Town in Cochran County, part of the Lubbock metro

Living in Morton, TX

D-

677th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 9 of 100
14th of 14 in the Lubbock area

Morton earns a grade of D- on our index, 677th 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 education levels and health. It is a strong pick for people on a budget.

  • Good for people on a budget
  • Affordable
  • Jobs and income scores low (10 of 100)
  • Schools scores low (5 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Morton isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthMorton
Where Morton is in Texas.
Population
1,689+1.2% since 2020
Median rent
$68751% lower than Texas
Median home value
$42,60085% lower than Texas
Household income
$38,438Median
Average commute
26 minOne way
Violent crime
No dataNo full-year report

What it's like to live in Morton

Morton sits about 51 miles from downtown Lubbock, in the Lubbock metro. 1,689 people lived here in 2025, up 1.2% from 2020. It is spread out.

The median age is 37.4, 37% of households have children, 63% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $38,438 a year (51% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Morton

  • Lower rent. Median rent is $687, 51% lower than the Texas median.
  • Homes are affordable for local incomes. The median home costs 1.1 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.

Cons of living in Morton

  • Higher poverty. 27% of people live below the poverty line, against 14% across Texas.
  • Many adults uninsured. 35% of adults 18 to 64 have no health insurance, against 20% statewide.
  • Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of tornadoes, hail and wildfires as very high here.
  • Spotty home internet. Only 78% of homes have a broadband plan.

Who Morton suits

  • FamiliesNot the best fit. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 8% for families.
  • Young professionalsNot the best fit: household income is 51% lower than the Texas median, with 4 restaurants and 1 cafe in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 30% for young professionals.
  • RetireesA reasonable fit: 35% of working-age adults are uninsured. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 58% for retirees.
  • Remote workersNot the best fit: 78% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $687 is 51% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 39% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $687 is 51% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 90% for people on a budget.

Morton report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Morton 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 $687, homes cost 1.1x income.

    99 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade D-

    Median household income $38,438, 5.3% unemployed.

    10 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade F

    1 rated campuses, 0% rated A or B.

    5 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: grade C

    1 grocery store, 4 restaurants, 0 parks mapped in town.

    47 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade D+

    Average commute 26 min, 6.1% work from home.

    24 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade F

    5.5% have a bachelor’s degree.

    1 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade F

    35% of adults uninsured.

    4 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade D-

    63% of homes owner-occupied.

    8 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade F

    78% of homes have broadband.

    8 of 100 vs US towns

Where Morton stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Home value to income: 1.1x69% lower than Texas (3.6x)
  • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 25%26 points lower than Texas (52%)
  • Median rent: $68751% lower than Texas ($1,403)

Worse than Texas

  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 5.5%28 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • Median household income: $38,43851% lower than Texas ($78,476)
  • Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance: 35%15 points higher than Texas (20%)

Cost of living in Morton

Morton renters pay a median of $687 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 $27,000 a year for a median unit. Right now 25% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $858 for a one-bedroom, $1,014 for a two-bedroom and $1,224 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 $42,600, 85% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $233 before tax, or $274 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 Morton pays $489 a year, 88% 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 MortonStudio$7351 bedroom$8582 bedrooms$1,0143 bedrooms$1,2244 bedrooms$1,681
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Cochran County, TX HUD Metro FMR Area. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent51% lower than Texas$687$1,403$1,413
Median home value85% lower than Texas$42,600$283,800$332,700
Home value to income69% lower than Texas1.1x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent26 points lower than Texas25%52%51%
Median property tax per year88% lower than Texas$489$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in themAbout the same as Texas63%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas196819921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$274
Mortgage payment
$233
Property tax
$41
Median rent, for comparison
$687

Based on a $42,600 home in Morton, 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 Morton

Morton has 1 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 0% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Morton 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
5
of 100 vs Texas towns
Average rating
66
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

  • DMorton SchoolOther, Morton ISD66 of 100

Daily life in Morton

Everyday places mapped inside Morton, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Cochran County Love Memorial Library.

The average one-way commute is 26 minutes, about the same as the Texas average. 6% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.

Downtown Lubbock is about 51 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Morton work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

The median household income is $38,438, income per person is $20,467, unemployment is 5.3% and 6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
1
Pharmacies
0
Restaurants
4
Cafes
1
Bars
0
Parks
0
Gyms
1
Hospitals and urgent care
2
Childcare
0
Libraries
1

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income51% lower than Texas$38,438$78,476$80,734
Income per person50% lower than Texas$20,467$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rateAbout the same as Texas5.3%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line13 points higher than Texas27%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher28 points lower than Texas5.5%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher21 points lower than Texas65%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance15 points higher than Texas35%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet14 points lower than Texas78%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commuteAbout the same as Texas26 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home8 points lower than Texas6.1%14%15%
Workers who work from home6.1%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk0.4%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Morton

Under 1823%
18 to 3424%
35 to 6434%
65 and over18%

Median age 37.4 years. 37% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White25%
Hispanic or Latino71%
Black2.5%
Asian0%
Other or more than one race1.3%

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

Weather in Morton

Morton has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 93°F and January lows about 24°F. There are about 85 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 18 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Morton20°40°60°80°100°55J59F67M75A84M92J93J92A84S75O64N55DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Morton, 1 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.

Natural hazard risk

FEMA's National Risk Index says river flooding risk is low, hurricane risk is moderate, 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 floodingLow
  • HurricanesModerate
  • TornadoesVery high
  • HailVery high
  • Heat wavesLow
  • WildfiresVery high
  • Winter stormsVery high
  • Strong windVery high

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 Morton

Nearby, Sundown gets an A, Levelland gets a D+ and Sudan gets an A. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.

  1. ASundownTown, 1,374 people24 mi
  2. D+LevellandSmall city, 12,466 people25 mi
  3. ASudanTown, 1,154 people27 mi
  4. C-LittlefieldTown, 5,822 people28 mi
  5. BAntonTown, 1,053 people35 mi
  6. BMuleshoeTown, 5,667 people35 mi

Morton in the Lubbock area

How it ranks among 14 places in the metro.

  1. 1A+Ransom Canyon1,041 people12 mito downtown
  2. 2AShallowater2,955 people11 mito downtown
  3. 3ASundown1,374 people35 mito downtown
  4. 11D+Post4,326 people39 mito downtown
  5. 12DTahoka2,424 people28 mito downtown
  6. 13D-Ralls1,463 people30 mito downtown
  7. 14D-Morton1,513 people51 mito downtown

See all of the best suburbs of lubbock

Living in Morton: common questions

Is Morton, TX a good place to live?

Morton earns a grade of D- on our index, 677th 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 education levels and health. It is a strong pick for people on a budget.

How much does it cost to live in Morton?

Renters in Morton pay a median of $687 a month, 51% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $42,600, 85% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 1.1x 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 $274, including property tax.

Are the schools good in Morton?

We found 1 rated public school campuses inside Morton. 0% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 5 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

Does Morton flood?

FEMA rates river flooding risk in Morton as low, and coastal flooding as not rated. Hazards rated high or very high here: tornadoes, 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 Morton?

Summers in Morton peak at about 93°F in July, and January nights fall to about 24°F. Expect around 85 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 18 inches of rain.

How long is the commute in Morton?

The average one-way commute is 26 min, about the same as the Texas average. About 6.1% of workers work from home. It is about 51 miles from downtown Lubbock.

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.