Town in San Patricio County, part of the Corpus Christi metro
Living in Mathis, TX
494th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 34 of 100
6th of 15 in the Corpus Christi area
Mathis gets an overall grade of C- and ranks 494th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and getting around, and trails on internet access and education levels.
- Affordable
- Short commutes
- Jobs and income scores low (3 of 100)
- Education levels scores low (2 of 100)
- Population
- 4,312-0.5% since 2020
- Median rent
- $83041% lower than Texas
- Median home value
- $81,50071% lower than Texas
- Household income
- $35,271Median
- Average commute
- 20 minOne way
- Violent crime
- 304Per 100k, 2025
What it's like to live in Mathis
Mathis sits about 37 miles from downtown Corpus Christi, in the Corpus Christi metro. 4,312 people lived here in 2025, down 0.5% from 2020. It is spread out.
Places locals use include Gonzalo Paiz Park, Mathis Public Library and Ramsower Park.
The median age is 38.5, 21% of households have children, 64% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $35,271 a year (55% lower than the Texas median).
Pros of living in Mathis
- Lower rent. Median rent is $830, 41% lower than the Texas median.
- Homes are affordable for local incomes. The median home costs 2.3 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.
- Short commutes. The average trip to work takes 20 minutes, against 27 across Texas.
Cons of living in Mathis
- Higher unemployment. 10% of the labor force is out of work, against 5.3% statewide.
- Higher poverty. 29% of people live below the poverty line, against 14% across Texas.
- Many adults uninsured. 42% of adults 18 to 64 have no health insurance, against 20% statewide.
- Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of hurricanes, tornadoes and heat waves as very high here.
- Long, hot summers. Expect about 126 days a year at 90°F or hotter.
Who Mathis suits
- FamiliesNot the best fit: 75% of rated schools earn an A or B and violent crime is 22% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 29% for families.
- Young professionalsA reasonable fit: household income is 55% lower than the Texas median, with 32 restaurants and 2 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 63% for young professionals.
- RetireesNot the best fit: 42% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 22% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 32% for retirees.
- Remote workersNot the best fit: 63% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $830 is 41% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 27% for remote workers.
- People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $830 is 41% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 71% for people on a budget.
Mathis report card
Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Mathis 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 $830, homes cost 2.3x income.
82 of 100 vs US townsJobs and income: grade F
Median household income $35,271, 10% unemployed.
3 of 100 vs US townsSchools: grade C
4 rated campuses, 75% rated A or B.
44 of 100 vs TX townsSafety: grade D
304 violent crimes per 100k, 1,331 property crimes per 100k.
20 of 100 vs TX townsErrands and things to do: grade B-
2 grocery stores, 32 restaurants, 3 parks mapped in town.
64 of 100 vs TX townsGetting around: grade A-
Average commute 20 min, 3.6% work from home.
81 of 100 vs US townsEducation levels: grade F
8.4% have a bachelor’s degree.
2 of 100 vs US townsHealth: grade F
42% of adults uninsured.
3 of 100 vs US townsHome ownership: grade D+
64% of homes owner-occupied.
25 of 100 vs US townsInternet access: grade F
63% of homes have broadband.
1 of 100 vs US towns
Where Mathis stands out compared with Texas
Better than Texas
- Median rent: $83041% lower than Texas ($1,403)
- Home value to income: 2.3x36% lower than Texas (3.6x)
- Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 40%12 points lower than Texas (52%)
Worse than Texas
- Homes with broadband internet: 63%28 points lower than Texas (91%)
- Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 8.4%25 points lower than Texas (34%)
- Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance: 42%22 points higher than Texas (20%)
Cost of living in Mathis
Rent is the cost most newcomers feel first. The median rent in Mathis is $830 a month, 41% lower than the Texas median of $1,403. To keep that rent at 30% of income, a household needs to earn about $33,000 a year. Right now 40% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.
HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $1,176 for a one-bedroom, $1,421 for a two-bedroom and $1,855 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 $81,500, 71% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $446 before tax, or $564 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 Mathis pays $1,409 a year, 67% 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 rent41% lower than Texas | $830 | $1,403 | $1,413 |
| Median home value71% lower than Texas | $81,500 | $283,800 | $332,700 |
| Home value to income36% lower than Texas | 2.3x | 3.6x | 4.1x |
| Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent12 points lower than Texas | 40% | 52% | 51% |
| Median property tax per year67% lower than Texas | $1,409 | $4,232 | $3,119 |
| Homes owned by the people living in them2 points higher than Texas | 64% | 63% | 65% |
| Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas | 1972 | 1992 | 1980 |
Monthly cost to buy a median home
- Mortgage payment
- $446
- Property tax
- $117
- Median rent, for comparison
- $830
Based on a $81,500 home in Mathis, 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 Mathis safe?
In 2025, Mathis Police Department reported 13 violent crimes and 57 property crimes. That works out to 304 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 22% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 1,331 property crimes per 100,000, 36% lower than the state rate.
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, Mathis Police Department, 2025. Rates count reported crimes only and cover the area this police department serves.
Schools in Mathis
Mathis has 4 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 75% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Mathis 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
- BMathis High SchoolHigh, Mathis ISD86 of 100
- BMathis ElementaryElementary, Mathis ISD81 of 100
- BMathis IntermediateElementary, Mathis ISD81 of 100
- DMathis MiddleMiddle, Mathis ISD69 of 100
Daily life in Mathis
Everyday places mapped inside Mathis, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Gonzalo Paiz Park, Mathis Public Library, Ramsower Park.
The average one-way commute is 20 minutes, 25% shorter than the Texas average. 4% of workers work from home. 3.2% walk, bike or take transit to work.
Downtown Corpus Christi is about 37 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Mathis work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.
The median household income is $35,271, income per person is $22,723, unemployment is 10% and 8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.
Jobs, income and education
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income55% lower than Texas | $35,271 | $78,476 | $80,734 |
| Income per person44% lower than Texas | $22,723 | $40,752 | $44,673 |
| Unemployment rate5 points higher than Texas | 10% | 5.3% | 5.2% |
| People below the poverty line16 points higher than Texas | 29% | 14% | 12% |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher25 points lower than Texas | 8.4% | 34% | 36% |
| Adults with a high school diploma or higher21 points lower than Texas | 65% | 86% | 90% |
| Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance22 points higher than Texas | 42% | 20% | 11% |
| Homes with broadband internet28 points lower than Texas | 63% | 91% | 91% |
Getting to work
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average commute25% lower than Texas | 20 min | 27 min | 26 min |
| Workers who work from home11 points lower than Texas | 3.6% | 14% | 15% |
Who lives in Mathis
Median age 38.5 years. 21% of households have children.
Race and ethnicity
Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.
Weather in Mathis
Mathis has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 94°F and January lows about 45°F. There are about 126 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 Mathis 4 Ssw, 5 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 very high, tornado risk is very high and hail risk is high. Even in lower-risk areas, check the FEMA flood map for the exact address before you buy.
- River floodingModerate
- Coastal floodingVery low
- HurricanesVery high
- TornadoesVery high
- HailHigh
- Heat wavesVery high
- WildfiresHigh
- Winter stormsModerate
- 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 Mathis
Nearby, Orange Grove gets a B-, Skidmore gets a C+ and Odem 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.
Mathis 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
- 6C-Mathis4,308 people37 mito downtown
- 7D+Corpus Christi317,419 people0 mito downtown
- 8D+Ingleside9,997 people14 mito downtown
- 9D+Gregory2,003 people14 mito downtown
Living in Mathis: common questions
Is Mathis, TX a good place to live?
Mathis gets an overall grade of C- and ranks 494th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and getting around, and trails on internet access and education levels.
How much does it cost to live in Mathis?
Median rent in Mathis is $830 a month, 41% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $81,500, 71% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 2.3x 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 $564, including property tax.
Is Mathis safe?
In 2025, Mathis Police Department reported 304 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 22% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 1,331 per 100,000, 36% lower than the Texas rate.
Are the schools good in Mathis?
We found 4 rated public school campuses inside Mathis. 75% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 44 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.
Does Mathis flood?
FEMA rates river flooding risk in Mathis as moderate, and coastal flooding as very low. Hazards rated high or very high here: hurricanes, tornadoes, heat waves, hail, wildfires and strong wind. Always check the flood map for a specific address before you buy.
What is the weather like in Mathis?
Summers in Mathis peak at about 94°F in July, and January nights fall to about 45°F. Expect around 126 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 28 inches of rain.
How long is the commute in Mathis?
The average one-way commute is 20 min, 25% lower than the Texas average. About 3.6% 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.