Town in Falls County, part of the Waco metro
Living in Marlin, TX
462nd of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 38 of 100
16th of 24 in the Waco area
Marlin gets an overall grade of C- and ranks 462nd of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and errands and things to do, and trails on health and jobs and income.
- Affordable
- Jobs and income scores low (2 of 100)
- Education levels scores low (18 of 100)
- Population
- 5,599+2.7% since 2020
- Median rent
- $68951% lower than Texas
- Median home value
- $66,00077% lower than Texas
- Household income
- $36,426Median
- Average commute
- 24 minOne way
- Violent crime
- 232Per 100k, 2025
What it's like to live in Marlin
Marlin sits about 25 miles from downtown Waco, in the Waco metro. 5,599 people lived here in 2025, up 2.7% from 2020. It is spread out.
Local spots people know include Marlin City Park and Marlin Public Library.
The median age is 35.0, 21% of households have children, 66% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $36,426 a year (54% lower than the Texas median).
Pros of living in Marlin
- Low violent crime. 232 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, 40% lower than the Texas rate.
- Lower rent. Median rent is $689, 51% lower than the Texas median.
- Homes are affordable for local incomes. The median home costs 1.8 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.
Cons of living in Marlin
- Weaker school ratings. Only 33% of the 3 rated campuses earn an A or B from the state.
- Higher unemployment. 14% of the labor force is out of work, against 5.3% statewide.
- Higher poverty. 27% of people live below the poverty line, against 14% across Texas.
- Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of tornadoes and hail as very high here.
- Spotty home internet. Only 75% of homes have a broadband plan.
Who Marlin suits
- FamiliesNot the best fit: 33% of rated schools earn an A or B and violent crime is 40% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 31% for families.
- Young professionalsA strong fit: household income is 54% lower than the Texas median, with 22 restaurants and 3 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 76% for young professionals.
- RetireesA reasonable fit: 22% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 40% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 53% for retirees.
- Remote workersA reasonable fit: 75% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $689 is 51% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 44% for remote workers.
- People on a budgetA strong fit: the median rent of $689 is 51% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 77% for people on a budget.
Marlin report card
Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Marlin 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 A
Median rent $689, homes cost 1.8x income.
88 of 100 vs US townsJobs and income: grade F
Median household income $36,426, 14% unemployed.
2 of 100 vs US townsSchools: grade D+
3 rated campuses, 33% rated A or B.
28 of 100 vs TX townsSafety: grade C-
232 violent crimes per 100k, 839 property crimes per 100k.
35 of 100 vs TX townsErrands and things to do: grade B+
2 grocery stores, 22 restaurants, 4 parks mapped in town.
77 of 100 vs TX townsGetting around: grade B+
Average commute 24 min, 13% work from home.
72 of 100 vs US townsEducation levels: grade D
16% have a bachelor’s degree.
18 of 100 vs US townsHealth: grade F
22% of adults uninsured.
1 of 100 vs US townsHome ownership: grade D
66% of homes owner-occupied.
16 of 100 vs US townsInternet access: grade F
75% of homes have broadband.
5 of 100 vs US towns
Where Marlin stands out compared with Texas
Better than Texas
- Median rent: $68951% lower than Texas ($1,403)
- Home value to income: 1.8x50% lower than Texas (3.6x)
- Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 47%5 points lower than Texas (52%)
Worse than Texas
- Median household income: $36,42654% lower than Texas ($78,476)
- Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 16%18 points lower than Texas (34%)
- Homes with broadband internet: 75%17 points lower than Texas (91%)
Cost of living in Marlin
Marlin renters pay a median of $689 a month, 51% lower than the statewide median. The usual rule is to spend no more than 30% of income on rent, which means earning around $28,000 a year for a median unit. Right now 47% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.
HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $775 for a one-bedroom, $1,014 for a two-bedroom and $1,404 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 $66,000, 77% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $361 before tax, or $488 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 Marlin pays $1,525 a year, 64% 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 rent51% lower than Texas | $689 | $1,403 | $1,413 |
| Median home value77% lower than Texas | $66,000 | $283,800 | $332,700 |
| Home value to income50% lower than Texas | 1.8x | 3.6x | 4.1x |
| Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent5 points lower than Texas | 47% | 52% | 51% |
| Median property tax per year64% lower than Texas | $1,525 | $4,232 | $3,119 |
| Homes owned by the people living in them4 points higher than Texas | 66% | 63% | 65% |
| Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas | 1967 | 1992 | 1980 |
Monthly cost to buy a median home
- Mortgage payment
- $361
- Property tax
- $127
- Median rent, for comparison
- $689
Based on a $66,000 home in Marlin, 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 Marlin safe?
In 2025, Marlin Police Department reported 13 violent crimes and 47 property crimes. That works out to 232 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 40% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 839 property crimes per 100,000, 60% lower than the state rate.
Violent crime is down about 25% 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 by year. The dashed line is the Texas rate for 2025.
Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Marlin Police Department, 2025. Rates count reported crimes only and cover the area this police department serves.
Schools in Marlin
Marlin has 3 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 33% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Marlin 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.
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
- BMarlin HighOther, Marlin ISD80 of 100
- CMarlin ElementaryElementary, Marlin ISD75 of 100
- CMarlin Opportunity CenterOther, Marlin ISD73 of 100
Daily life in Marlin
Everyday places mapped inside Marlin, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Marlin City Park, Marlin Public Library.
The average one-way commute is 24 minutes, 11% shorter than the Texas average. 13% of workers work from home. 4.3% walk, bike or take transit to work.
Downtown Waco is about 25 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Marlin work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.
The median household income is $36,426, income per person is $18,595, unemployment is 14% and 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.
Jobs, income and education
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income54% lower than Texas | $36,426 | $78,476 | $80,734 |
| Income per person54% lower than Texas | $18,595 | $40,752 | $44,673 |
| Unemployment rate9 points higher than Texas | 14% | 5.3% | 5.2% |
| People below the poverty line13 points higher than Texas | 27% | 14% | 12% |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher18 points lower than Texas | 16% | 34% | 36% |
| Adults with a high school diploma or higher3 points lower than Texas | 83% | 86% | 90% |
| Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance2 points higher than Texas | 22% | 20% | 11% |
| Homes with broadband internet17 points lower than Texas | 75% | 91% | 91% |
Getting to work
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average commute11% lower than Texas | 24 min | 27 min | 26 min |
| Workers who work from homeAbout the same as Texas | 13% | 14% | 15% |
Who lives in Marlin
Median age 35.0 years. 21% of households have children.
Race and ethnicity
Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.
Weather in Marlin
Marlin has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 95°F and January lows about 34°F. There are about 102 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 39 inches of rain a year.
Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Marlin, 1 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.
Natural hazard risk
FEMA's National Risk Index says river flooding risk is moderate, hurricane risk is high, tornado risk is very high and hail risk is very high. Even in lower-risk areas, check the FEMA flood map for the exact address before you buy.
- River floodingModerate
- HurricanesHigh
- TornadoesVery high
- HailVery high
- Heat wavesHigh
- WildfiresHigh
- 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 Marlin
Nearby, Riesel gets an A, Rosebud gets a B+ and Mart gets a D+. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.
Marlin in the Waco area
How it ranks among 24 places in the metro.
- 1A+Crawford1,020 people15 mito downtown
- 2A+Willow Grove2,080 people6 mito downtown
- 3A+Woodway9,570 people5 mito downtown
- 13B-Meridian1,638 people37 mito downtown
- 14C+Moody1,390 people20 mito downtown
- 15CBruceville-Eddy1,584 people17 mito downtown
- 16C-Marlin5,516 people25 mito downtown
- 17D+McGregor5,761 people17 mito downtown
- 18D+Mart1,704 people21 mito downtown
- 19D+Laguna Park1,596 people24 mito downtown
Living in Marlin: common questions
Is Marlin, TX a good place to live?
Marlin gets an overall grade of C- and ranks 462nd of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and errands and things to do, and trails on health and jobs and income.
How much does it cost to live in Marlin?
Renters in Marlin pay a median of $689 a month, 51% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $66,000, 77% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 1.8x 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 $488, including property tax.
Is Marlin safe?
In 2025, Marlin Police Department reported 232 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 40% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 839 per 100,000, 60% lower than the Texas rate.
Are the schools good in Marlin?
We found 3 rated public school campuses inside Marlin. 33% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 28 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.
Does Marlin flood?
FEMA rates river flooding risk in Marlin as moderate, and coastal flooding as not rated. Hazards rated high or very high here: hurricanes, 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 Marlin?
Summers in Marlin peak at about 95°F in July, and January nights fall to about 34°F. Expect around 102 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 39 inches of rain.
How long is the commute in Marlin?
The average one-way commute is 24 min, 11% lower than the Texas average. About 13% of workers work from home. It is about 25 miles from downtown Waco.
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.