Town in Aransas County, part of the Corpus Christi metro
Living in Lamar, TX
157th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 78 of 100
2nd of 15 in the Corpus Christi area
Lamar gets an overall grade of B+ and ranks 157th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on education levels and jobs and income, and trails on schools and errands and things to do. It is a strong pick for young professionals, retirees and people on a budget.
- Good for young professionals
- Good for retirees
- Good for people on a budget
- Schools scores low (6 of 100)
- Coastal flooding risk is very high
- Population
- 1,202
- Median rent
- No data
- Median home value
- $318,00012% higher than Texas
- Household income
- $86,851Median
- Average commute
- 37 minOne way
- Violent crime
- No dataNo full-year report
What it's like to live in Lamar
Lamar sits about 37 miles from downtown Corpus Christi, in the Corpus Christi metro. About 1,202 people live here. It is small-town and rural in feel.
The median age is 62.7, 8% of households have children, 96% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $86,851 a year (11% higher than the Texas median).
Pros of living in Lamar
No clear standouts in our data.
Cons of living in Lamar
- Long commutes. The average trip to work takes 37 minutes, against 27 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.
- Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of coastal flooding, hurricanes and wildfires as very high here.
Who Lamar suits
- FamiliesNot the best fit. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 33% for families.
- Young professionalsA reasonable fit: household income is 11% higher than the Texas median, with 4 restaurants and 0 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 84% for young professionals.
- RetireesA reasonable fit: 9.1% of working-age adults are uninsured. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 93% for retirees.
- Remote workersA reasonable fit: 90% of homes have broadband. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 72% for remote workers.
- People on a budgetA reasonable fit. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 82% for people on a budget.
Lamar report card
Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Lamar 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+
Homes cost 3.7x income.
76 of 100 vs US townsJobs and income: grade A-
Median household income $86,851, 1.9% unemployed.
86 of 100 vs US townsSchools: grade F
Not enough data.
6 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, 4 restaurants, 5 parks mapped in town.
25 of 100 vs TX townsGetting around: grade C
Average commute 37 min, 32% work from home.
42 of 100 vs US townsEducation levels: grade A
43% have a bachelor’s degree.
91 of 100 vs US townsHealth: grade B
9.1% of adults uninsured.
67 of 100 vs US townsHome ownership: grade B-
96% of homes owner-occupied.
59 of 100 vs US townsInternet access: grade C+
90% of homes have broadband.
52 of 100 vs US towns
Where Lamar stands out compared with Texas
Better than Texas
- Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 0%52 points lower than Texas (52%)
- Homes owned by the people living in them: 96%33 points higher than Texas (63%)
- Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance: 9.1%11 points lower than Texas (20%)
Worse than Texas
- Average commute: 37 min40% higher than Texas (27 min)
- Vacant homes: 20%11 points higher than Texas (9.4%)
Cost of living in Lamar
HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $1,073 for a one-bedroom, $1,404 for a two-bedroom and $1,944 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 $318,000, 12% higher than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $1,741 before tax, or $1,976 with property tax.
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 Lamar pays $2,825 a year, 33% 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 home value12% higher than Texas | $318,000 | $283,800 | $332,700 |
| Home value to incomeAbout the same as Texas | 3.7x | 3.6x | 4.1x |
| Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent52 points lower than Texas | 0% | 52% | 51% |
| Median property tax per year33% lower than Texas | $2,825 | $4,232 | $3,119 |
| Homes owned by the people living in them33 points higher than Texas | 96% | 63% | 65% |
| Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas | 1995 | 1992 | 1980 |
Monthly cost to buy a median home
- Mortgage payment
- $1,741
- Property tax
- $235
Based on a $318,000 home in Lamar, 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 Lamar
Everyday places mapped inside Lamar, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Big Tree - Goose Island State Park.
The average one-way commute is 37 minutes, 40% longer than the Texas average. 32% of workers work from home. 7.2% walk, bike or take transit to work.
Downtown Corpus Christi is about 37 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Lamar work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.
The median household income is $86,851, income per person is $54,680, unemployment is 1.9% and 43% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.
Jobs, income and education
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income11% higher than Texas | $86,851 | $78,476 | $80,734 |
| Income per person34% higher than Texas | $54,680 | $40,752 | $44,673 |
| Unemployment rate3 points lower than Texas | 1.9% | 5.3% | 5.2% |
| People below the poverty line9 points lower than Texas | 4.8% | 14% | 12% |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher9 points higher than Texas | 43% | 34% | 36% |
| Adults with a high school diploma or higher13 points higher than Texas | 99% | 86% | 90% |
| Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance11 points lower than Texas | 9.1% | 20% | 11% |
| Homes with broadband internetAbout the same as Texas | 90% | 91% | 91% |
Getting to work
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average commute40% higher than Texas | 37 min | 27 min | 26 min |
| Workers who work from home17 points higher than Texas | 32% | 14% | 15% |
Who lives in Lamar
Median age 62.7 years. 7.8% of households have children.
Race and ethnicity
Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.
Weather in Lamar
Lamar has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 91°F and January lows about 49°F. There are about 105 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 Rockport Aransas Co Ap, 5 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.
Natural hazard risk
FEMA's National Risk Index says river flooding risk is moderate, coastal flooding risk is very high, hurricane risk is very high, tornado risk is moderate and hail risk is moderate. Even in lower-risk areas, check the FEMA flood map for the exact address before you buy.
- River floodingModerate
- Coastal floodingVery high
- HurricanesVery high
- TornadoesModerate
- HailModerate
- Heat wavesModerate
- WildfiresVery high
- 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 Lamar
Nearby, Rockport gets a D, Aransas Pass gets an F and Refugio 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.
Lamar in the Corpus Christi area
How it ranks among 15 places in the metro.
- 1A-Portland20,543 people12 mito downtown
- 2B+Lamar1,202 people37 mito downtown
- 3BOdem2,102 people20 mito downtown
- 4BPort Aransas3,268 people18 mito downtown
- 5C+Bishop3,103 people28 mito downtown
Living in Lamar: common questions
Is Lamar, TX a good place to live?
Lamar gets an overall grade of B+ and ranks 157th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on education levels and jobs and income, and trails on schools and errands and things to do. It is a strong pick for young professionals, retirees and people on a budget.
How much does it cost to live in Lamar?
The median home is worth $318,000, 12% higher than the Texas median. A median home costs 3.7x 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 $1,976, including property tax.
Does Lamar flood?
FEMA rates river flooding risk in Lamar as moderate, and coastal flooding as very high. Hazards rated high or very high here: coastal flooding, hurricanes and wildfires. Always check the flood map for a specific address before you buy.
What is the weather like in Lamar?
Summers in Lamar peak at about 91°F in July, and January nights fall to about 49°F. Expect around 105 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 28 inches of rain.
How long is the commute in Lamar?
The average one-way commute is 37 min, 40% higher than the Texas average. About 32% of workers work from home. It is about 37 miles from downtown Corpus Christi.
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.