Town in McLennan County, part of the Waco metro

Living in Mart, TX

D+

525th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 29 of 100
18th of 24 in the Waco area

We give Mart a D+. It ranks 525th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on schools and cost of living, and trails on home ownership and health.

  • Education levels scores low (19 of 100)
  • Health scores low (16 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Mart isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthMart
Where Mart is in Texas.
Population
1,847+3.7% since 2020
Median rent
$89536% lower than Texas
Median home value
$116,10059% lower than Texas
Household income
$62,917Median
Average commute
33 minOne way
Violent crime
No dataNo full-year report

What it's like to live in Mart

Mart sits about 21 miles from downtown Waco, in the Waco metro. 1,847 people lived here in 2025, up 3.7% from 2020. It is spread out, with an older housing stock (the median home dates to 1960).

Places locals use include Rucker Park and Nancy Nail Memorial Library.

The median age is 38.1, 37% of households have children, 64% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $62,917 a year (20% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Mart

  • Lower rent. Median rent is $895, 36% 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 Mart

  • Higher unemployment. 8.4% of the labor force is out of work, against 5.3% statewide.
  • Long commutes. The average trip to work takes 33 minutes, against 27 across Texas.

Who Mart suits

  • FamiliesA reasonable fit. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 47% for families.
  • Young professionalsNot the best fit: household income is 20% lower than the Texas median, with 9 restaurants and 0 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 17% for young professionals.
  • Remote workersNot the best fit: 82% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $895 is 36% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 20% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $895 is 36% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 58% for people on a budget.

Mart report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Mart 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 $895, homes cost 1.8x income.

    65 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade D

    Median household income $62,917, 8.4% unemployed.

    24 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade B

    Not enough data.

    69 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: no grade

    1 grocery store, 9 restaurants, 1 park mapped in town.

    No score vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade D

    Average commute 33 min, 7.0% work from home.

    22 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade D

    12% have a bachelor’s degree.

    19 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade D-

    15% of adults uninsured.

    16 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade D-

    64% of homes owner-occupied.

    10 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade D

    82% of homes have broadband.

    16 of 100 vs US towns

Where Mart stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Home value to income: 1.8x49% lower than Texas (3.6x)
  • Median rent: $89536% lower than Texas ($1,403)
  • Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance: 15%5 points lower than Texas (20%)

Worse than Texas

  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 12%22 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • Vacant homes: 22%13 points higher than Texas (9.4%)
  • Homes with broadband internet: 82%9 points lower than Texas (91%)

Cost of living in Mart

Rent is the cost most newcomers feel first. The median rent in Mart is $895 a month, 36% lower than the Texas median of $1,403. To keep that rent at 30% of income, a household needs to earn about $36,000 a year. Right now 57% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $1,029 for a one-bedroom, $1,297 for a two-bedroom and $1,693 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 $116,100, 59% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $635 before tax, or $799 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 Mart pays $1,959 a year, 54% 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

Fair market rent by bedroom count in MartStudio$9031 bedroom$1,0292 bedrooms$1,2973 bedrooms$1,6934 bedrooms$1,705
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Waco, TX HUD Metro FMR Area. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent36% lower than Texas$895$1,403$1,413
Median home value59% lower than Texas$116,100$283,800$332,700
Home value to income49% lower than Texas1.8x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent5 points higher than Texas57%52%51%
Median property tax per year54% lower than Texas$1,959$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them1 points higher than Texas64%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas196019921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$799
Mortgage payment
$635
Property tax
$163
Median rent, for comparison
$895

Based on a $116,100 home in Mart, 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 Mart

Everyday places mapped inside Mart, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Rucker Park, Nancy Nail Memorial Library.

The average one-way commute is 33 minutes, 22% longer than the Texas average. 7% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.

Downtown Waco is about 21 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Mart work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

The median household income is $62,917, income per person is $29,432, unemployment is 8.4% and 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
1
Pharmacies
0
Restaurants
9
Cafes
0
Bars
0
Parks
1
Gyms
0
Hospitals and urgent care
0
Childcare
0
Libraries
1

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income20% lower than Texas$62,917$78,476$80,734
Income per person28% lower than Texas$29,432$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate3 points higher than Texas8.4%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty lineAbout the same as Texas15%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher22 points lower than Texas12%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher2 points higher than Texas88%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance5 points lower than Texas15%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet9 points lower than Texas82%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute22% higher than Texas33 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home7 points lower than Texas7.0%14%15%
Workers who work from home7.0%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk2.0%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Mart

Under 1828%
18 to 3419%
35 to 6436%
65 and over17%

Median age 38.1 years. 37% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White54%
Hispanic or Latino5.5%
Black29%
Asian0%
Other or more than one race11%

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

Weather in Mart

Mart 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 monthly high and low temperatures in Mart30°50°70°90°59J63F69M77A83M91J94J96A90S81O69N61DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Marlin, 17 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.

Natural hazard risk

    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 Mart

    Nearby, Riesel gets an A, Bellmead gets an F and Marlin 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. ARieselTown, 1,453 people7 mi
    2. FBellmeadSmall city, 10,566 people15 mi
    3. C-MarlinTown, 5,516 people17 mi
    4. FLacy-LakeviewTown, 7,274 people17 mi
    5. C+GroesbeckTown, 3,914 people18 mi
    6. B+RobinsonSmall city, 12,800 people18 mi

    Mart in the Waco area

    How it ranks among 24 places in the metro.

    1. 1A+Crawford1,020 people15 mito downtown
    2. 2A+Willow Grove2,080 people6 mito downtown
    3. 3A+Woodway9,570 people5 mito downtown
    4. 15CBruceville-Eddy1,584 people17 mito downtown
    5. 16C-Marlin5,516 people25 mito downtown
    6. 17D+McGregor5,761 people17 mito downtown
    7. 18D+Mart1,704 people21 mito downtown
    8. 19D+Laguna Park1,596 people24 mito downtown
    9. 20DValley Mills1,136 people16 mito downtown
    10. 21D-Beverly Hills1,590 people3 mito downtown

    See all of the best suburbs of waco

    Living in Mart: common questions

    Is Mart, TX a good place to live?

    We give Mart a D+. It ranks 525th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on schools and cost of living, and trails on home ownership and health.

    How much does it cost to live in Mart?

    Median rent in Mart is $895 a month, 36% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $116,100, 59% 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 $799, including property tax.

    Is Mart safe?

    In 2022, Mart Police Department reported 0 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 100% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 0 per 100,000, 100% lower than the Texas rate. This agency reported only part of the year, so the rate is shown but not scored.

    What is the weather like in Mart?

    Summers in Mart 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 Mart?

    The average one-way commute is 33 min, 22% higher than the Texas average. About 7.0% of workers work from home. It is about 21 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.