Town in Hidalgo County, part of the McAllen metro

Living in Olivarez, TX

D

569th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 23 of 100
31st of 46 in the McAllen area

We give Olivarez a D. It ranks 569th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on home ownership and cost of living, and trails on health and education levels.

  • Getting around scores low (17 of 100)
  • Education levels scores low (4 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Olivarez isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthOlivarez
Where Olivarez is in Texas.
Population
6,326
Median rent
$86039% lower than Texas
Median home value
$79,30072% lower than Texas
Household income
$64,599Median
Average commute
25 minOne way
Violent crime
No dataNo full-year report

What it's like to live in Olivarez

Olivarez sits about 16 miles from downtown McAllen, in the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission metro. About 6,326 people live here. It is spread out, with mostly newer homes (the median home was built in 2003).

The median age is 19.2, 53% of households have children, 92% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $64,599 a year (18% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Olivarez

  • Lower rent. Median rent is $860, 39% lower than the Texas median.
  • Homes are affordable for local incomes. The median home costs 1.2 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.

Cons of living in Olivarez

  • Many adults uninsured. 46% of adults 18 to 64 have no health insurance, against 20% statewide.
  • Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of hurricanes and hail as very high here.
  • Long, hot summers. Expect about 160 days a year at 90°F or hotter.

Who Olivarez suits

  • FamiliesA reasonable fit. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 46% for families.
  • Young professionalsNot the best fit: household income is 18% lower than the Texas median, with 11 restaurants and 0 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 13% for young professionals.
  • RetireesNot the best fit: 46% of working-age adults are uninsured. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 17% for retirees.
  • Remote workersNot the best fit: 82% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $860 is 39% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 19% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $860 is 39% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 67% for people on a budget.

Olivarez report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Olivarez 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 $860, homes cost 1.2x income.

    74 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade D

    Median household income $64,599, 6.8% unemployed.

    23 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade C-

    Not enough data.

    39 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 D+

    1 grocery store, 11 restaurants, 0 parks mapped in town.

    27 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade D

    Average commute 25 min, 9.7% work from home.

    17 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade F

    10% have a bachelor’s degree.

    4 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade F

    46% of adults uninsured.

    1 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade A

    92% of homes owner-occupied.

    90 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade D-

    82% of homes have broadband.

    15 of 100 vs US towns

Where Olivarez stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Homes owned by the people living in them: 92%30 points higher than Texas (63%)
  • Home value to income: 1.2x66% lower than Texas (3.6x)
  • Median rent: $86039% lower than Texas ($1,403)

Worse than Texas

  • Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance: 46%26 points higher than Texas (20%)
  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 10%23 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • Homes with broadband internet: 82%10 points lower than Texas (91%)

Cost of living in Olivarez

Rent is the cost most newcomers feel first. The median rent in Olivarez is $860 a month, 39% lower than the Texas median of $1,403. To keep that rent at 30% of income, a household needs to earn about $34,000 a year. Right now 54% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $806 for a one-bedroom, $1,017 for a two-bedroom and $1,305 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 $79,300, 72% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $434 before tax, or $563 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 Olivarez pays $1,552 a year, 63% 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 OlivarezStudio$8011 bedroom$8062 bedrooms$1,0173 bedrooms$1,3054 bedrooms$1,439
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX MSA. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent39% lower than Texas$860$1,403$1,413
Median home value72% lower than Texas$79,300$283,800$332,700
Home value to income66% lower than Texas1.2x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent2 points higher than Texas54%52%51%
Median property tax per year63% lower than Texas$1,552$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them30 points higher than Texas92%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas200319921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$563
Mortgage payment
$434
Property tax
$129
Median rent, for comparison
$860

Based on a $79,300 home in Olivarez, 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 Olivarez

Everyday places mapped inside Olivarez, from Overture Maps.

The average one-way commute is 25 minutes, 5% shorter than the Texas average. 10% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.

Downtown McAllen is about 16 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Olivarez work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

The median household income is $64,599, income per person is $14,717, unemployment is 6.8% and 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
1
Pharmacies
0
Restaurants
11
Cafes
0
Bars
0
Parks
0
Gyms
0
Hospitals and urgent care
0
Childcare
0
Libraries
0

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income18% lower than Texas$64,599$78,476$80,734
Income per person64% lower than Texas$14,717$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate2 points higher than Texas6.8%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line5 points higher than Texas19%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher23 points lower than Texas10%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher22 points lower than Texas64%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance26 points higher than Texas46%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet10 points lower than Texas82%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute5% lower than Texas25 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home5 points lower than Texas9.7%14%15%
Workers who work from home9.7%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk0%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Olivarez

Under 1848%
18 to 3419%
35 to 6424%
65 and over8.8%

Median age 19.2 years. 53% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White0.6%
Hispanic or Latino99%
Black0%
Asian0%
Other or more than one race0%

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

Weather in Olivarez

Olivarez has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 96°F and January lows about 50°F. There are about 160 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 26 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Olivarez50°70°90°71J75F81M86A90M95J96J97A92S87O80N72DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Weslaco, 4 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 very high, tornado risk is moderate 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
  • HurricanesVery high
  • TornadoesModerate
  • HailVery high
  • Heat wavesHigh
  • WildfiresHigh
  • Winter stormsModerate
  • Strong windLow

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 Olivarez

Nearby, Mila Doce gets a C-, Midway North gets a C and Indian Hills 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. C-Mila DoceTown, 7,731 people3 mi
  2. CMidway NorthTown, 3,594 people3 mi
  3. DIndian HillsTown, 2,961 people5 mi
  4. C-ElsaTown, 5,697 people5 mi
  5. D-EdcouchTown, 2,739 people5 mi
  6. CWeslacoSmall city, 42,229 people5 mi

Olivarez in the McAllen area

How it ranks among 46 places in the metro.

  1. 1A-Palmhurst2,601 people4 mito downtown
  2. 2B+McAllen145,385 people0 mito downtown
  3. 3B+Hidalgo14,498 people8 mito downtown
  4. 28D+Scissors4,267 people14 mito downtown
  5. 29D+Alton20,214 people6 mito downtown
  6. 30D+Murillo8,883 people8 mito downtown
  7. 31DOlivarez6,326 people16 mito downtown
  8. 32DProgreso4,998 people20 mito downtown
  9. 33DMonte Alto2,350 people20 mito downtown
  10. 34DLa Villa3,005 people20 mito downtown

See all of the best suburbs of mcallen

Living in Olivarez: common questions

Is Olivarez, TX a good place to live?

We give Olivarez a D. It ranks 569th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on home ownership and cost of living, and trails on health and education levels.

How much does it cost to live in Olivarez?

Median rent in Olivarez is $860 a month, 39% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $79,300, 72% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 1.2x 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 $563, including property tax.

Does Olivarez flood?

FEMA rates river flooding risk in Olivarez as low, and coastal flooding as not rated. Hazards rated high or very high here: hurricanes, heat waves, hail and wildfires. Always check the flood map for a specific address before you buy.

What is the weather like in Olivarez?

Summers in Olivarez peak at about 96°F in July, and January nights fall to about 50°F. Expect around 160 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 26 inches of rain.

How long is the commute in Olivarez?

The average one-way commute is 25 min, 5% lower than the Texas average. About 9.7% of workers work from home. It is about 16 miles from downtown McAllen.

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.