Town in Cooke County

Living in Lake Kiowa, TX

B

226th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 69 of 100

We give Lake Kiowa a B. It ranks 226th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on jobs and income and education levels, and trails on errands and things to do and schools.

  • Pricey
  • Well connected
  • Cost of living scores low (18 of 100)
  • Schools scores low (11 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Lake Kiowa isHoustonSan AntonioAustinFort WorthLake Kiowa
Where Lake Kiowa is in Texas.
Population
2,476
Median rent
$1,81529% higher than Texas
Median home value
$526,90086% higher than Texas
Household income
$125,956Median
Average commute
30 minOne way
Violent crime
No dataNo full-year report

What it's like to live in Lake Kiowa

Lake Kiowa is a town in Cooke County. About 2,476 people live here. It is spread out.

The median age is 60.3, 17% of households have children, 93% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $125,956 a year (61% higher than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Lake Kiowa

  • High incomes. The median household earns $125,956, 61% higher than the Texas median.
  • Healthier population. Only 6.8% of working-age adults lack health insurance.

Cons of living in Lake Kiowa

  • Higher rent. Median rent is $1,815, 29% higher than the Texas median.
  • Errands mean a drive. Compared with similar Texas places, fewer homes here are within a mile of a grocery store, pharmacy, park or clinic.
  • Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of river flooding, tornadoes and heat waves as very high here.

Who Lake Kiowa suits

  • FamiliesNot the best fit. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 16% for families.
  • Young professionalsA reasonable fit: household income is 61% higher than the Texas median, with 4 restaurants and 0 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 74% for young professionals.
  • RetireesA reasonable fit: 6.8% of working-age adults are uninsured. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 59% for retirees.
  • Remote workersA reasonable fit: 98% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $1,815 is 29% higher than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 68% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetNot the best fit: the median rent of $1,815 is 29% higher than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 19% for people on a budget.

Lake Kiowa report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Lake Kiowa 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 $1,815, homes cost 4.2x income.

    18 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade A+

    Median household income $125,956, 0% unemployed.

    99 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade D-

    Not enough data.

    11 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 D-

    0 grocery stores, 4 restaurants, 1 park mapped in town.

    10 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade B-

    Average commute 30 min, 17% work from home.

    57 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade A

    51% have a bachelor’s degree.

    95 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade A-

    6.8% of adults uninsured.

    84 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade B-

    93% of homes owner-occupied.

    59 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade A

    98% of homes have broadband.

    94 of 100 vs US towns

Where Lake Kiowa stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Homes owned by the people living in them: 93%30 points higher than Texas (63%)
  • Median household income: $125,95661% higher than Texas ($78,476)
  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 51%17 points higher than Texas (34%)

Worse than Texas

  • Median rent: $1,81529% higher than Texas ($1,403)
  • Vacant homes: 18%8 points higher than Texas (9.4%)
  • Home value to income: 4.2x16% higher than Texas (3.6x)

Cost of living in Lake Kiowa

Lake Kiowa renters pay a median of $1,815 a month, 29% higher than the statewide median. The usual rule is to spend no more than 30% of income on rent, which means earning around $73,000 a year for a median unit. Right now 48% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $1,004 for a one-bedroom, $1,314 for a two-bedroom and $1,623 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 $526,900, 86% higher than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $2,884 before tax, or $3,448 with property tax. That is $1,633 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 Lake Kiowa pays $6,762 a year, 60% 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 Lake KiowaStudio$9981 bedroom$1,0042 bedrooms$1,3143 bedrooms$1,6234 bedrooms$1,727
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Cooke County, TX. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent29% higher than Texas$1,815$1,403$1,413
Median home value86% higher than Texas$526,900$283,800$332,700
Home value to income16% higher than Texas4.2x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent4 points lower than Texas48%52%51%
Median property tax per year60% higher than Texas$6,762$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them30 points higher than Texas93%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas199419921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$3,448
Mortgage payment
$2,884
Property tax
$564
Median rent, for comparison
$1,815

Based on a $526,900 home in Lake Kiowa, 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 Lake Kiowa

Everyday places mapped inside Lake Kiowa, from Overture Maps.

The average one-way commute is 30 minutes, 12% longer than the Texas average. 17% of workers work from home. 6.7% walk, bike or take transit to work.

Downtown Gainesville is about 9 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Lake Kiowa work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

The median household income is $125,956, income per person is $90,111, unemployment is 0% and 51% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

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

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income61% higher than Texas$125,956$78,476$80,734
Income per person121% higher than Texas$90,111$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate5 points lower than Texas0%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line12 points lower than Texas2.1%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher17 points higher than Texas51%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher14 points higher than Texas100%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance13 points lower than Texas6.8%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet7 points higher than Texas98%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute12% higher than Texas30 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home3 points higher than Texas17%14%15%
Workers who work from home17%
Workers who take transit4.1%
Workers who walk0%
Workers who bike2.6%

Who lives in Lake Kiowa

Under 1813%
18 to 342.7%
35 to 6447%
65 and over37%

Median age 60.3 years. 17% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White94%
Hispanic or Latino1.3%
Black0%
Asian0%
Other or more than one race4.6%

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

Weather in Lake Kiowa

Lake Kiowa has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 94°F and January lows about 32°F. There are about 82 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 43 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Lake Kiowa30°50°70°90°53J58F66M74A80M88J94J94A87S76O64N54DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Gainesville 5 Ene, 6 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 windVery high

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 Lake Kiowa

Nearby, Collinsville gets a B, Road Runner gets a D- and Tioga gets an A-. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.

  1. BCollinsvilleTown, 2,060 people6 mi
  2. D-Road RunnerTown, 1,021 people7 mi
  3. A-TiogaTown, 1,322 people9 mi
  4. C+WhitesboroTown, 4,173 people9 mi
  5. D-GainesvilleSmall city, 17,883 people10 mi
  6. ALindsayTown, 1,142 people13 mi

Living in Lake Kiowa: common questions

Is Lake Kiowa, TX a good place to live?

We give Lake Kiowa a B. It ranks 226th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on jobs and income and education levels, and trails on errands and things to do and schools.

How much does it cost to live in Lake Kiowa?

Renters in Lake Kiowa pay a median of $1,815 a month, 29% higher than the Texas median. The median home is worth $526,900, 86% higher than the Texas median. A median home costs 4.2x 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 $3,448, including property tax.

Does Lake Kiowa flood?

FEMA rates river flooding risk in Lake Kiowa 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 Lake Kiowa?

Summers in Lake Kiowa peak at about 94°F in July, and January nights fall to about 32°F. Expect around 82 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 43 inches of rain.

How long is the commute in Lake Kiowa?

The average one-way commute is 30 min, 12% higher than the Texas average. About 17% of workers work from home. It is about 9 miles from downtown Gainesville.

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.