Town in Starr County

Living in Mikes, TX

D+

541st of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 27 of 100

Mikes gets an overall grade of D+ and ranks 541st of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on home ownership and schools, and trails on education levels and health.

  • Short commutes
  • Education levels scores low (1 of 100)
  • Health scores low (2 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Mikes isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthMikes
Where Mikes is in Texas.
Population
1,688
Median rent
No data
Median home value
$95,00067% lower than Texas
Household income
$49,375Median
Average commute
18 minOne way
Violent crime
No dataNo full-year report

What it's like to live in Mikes

Mikes is a town in Starr County. About 1,688 people live here. It is densely built.

The median age is 33.9, 40% of households have children, 92% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $49,375 a year (37% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Mikes

  • Homes are affordable for local incomes. The median home costs 1.9 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.
  • Short commutes. The average trip to work takes 18 minutes, against 27 across Texas.

Cons of living in Mikes

  • Higher poverty. 20% of people live below the poverty line, against 14% across Texas.
  • Many adults uninsured. 44% of adults 18 to 64 have no health insurance, against 20% statewide.
  • Long, hot summers. Expect about 187 days a year at 90°F or hotter.
  • Spotty home internet. Only 75% of homes have a broadband plan.

Who Mikes suits

  • FamiliesA reasonable fit. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 54% for families.
  • Young professionalsNot the best fit: household income is 37% lower than the Texas median, with 2 restaurants and 0 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 21% for young professionals.
  • Remote workersNot the best fit: 75% of homes have broadband. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 3% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetNot the best fit. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 36% for people on a budget.

Mikes report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Mikes 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

    Homes cost 1.9x income.

    45 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade D+

    Median household income $49,375, 2.9% unemployed.

    29 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade B-

    Not enough data.

    57 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, 2 restaurants, 0 parks mapped in town.

    No score vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade C

    Average commute 18 min, 0% work from home.

    47 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade F

    4.1% have a bachelor’s degree.

    1 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade F

    44% of adults uninsured.

    2 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade A-

    92% of homes owner-occupied.

    80 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade F

    75% of homes have broadband.

    6 of 100 vs US towns

Where Mikes stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Homes owned by the people living in them: 92%29 points higher than Texas (63%)
  • Home value to income: 1.9x47% lower than Texas (3.6x)
  • Average commute: 18 min32% lower than Texas (27 min)

Worse than Texas

  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 4.1%30 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 79%27 points higher than Texas (52%)
  • Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance: 44%24 points higher than Texas (20%)

Cost of living in Mikes

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 $95,000, 67% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $520 before tax, or $582 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 Mikes pays $742 a year, 82% 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 MikesStudio$7711 bedroom$7752 bedrooms$1,0143 bedrooms$1,4044 bedrooms$1,471
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Starr County, TX. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median home value67% lower than Texas$95,000$283,800$332,700
Home value to income47% lower than Texas1.9x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent27 points higher than Texas79%52%51%
Median property tax per year82% lower than Texas$742$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them29 points higher than Texas92%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas199319921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$582
Mortgage payment
$520
Property tax
$62

Based on a $95,000 home in Mikes, 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 Mikes

Everyday places mapped inside Mikes, from Overture Maps.

The average one-way commute is 18 minutes, 32% shorter than the Texas average. 0% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.

Downtown Rio Grande City is about 13 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Mikes work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

The median household income is $49,375, income per person is $18,280, unemployment is 2.9% and 4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
1
Pharmacies
0
Restaurants
2
Cafes
0
Bars
0
Parks
0
Gyms
0
Hospitals and urgent care
0
Childcare
0
Libraries
0

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income37% lower than Texas$49,375$78,476$80,734
Income per person55% lower than Texas$18,280$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate2 points lower than Texas2.9%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line6 points higher than Texas20%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher30 points lower than Texas4.1%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher22 points lower than Texas64%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance24 points higher than Texas44%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet16 points lower than Texas75%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute32% lower than Texas18 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home14 points lower than Texas0%14%15%
Workers who work from home0%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk0%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Mikes

Under 1830%
18 to 3421%
35 to 6435%
65 and over14%

Median age 33.9 years. 40% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White0%
Hispanic or Latino100%
Black0%
Asian0%
Other or more than one race0%

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

Weather in Mikes

Mikes has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 99°F and January lows about 45°F. There are about 187 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 22 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Mikes40°60°80°100°71J76F82M89A94M98J99J99A94S88O79N72DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Rio Grande City, 12 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 Mikes

    Nearby, Alto Bonito Heights gets a C, La Grulla gets a D- and Sullivan City 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.

    1. CAlto Bonito HeightsTown, 1,121 people1 mi
    2. D-La GrullaTown, 1,341 people3 mi
    3. D+Sullivan CityTown, 3,902 people5 mi
    4. D-Las LomasTown, 2,154 people10 mi
    5. CLa JoyaTown, 4,763 people11 mi
    6. DSalida del Sol EstatesTown, 7,766 people12 mi

    Living in Mikes: common questions

    Is Mikes, TX a good place to live?

    Mikes gets an overall grade of D+ and ranks 541st of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on home ownership and schools, and trails on education levels and health.

    How much does it cost to live in Mikes?

    The median home is worth $95,000, 67% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 1.9x 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 $582, including property tax.

    What is the weather like in Mikes?

    Summers in Mikes peak at about 99°F in July, and January nights fall to about 45°F. Expect around 187 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 22 inches of rain.

    How long is the commute in Mikes?

    The average one-way commute is 18 min, 32% lower than the Texas average. About 0% of workers work from home. It is about 13 miles from downtown Rio Grande City.

    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.