Town in Bailey County

Living in Muleshoe, TX

B

205th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 72 of 100

Muleshoe earns a grade of B on our index, 205th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on errands and things to do and cost of living, and trails on education levels and health. It is a strong pick for young professionals and people on a budget.

  • Good for young professionals
  • Good for people on a budget
  • Affordable
  • Short commutes
  • Education levels scores low (8 of 100)
  • Health scores low (16 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Muleshoe isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthMuleshoe
Where Muleshoe is in Texas.
Population
5,162+0.6% since 2020
Median rent
$93833% lower than Texas
Median home value
$98,60065% lower than Texas
Household income
$69,097Median
Average commute
19 minOne way
Violent crime
133Per 100k, 2025

What it's like to live in Muleshoe

Muleshoe is a town in Bailey County. 5,162 people lived here in 2025, up 0.6% from 2020. It is spread out.

Places locals use include Babe Ruth Park, City Park and Muleshoe City Park.

The median age is 33.1, 44% of households have children, 80% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $69,097 a year (12% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Muleshoe

  • Low violent crime. 133 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, 66% lower than the Texas rate.
  • Lower rent. Median rent is $938, 33% lower than the Texas median.
  • Homes are affordable for local incomes. The median home costs 1.4 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.
  • Short commutes. The average trip to work takes 19 minutes, against 27 across Texas.

Cons of living in Muleshoe

  • Many adults uninsured. 31% 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.

Who Muleshoe suits

  • FamiliesA reasonable fit: 25% of rated schools earn an A or B and violent crime is 66% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 64% for families.
  • Young professionalsA strong fit: household income is 12% lower than the Texas median, with 21 restaurants and 2 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 85% for young professionals.
  • RetireesA strong fit: 31% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 66% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 79% for retirees.
  • Remote workersA reasonable fit: 82% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $938 is 33% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 51% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA strong fit: the median rent of $938 is 33% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 81% for people on a budget.

Muleshoe report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Muleshoe 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 $938, homes cost 1.4x income.

    78 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade B+

    Median household income $69,097, 0% unemployed.

    72 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade C

    4 rated campuses, 25% rated A or B.

    43 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Safety: grade B-

    133 violent crimes per 100k, 419 property crimes per 100k.

    59 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Errands and things to do: grade B+

    5 grocery stores, 21 restaurants, 5 parks mapped in town.

    78 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade C

    Average commute 19 min, 3.5% work from home.

    42 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade F

    13% have a bachelor’s degree.

    8 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade D

    31% of adults uninsured.

    16 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade C

    80% of homes owner-occupied.

    41 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade D

    82% of homes have broadband.

    17 of 100 vs US towns

Where Muleshoe stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Home value to income: 1.4x61% lower than Texas (3.6x)
  • Homes owned by the people living in them: 80%17 points higher than Texas (63%)
  • Median rent: $93833% lower than Texas ($1,403)

Worse than Texas

  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 13%21 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance: 31%11 points higher than Texas (20%)
  • Homes with broadband internet: 82%9 points lower than Texas (91%)

Cost of living in Muleshoe

Rent is the cost most newcomers feel first. The median rent in Muleshoe is $938 a month, 33% lower than the Texas median of $1,403. To keep that rent at 30% of income, a household needs to earn about $38,000 a year. Right now 46% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $808 for a one-bedroom, $1,015 for a two-bedroom and $1,312 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 $98,600, 65% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $540 before tax, or $660 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 Muleshoe pays $1,448 a year, 66% 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 MuleshoeStudio$7721 bedroom$8082 bedrooms$1,0153 bedrooms$1,3124 bedrooms$1,462
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Bailey County, TX. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent33% lower than Texas$938$1,403$1,413
Median home value65% lower than Texas$98,600$283,800$332,700
Home value to income61% lower than Texas1.4x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent6 points lower than Texas46%52%51%
Median property tax per year66% lower than Texas$1,448$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them17 points higher than Texas80%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas196819921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$660
Mortgage payment
$540
Property tax
$121
Median rent, for comparison
$938

Based on a $98,600 home in Muleshoe, 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 Muleshoe safe?

In 2025, Muleshoe Police Department reported 7 violent crimes and 22 property crimes. That works out to 133 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 66% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 419 property crimes per 100,000, 80% lower than the state rate.

Violent crime is up about 60% since 2021, based on the yearly rates below.

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 in Muleshoe by yearTexas13320212022202320242025

Violent crimes per 100,000 people by year. The dashed line is the Texas rate for 2025.

Violent crime
133
per 100k, Texas 387
Property crime
419
per 100k, Texas 2,086
Property crimes per 100,000 people in Muleshoe by yearTexas41920212022202320242025

Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.

Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Muleshoe Police Department, 2025. Rates count reported crimes only and cover the area this police department serves.

Schools in Muleshoe

Muleshoe has 4 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 25% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Muleshoe 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

  • BMuleshoe High SchoolHigh, Muleshoe ISD87 of 100
  • CWatson Junior HighMiddle, Muleshoe ISD79 of 100
  • CDillman ElementaryElementary, Muleshoe ISD75 of 100
  • CMary Deshazo ElementaryElementary, Muleshoe ISD75 of 100

Daily life in Muleshoe

Everyday places mapped inside Muleshoe, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Babe Ruth Park, City Park, Muleshoe City Park.

The average one-way commute is 19 minutes, 27% shorter than the Texas average. 3% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.

The median household income is $69,097, income per person is $32,533, unemployment is 0% and 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
5
Pharmacies
1
Restaurants
21
Cafes
2
Bars
0
Parks
5
Gyms
1
Hospitals and urgent care
1
Childcare
1
Libraries
1

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income12% lower than Texas$69,097$78,476$80,734
Income per person20% lower than Texas$32,533$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate5 points lower than Texas0%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line3 points lower than Texas11%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher21 points lower than Texas13%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher12 points lower than Texas74%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance11 points higher than Texas31%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet9 points lower than Texas82%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute27% lower than Texas19 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home11 points lower than Texas3.5%14%15%
Workers who work from home3.5%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk0%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Muleshoe

Under 1826%
18 to 3429%
35 to 6425%
65 and over20%

Median age 33.1 years. 44% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White24%
Hispanic or Latino72%
Black0.8%
Asian0%
Other or more than one race3.3%

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

Weather in Muleshoe

Muleshoe has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 92°F and January lows about 20°F. There are about 78 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 18 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Muleshoe20°40°60°80°100°53J58F66M74A82M90J92J90A83S74O62N54DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Muleshoe #1, 1 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 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 floodingModerate
  • HurricanesModerate
  • TornadoesVery high
  • HailVery high
  • Heat wavesHigh
  • 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 Muleshoe

Nearby, Sudan gets an A, Farwell gets a B and Bovina 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. ASudanTown, 1,154 people16 mi
  2. BFarwellTown, 1,306 people21 mi
  3. DBovinaTown, 1,488 people22 mi
  4. A-FrionaTown, 4,102 people28 mi
  5. C-LittlefieldTown, 5,822 people31 mi
  6. B-DimmittTown, 4,107 people32 mi

Living in Muleshoe: common questions

Is Muleshoe, TX a good place to live?

Muleshoe earns a grade of B on our index, 205th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on errands and things to do and cost of living, and trails on education levels and health. It is a strong pick for young professionals and people on a budget.

How much does it cost to live in Muleshoe?

Median rent in Muleshoe is $938 a month, 33% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $98,600, 65% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 1.4x 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 $660, including property tax.

Is Muleshoe safe?

In 2025, Muleshoe Police Department reported 133 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 66% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 419 per 100,000, 80% lower than the Texas rate.

Are the schools good in Muleshoe?

We found 4 rated public school campuses inside Muleshoe. 25% 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.

Does Muleshoe flood?

FEMA rates river flooding risk in Muleshoe as moderate, and coastal flooding as not rated. Hazards rated high or very high here: tornadoes, heat waves, 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 Muleshoe?

Summers in Muleshoe peak at about 92°F in July, and January nights fall to about 20°F. Expect around 78 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 18 inches of rain.

How long is the commute in Muleshoe?

The average one-way commute is 19 min, 27% lower than the Texas average. About 3.5% of workers work from home.

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.