Town in Travis County, part of the Austin metro
Living in Mustang Ridge, TX
675th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 9 of 100
53rd of 58 in the Austin area
Mustang Ridge gets an overall grade of D- and ranks 675th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on home ownership and jobs and income, and trails on safety and health.
- Schools scores low (20 of 100)
- Safety scores low (1 of 100)
- Population
- 1,025+7.9% since 2020
- Median rent
- $1,368about the same as Texas
- Median home value
- $320,90013% higher than Texas
- Household income
- $86,080Median
- Average commute
- 41 minOne way
- Violent crime
- 1,378Per 100k, 2025
What it's like to live in Mustang Ridge
Mustang Ridge sits about 17 miles from downtown Austin, in the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos metro. 1,025 people lived here in 2025, up 7.9% from 2020. It is small-town and rural in feel.
The median age is 34.8, 32% of households have children, 90% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $86,080 a year (10% higher than the Texas median).
Pros of living in Mustang Ridge
No clear standouts in our data.
Cons of living in Mustang Ridge
- Higher violent crime. 1,378 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, 256% higher than the Texas rate.
- Long commutes. The average trip to work takes 41 minutes, against 27 across Texas.
- Many adults uninsured. 32% of adults 18 to 64 have no health insurance, against 20% statewide.
- Long, hot summers. Expect about 124 days a year at 90°F or hotter.
Who Mustang Ridge suits
- FamiliesNot the best fit: violent crime is 256% higher than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 5% for families.
- Young professionalsNot the best fit: household income is 10% higher than the Texas median, with 9 restaurants and 0 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 28% for young professionals.
- RetireesNot the best fit: 32% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 256% higher than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 1% for retirees.
- Remote workersNot the best fit: 86% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $1,368 is about the same as the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 13% for remote workers.
- People on a budgetNot the best fit: the median rent of $1,368 is about the same as the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 39% for people on a budget.
Mustang Ridge report card
Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Mustang Ridge 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 $1,368, homes cost 3.7x income.
39 of 100 vs US townsJobs and income: grade B
Median household income $86,080, 3.5% unemployed.
68 of 100 vs US townsSchools: grade D
Not enough data.
20 of 100 vs TX townsSafety: grade F
1,378 violent crimes per 100k, 3,150 property crimes per 100k.
2 of 100 vs TX townsErrands and things to do: no grade
2 grocery stores, 9 restaurants, 0 parks mapped in town.
No score vs TX townsGetting around: grade D-
Average commute 41 min, 12% work from home.
8 of 100 vs US townsEducation levels: grade D
20% have a bachelor’s degree.
20 of 100 vs US townsHealth: grade F
32% of adults uninsured.
6 of 100 vs US townsHome ownership: grade A
90% of homes owner-occupied.
95 of 100 vs US townsInternet access: grade D+
86% of homes have broadband.
31 of 100 vs US towns
Where Mustang Ridge stands out compared with Texas
Better than Texas
- Homes owned by the people living in them: 90%27 points higher than Texas (63%)
- Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 35%16 points lower than Texas (52%)
- Vacant homes: 1.8%8 points lower than Texas (9.4%)
Worse than Texas
- Average commute: 41 min53% higher than Texas (27 min)
- Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 20%14 points lower than Texas (34%)
- Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance: 32%13 points higher than Texas (20%)
Cost of living in Mustang Ridge
Mustang Ridge renters pay a median of $1,368 a month, about the same as the statewide median. The usual rule is to spend no more than 30% of income on rent, which means earning around $55,000 a year for a median unit. Right now 35% 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 $320,900, 13% higher than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $1,757 before tax, or $2,037 with property tax. That is $669 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 it leans on property taxes instead, though they are lighter here than in much of the state. The median homeowner in Mustang Ridge pays $3,364 a year, 21% 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 rentAbout the same as Texas | $1,368 | $1,403 | $1,413 |
| Median home value13% higher than Texas | $320,900 | $283,800 | $332,700 |
| Home value to income3% higher than Texas | 3.7x | 3.6x | 4.1x |
| Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent16 points lower than Texas | 35% | 52% | 51% |
| Median property tax per year21% lower than Texas | $3,364 | $4,232 | $3,119 |
| Homes owned by the people living in them27 points higher than Texas | 90% | 63% | 65% |
| Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas | 1995 | 1992 | 1980 |
Monthly cost to buy a median home
- Mortgage payment
- $1,757
- Property tax
- $280
- Median rent, for comparison
- $1,368
Based on a $320,900 home in Mustang Ridge, 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 Mustang Ridge safe?
In 2025, Mustang Ridge Police Department reported 14 violent crimes and 32 property crimes. That works out to 1,378 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 256% higher than the Texas rate of 387, and 3,150 property crimes per 100,000, 51% higher than the state rate.
Violent crime is up about 181% 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 by year. The dashed line is the Texas rate for 2025.
Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Mustang Ridge Police Department, 2025. Rates count reported crimes only and cover the area this police department serves.
Daily life in Mustang Ridge
Everyday places mapped inside Mustang Ridge, from Overture Maps.
The average one-way commute is 41 minutes, 53% 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 17 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Mustang Ridge work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.
The median household income is $86,080, income per person is $29,076, unemployment is 3.5% and 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.
Jobs, income and education
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income10% higher than Texas | $86,080 | $78,476 | $80,734 |
| Income per person29% lower than Texas | $29,076 | $40,752 | $44,673 |
| Unemployment rate2 points lower than Texas | 3.5% | 5.3% | 5.2% |
| People below the poverty line6 points lower than Texas | 8.1% | 14% | 12% |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher14 points lower than Texas | 20% | 34% | 36% |
| Adults with a high school diploma or higher10 points lower than Texas | 76% | 86% | 90% |
| Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance13 points higher than Texas | 32% | 20% | 11% |
| Homes with broadband internet5 points lower than Texas | 86% | 91% | 91% |
Getting to work
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average commute53% higher than Texas | 41 min | 27 min | 26 min |
| Workers who work from home3 points lower than Texas | 12% | 14% | 15% |
Who lives in Mustang Ridge
Median age 34.8 years. 32% of households have children.
Race and ethnicity
Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.
Weather in Mustang Ridge
Mustang Ridge has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 96°F and January lows about 38°F. There are about 124 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 36 inches of rain a year.
Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Austin Bergstrom Ap, 8 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 Mustang Ridge
Nearby, Niederwald gets an F, Uhland gets a C+ and Buda 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.
- FNiederwaldTown, 1,029 people6 mi
- C+UhlandTown, 2,520 people9 mi
- A-BudaSmall city, 15,859 people9 mi
- FCedar CreekTown, 4,440 people9 mi
- D-San LeannaTown, 1,047 people10 mi
- B+ManchacaTown, 2,171 people10 mi
Mustang Ridge in the Austin area
How it ranks among 58 places in the metro.
- 1A+The Hills2,516 people14 mito downtown
- 2A+Rollingwood1,316 people3 mito downtown
- 3A+Brushy Creek19,576 people15 mito downtown
- 50D-San Marcos70,897 people31 mito downtown
- 51D-San Leanna1,047 people11 mito downtown
- 52D-Hornsby Bend12,367 people11 mito downtown
- 53D-Mustang Ridge1,750 people17 mito downtown
- 54FManor18,603 people16 mito downtown
- 55FRosanky1,695 people36 mito downtown
- 56FNiederwald1,029 people21 mito downtown
Living in Mustang Ridge: common questions
Is Mustang Ridge, TX a good place to live?
Mustang Ridge gets an overall grade of D- and ranks 675th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on home ownership and jobs and income, and trails on safety and health.
How much does it cost to live in Mustang Ridge?
Renters in Mustang Ridge pay a median of $1,368 a month, about the same as the Texas median. The median home is worth $320,900, 13% higher than the Texas median. A median home costs 3.7x 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 $2,037, including property tax.
Is Mustang Ridge safe?
In 2025, Mustang Ridge Police Department reported 1,378 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 256% higher than the Texas rate. Property crime was 3,150 per 100,000, 51% higher than the Texas rate.
What is the weather like in Mustang Ridge?
Summers in Mustang Ridge peak at about 96°F in July, and January nights fall to about 38°F. Expect around 124 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 36 inches of rain.
How long is the commute in Mustang Ridge?
The average one-way commute is 41 min, 53% higher than the Texas average. About 12% of workers work from home. It is about 17 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.