Town in Bastrop County, part of the Austin metro

Living in McDade, TX

D+

546th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 27 of 100
47th of 58 in the Austin area

We give McDade a D+. It ranks 546th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on internet access and jobs and income, and trails on health and education levels.

  • Getting around scores low (18 of 100)
  • Education levels scores low (15 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where McDade isHoustonSan AntonioDallasFort WorthMcDade
Where McDade is in Texas.
Population
1,070
Median rent
$1,20814% lower than Texas
Median home value
$314,30011% higher than Texas
Household income
$50,489Median
Average commute
31 minOne way
Violent crime
No dataNo full-year report

What it's like to live in McDade

McDade sits about 30 miles from downtown Austin, in the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos metro. About 1,070 people live here. It is small-town and rural in feel.

The median age is 39.5, 38% of households have children, 93% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $50,489 a year (36% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in McDade

  • Lower rent. Median rent is $1,208, 14% lower than the Texas median.

Cons of living in McDade

  • Homes are pricey for local incomes. The median home costs 6.2 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.
  • Long commutes. The average trip to work takes 31 minutes, against 27 across Texas.
  • Long, hot summers. Expect about 117 days a year at 90°F or hotter.

Who McDade suits

  • FamiliesNot the best fit. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 27% for families.
  • Young professionalsNot the best fit: household income is 36% lower than the Texas median, with 1 restaurant and 0 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 24% for young professionals.
  • Remote workersA reasonable fit: 93% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $1,208 is 14% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 52% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetNot the best fit: the median rent of $1,208 is 14% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 31% for people on a budget.

McDade report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare McDade 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 C-

    Median rent $1,208, homes cost 6.2x income.

    33 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade B-

    Median household income $50,489, 1.9% unemployed.

    59 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade C

    2 rated campuses, 50% rated A or B.

    43 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

    0 grocery stores, 1 restaurant, 0 parks mapped in town.

    No score vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade D

    Average commute 31 min, 12% work from home.

    18 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade D-

    13% have a bachelor’s degree.

    15 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade D-

    22% of adults uninsured.

    11 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade B-

    93% of homes owner-occupied.

    56 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade B

    93% of homes have broadband.

    67 of 100 vs US towns

Where McDade stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Homes owned by the people living in them: 93%30 points higher than Texas (63%)
  • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 32%20 points lower than Texas (52%)
  • People below the poverty line: 6.3%8 points lower than Texas (14%)

Worse than Texas

  • Home value to income: 6.2x72% higher than Texas (3.6x)
  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 13%21 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • Median household income: $50,48936% lower than Texas ($78,476)

Cost of living in McDade

Rent is the cost most newcomers feel first. The median rent in McDade is $1,208 a month, 14% lower than the Texas median of $1,403. To keep that rent at 30% of income, a household needs to earn about $48,000 a year. Right now 32% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $1,530 for a one-bedroom, $1,817 for a two-bedroom and $2,292 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 $314,300, 11% higher than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $1,720 before tax, or $2,081 with property tax. That is $873 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 McDade pays $4,326 a year, about the same as 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 McDadeStudio$1,4471 bedroom$1,5302 bedrooms$1,8173 bedrooms$2,2924 bedrooms$2,689
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX MSA. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent14% lower than Texas$1,208$1,403$1,413
Median home value11% higher than Texas$314,300$283,800$332,700
Home value to income72% higher than Texas6.2x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent20 points lower than Texas32%52%51%
Median property tax per yearAbout the same as Texas$4,326$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 Texas198019921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$2,081
Mortgage payment
$1,720
Property tax
$360
Median rent, for comparison
$1,208

Based on a $314,300 home in McDade, 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.

Schools in McDade

McDade has 2 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 50% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by McDade 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.

Schools grade
43
of 100 vs Texas towns
Average rating
79
Texas median 81

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

  • BMcDade High SchoolOther, McDade ISD85 of 100
  • CMcDade ElementaryElementary, McDade ISD73 of 100

Daily life in McDade

Everyday places mapped inside McDade, from Overture Maps.

The average one-way commute is 31 minutes, 17% longer than the Texas average. 12% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.

Downtown Austin is about 30 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in McDade work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

The median household income is $50,489, income per person is $23,363, unemployment is 1.9% and 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

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

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income36% lower than Texas$50,489$78,476$80,734
Income per person43% lower than Texas$23,363$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate3 points lower than Texas1.9%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line8 points lower than Texas6.3%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher21 points lower than Texas13%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher1 points lower than Texas85%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance2 points higher than Texas22%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet2 points higher than Texas93%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute17% higher than Texas31 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home3 points lower than Texas12%14%15%
Workers who work from home12%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk1.2%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in McDade

Under 1842%
18 to 345.1%
35 to 6423%
65 and over30%

Median age 39.5 years. 38% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White38%
Hispanic or Latino60%
Black0%
Asian0%
Other or more than one race1.9%

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

Weather in McDade

McDade has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 95°F and January lows about 39°F. There are about 117 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 36 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in McDade30°50°70°90°61J64F71M78A85M92J95J96A90S81O70N62DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Elgin 1 N, 9 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 McDade

    Nearby, Camp Swift gets an F, Circle D-KC Estates gets a C- and Elgin 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. FCamp SwiftTown, 8,239 people7 mi
    2. C-Circle D-KC EstatesTown, 3,135 people8 mi
    3. C+ElginSmall city, 11,563 people10 mi
    4. C+BastropSmall city, 11,156 people12 mi
    5. FManorSmall city, 18,603 people16 mi
    6. D+LexingtonTown, 1,365 people17 mi

    McDade in the Austin area

    How it ranks among 58 places in the metro.

    1. 1A+The Hills2,516 people14 mito downtown
    2. 2A+Rollingwood1,316 people3 mito downtown
    3. 3A+Brushy Creek19,576 people15 mito downtown
    4. 44D+Garfield1,926 people14 mito downtown
    5. 45D+Granger1,046 people34 mito downtown
    6. 46D+Smithville4,216 people41 mito downtown
    7. 47D+McDade1,070 people30 mito downtown
    8. 48D+Martindale1,072 people32 mito downtown
    9. 49DLuling5,531 people43 mito downtown
    10. 50D-San Marcos70,897 people31 mito downtown

    See all of the best suburbs of austin

    Living in McDade: common questions

    Is McDade, TX a good place to live?

    We give McDade a D+. It ranks 546th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on internet access and jobs and income, and trails on health and education levels.

    How much does it cost to live in McDade?

    Median rent in McDade is $1,208 a month, 14% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $314,300, 11% higher than the Texas median. A median home costs 6.2x 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 $2,081, including property tax.

    Are the schools good in McDade?

    We found 2 rated public school campuses inside McDade. 50% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 43 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

    What is the weather like in McDade?

    Summers in McDade peak at about 95°F in July, and January nights fall to about 39°F. Expect around 117 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 36 inches of rain.

    How long is the commute in McDade?

    The average one-way commute is 31 min, 17% higher than the Texas average. About 12% of workers work from home. It is about 30 miles from downtown Austin.

    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.