like to live in La Paloma
La Paloma sits about 13 miles from downtown Brownsville, in the Brownsville-Harlingen metro. About 2,797 people live here. It is spread out.
The median age is 27.3, 64% of households have children, 84% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $59,840 a year (24% lower than the Texas median).
Pros of living in La Paloma
- Lower rent. Median rent is $666, 53% lower than the Texas median.
- Homes are affordable for local incomes. The median home costs 1.4 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.
Cons of living in La Paloma
- Higher poverty. 25% of people live below the poverty line, against 14% across Texas.
- 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. 44% of adults 18 to 64 have no health insurance, against 20% statewide.
- Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of hurricanes and heat waves as very high here.
- Long, hot summers. Expect about 151 days a year at 90°F or hotter.
Who La Paloma suits
- FamiliesA reasonable fit. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 69% for families.
- Young professionalsNot the best fit: household income is 24% lower than the Texas median, with 1 restaurant and 0 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 10% for young professionals.
- RetireesNot the best fit: 44% of working-age adults are uninsured. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 13% for retirees.
- Remote workersNot the best fit: 84% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $666 is 53% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 18% for remote workers.
- People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $666 is 53% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 72% for people on a budget.
La Paloma report card
Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare La Paloma 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 B+
Median rent $666, homes cost 1.4x income.
76 of 100 vs US townsJobs and income: grade C
Median household income $59,840, 1.5% unemployed.
40 of 100 vs US townsSchools: grade B+
2 rated campuses, 100% rated A or B.
77 of 100 vs TX townsSafety: no grade
No full year of crime data from local police.
No score vs TX townsErrands and things to do: grade D-
0 grocery stores, 1 restaurant, 0 parks mapped in town.
8 of 100 vs TX townsGetting around: grade F
Average commute 29 min, 24% work from home.
8 of 100 vs US townsEducation levels: grade D
21% have a bachelor’s degree.
18 of 100 vs US townsHealth: grade F
44% of adults uninsured.
3 of 100 vs US townsHome ownership: grade A-
84% of homes owner-occupied.
80 of 100 vs US townsInternet access: grade D
84% of homes have broadband.
21 of 100 vs US towns
Where La Paloma stands out compared with Texas
Better than Texas
- Home value to income: 1.4x62% lower than Texas (3.6x)
- Homes owned by the people living in them: 84%21 points higher than Texas (63%)
- Median rent: $66653% lower than Texas ($1,403)
Worse than Texas
- Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance: 44%24 points higher than Texas (20%)
- Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 69%17 points higher than Texas (52%)
- Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 21%13 points lower than Texas (34%)
Cost of living in La Paloma
Rent is the cost most newcomers feel first. The median rent in La Paloma is $666 a month, 53% lower than the Texas median of $1,403. To keep that rent at 30% of income, a household needs to earn about $27,000 a year. Right now 69% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.
HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $884 for a one-bedroom, $1,042 for a two-bedroom and $1,393 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 $82,400, 71% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $451 before tax, or $574 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 La Paloma pays $1,476 a year, 65% 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
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent53% lower than Texas | $666 | $1,403 | $1,413 |
| Median home value71% lower than Texas | $82,400 | $283,800 | $332,700 |
| Home value to income62% lower than Texas | 1.4x | 3.6x | 4.1x |
| Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent17 points higher than Texas | 69% | 52% | 51% |
| Median property tax per year65% lower than Texas | $1,476 | $4,232 | $3,119 |
| Homes owned by the people living in them21 points higher than Texas | 84% | 63% | 65% |
| Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas | 1998 | 1992 | 1980 |
Monthly cost to buy a median home
- Mortgage payment
- $451
- Property tax
- $123
- Median rent, for comparison
- $666
Based on a $82,400 home in La Paloma, 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.
Schools in La Paloma
La Paloma has 2 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 100% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by San Benito CISD.
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
- BLa Paloma ElementaryElementary, San Benito CISD87 of 100
- BSan Benito Riverside MiddleMiddle, San Benito CISD85 of 100
Daily life in La Paloma
Everyday places mapped inside La Paloma, from Overture Maps.
The average one-way commute is 29 minutes, 9% longer than the Texas average. 24% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.
Downtown Brownsville is about 13 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in La Paloma work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.
The median household income is $59,840, income per person is $20,328, unemployment is 1.5% and 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.
Jobs, income and education
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income24% lower than Texas | $59,840 | $78,476 | $80,734 |
| Income per person50% lower than Texas | $20,328 | $40,752 | $44,673 |
| Unemployment rate4 points lower than Texas | 1.5% | 5.3% | 5.2% |
| People below the poverty line11 points higher than Texas | 25% | 14% | 12% |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher13 points lower than Texas | 21% | 34% | 36% |
| Adults with a high school diploma or higher28 points lower than Texas | 58% | 86% | 90% |
| Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance24 points higher than Texas | 44% | 20% | 11% |
| Homes with broadband internet8 points lower than Texas | 84% | 91% | 91% |
Getting to work
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average commute9% higher than Texas | 29 min | 27 min | 26 min |
| Workers who work from home9 points higher than Texas | 24% | 14% | 15% |
Who lives in La Paloma
Median age 27.3 years. 64% of households have children.
Race and ethnicity
Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.
Weather in La Paloma
La Paloma has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 97°F and January lows about 51°F. There are about 151 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 28 inches of rain a year.
Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Harlingen, 10 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 high. Even in lower-risk areas, check the FEMA flood map for the exact address before you buy.
- River floodingLow
- Coastal floodingVery low
- HurricanesVery high
- TornadoesModerate
- HailHigh
- Heat wavesVery high
- WildfiresHigh
- Winter stormsModerate
- 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 La Paloma
Nearby, Rice Tracts gets an A-, Palmer gets an F and Encantada-Ranchito-El Calaboz 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.
- A-Rice TractsTown, 1,384 people1 mi
- FPalmerTown, 1,435 people2 mi
- B+Encantada-Ranchito-El CalabozTown, 2,552 people2 mi
- C-San BenitoSmall city, 24,709 people4 mi
- A-Rancho ViejoTown, 2,849 people6 mi
- C+HarlingenCity, 72,087 people8 mi
La Paloma in the Brownsville area
How it ranks among 21 places in the metro.
- 1A-South Point1,054 people10 mito downtown
- 2A-Palm Valley2,155 people23 mito downtown
- 3A-Rancho Viejo2,849 people7 mito downtown
- 11C+Harlingen72,087 people20 mito downtown
- 12CBrownsville189,177 people0 mito downtown
- 13CSouth Padre Island2,891 people20 mito downtown
- 14CLa Paloma2,797 people13 mito downtown
- 15C-San Benito24,709 people15 mito downtown
- 16C-La Feria6,891 people25 mito downtown
- 17D+Port Isabel5,111 people14 mito downtown
Living in La Paloma: common questions
Is La Paloma, TX a good place to live?
La Paloma earns a grade of C on our index, 426th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on home ownership and schools, and trails on health and getting around.
How much does it cost to live in La Paloma?
Median rent in La Paloma is $666 a month, 53% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $82,400, 71% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 1.4x 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 $574, including property tax.
Are the schools good in La Paloma?
We found 2 rated public school campuses inside La Paloma. 100% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 77 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.
Does La Paloma flood?
FEMA rates river flooding risk in La Paloma as low, and coastal flooding as very low. 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 La Paloma?
Summers in La Paloma peak at about 97°F in July, and January nights fall to about 51°F. Expect around 151 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 28 inches of rain.
How long is the commute in La Paloma?
The average one-way commute is 29 min, 9% higher than the Texas average. About 24% of workers work from home. It is about 13 miles from downtown Brownsville.
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.