Small city in Orange County, part of the Beaumont metro
Living in Orange, TX
176th of 192Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people
Overall score 9 of 100
21st of 23 in the Beaumont area
We give Orange a D-. It ranks 176th of 192 Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people. It does best on cost of living and getting around, and trails on schools and home ownership.
- Affordable
- Jobs and income scores low (17 of 100)
- Schools scores low (7 of 100)
- Population
- 19,419+0.6% since 2020
- Median rent
- $1,10821% lower than Texas
- Median home value
- $164,90042% lower than Texas
- Household income
- $62,891Median
- Average commute
- 23 minOne way
- Violent crime
- 446Per 100k, 2025
What it's like to live in Orange
Orange sits about 23 miles from downtown Beaumont, in the Beaumont-Port Arthur metro. 19,419 people lived here in 2025, up 0.6% from 2020. It is spread out.
Places locals use include Lion's City Park. Orange Tx, Orange Lions City Park and Sunset Park.
The median age is 35.3, 32% of households have children, 59% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $62,891 a year (20% lower than the Texas median).
Pros of living in Orange
- Lower rent. Median rent is $1,108, 21% lower than the Texas median.
Cons of living in Orange
- Weaker school ratings. None of the 6 rated campuses earn an A or B from the state.
- Higher unemployment. 7.7% of the labor force is out of work, against 5.3% statewide.
- Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of coastal flooding, hurricanes and tornadoes as very high here.
Who Orange suits
- FamiliesNot the best fit: 0% of rated schools earn an A or B and violent crime is 15% higher than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 5% for families.
- Young professionalsNot the best fit: household income is 20% lower than the Texas median, with 78 restaurants and 2 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 23% for young professionals.
- RetireesNot the best fit: 15% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 15% higher than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 26% for retirees.
- Remote workersNot the best fit: 87% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $1,108 is 21% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 20% for remote workers.
- People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $1,108 is 21% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 71% for people on a budget.
Orange report card
Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Orange with other US cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people. Schools, safety and errands compare it with other Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people.
Cost of living: grade B+
Median rent $1,108, homes cost 2.6x income.
79 of 100 vs US citiesJobs and income: grade D
Median household income $62,891, 7.7% unemployed.
17 of 100 vs US citiesSchools: grade F
6 rated campuses, 0% rated A or B.
7 of 100 vs TX citiesSafety: grade D+
446 violent crimes per 100k, 960 property crimes per 100k.
29 of 100 vs TX citiesErrands and things to do: grade D+
6 grocery stores, 78 restaurants, 14 parks mapped in town.
30 of 100 vs TX citiesGetting around: grade C-
Average commute 23 min, 3.3% work from home.
36 of 100 vs US citiesEducation levels: grade D+
19% have a bachelor’s degree.
29 of 100 vs US citiesHealth: grade D-
15% of adults uninsured.
10 of 100 vs US citiesHome ownership: grade D-
59% of homes owner-occupied.
9 of 100 vs US citiesInternet access: grade D-
87% of homes have broadband.
15 of 100 vs US cities
Where Orange stands out compared with Texas
Better than Texas
- Home value to income: 2.6x27% lower than Texas (3.6x)
- Median rent: $1,10821% lower than Texas ($1,403)
- Average commute: 23 min14% lower than Texas (27 min)
Worse than Texas
- Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 19%15 points lower than Texas (34%)
- Vacant homes: 21%11 points higher than Texas (9.4%)
- Median household income: $62,89120% lower than Texas ($78,476)
Cost of living in Orange
Rent is the cost most newcomers feel first. The median rent in Orange is $1,108 a month, 21% lower than the Texas median of $1,403. To keep that rent at 30% of income, a household needs to earn about $44,000 a year. Right now 51% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.
HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $986 for a one-bedroom, $1,218 for a two-bedroom and $1,588 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 $164,900, 42% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $903 before tax, or $1,082 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 Orange pays $2,154 a year, 49% lower than the Texas median of $4,232. Budget for it, along with homeowners insurance, which our numbers do not include.
See the full cost of living breakdown for Orange
Typical rent by apartment size
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent21% lower than Texas | $1,108 | $1,403 | $1,413 |
| Median home value42% lower than Texas | $164,900 | $283,800 | $332,700 |
| Home value to income27% lower than Texas | 2.6x | 3.6x | 4.1x |
| Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent1 points lower than Texas | 51% | 52% | 51% |
| Median property tax per year49% lower than Texas | $2,154 | $4,232 | $3,119 |
| Homes owned by the people living in them4 points lower than Texas | 59% | 63% | 65% |
| Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas | 1973 | 1992 | 1980 |
Monthly cost to buy a median home
- Mortgage payment
- $903
- Property tax
- $180
- Median rent, for comparison
- $1,108
Based on a $164,900 home in Orange, 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 Orange safe?
In 2025, Orange Police Department reported 86 violent crimes and 185 property crimes. That works out to 446 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 15% higher than the Texas rate of 387, and 960 property crimes per 100,000, 54% lower than the state rate.
Violent crime has been fairly steady since 2021.
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, Orange Police Department, 2025. Rates count reported crimes only and cover the area this police department serves.
Schools in Orange
Orange has 6 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 Little Cypress-Mauriceville CISD and West Orange-Cove CISD.
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.
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
- CLittle Cypress IntermediateElementary, Little Cypress-Mauriceville CISD77 of 100
- CLittle Cypress Junior HighMiddle, Little Cypress-Mauriceville CISD77 of 100
- DM B North E C Lrn CtrOther, West Orange-Cove CISD69 of 100
- DLittle Cypress ElementaryElementary, Little Cypress-Mauriceville CISD67 of 100
- DWest Orange-Stark MiddleMiddle, West Orange-Cove CISD66 of 100
Best neighborhoods in Orange
We grade 3 areas inside Orange. The top three are Central Orange (C+), South Orange (D) and Southeast Orange (D-). Use the map to color the city by any grade, or the sliders to rank areas by what you care about.
All 3 Orange neighborhoods, A to Z
- Central Orange (C+)
- South Orange (D)
- Southeast Orange (D-)
Daily life in Orange
Everyday places mapped inside Orange, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Lion's City Park. Orange Tx, Orange Lions City Park, Sunset Park.
The average one-way commute is 23 minutes, 14% 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.
Downtown Beaumont is about 23 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Orange work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.
The median household income is $62,891, income per person is $33,841, unemployment is 7.7% and 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.
Jobs, income and education
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income20% lower than Texas | $62,891 | $78,476 | $80,734 |
| Income per person17% lower than Texas | $33,841 | $40,752 | $44,673 |
| Unemployment rate2 points higher than Texas | 7.7% | 5.3% | 5.2% |
| People below the poverty line2 points higher than Texas | 15% | 14% | 12% |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher15 points lower than Texas | 19% | 34% | 36% |
| Adults with a high school diploma or higher6 points higher than Texas | 92% | 86% | 90% |
| Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance5 points lower than Texas | 15% | 20% | 11% |
| Homes with broadband internet4 points lower than Texas | 87% | 91% | 91% |
Getting to work
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average commute14% lower than Texas | 23 min | 27 min | 26 min |
| Workers who work from home11 points lower than Texas | 3.3% | 14% | 15% |
Who lives in Orange
Median age 35.3 years. 32% of households have children.
Race and ethnicity
Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.
Weather in Orange
Orange has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 90°F and January lows about 40°F. There are about 74 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 64 inches of rain a year.
Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Orange 9 N, 6 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.
Natural hazard risk
FEMA's National Risk Index says river flooding risk is high, coastal flooding risk is very high, hurricane risk is very high, tornado risk is very high and hail risk is moderate. Before you buy, look up the FEMA flood zone for the exact address and get a flood insurance quote, since standard home policies do not cover floods.
- River floodingHigh
- Coastal floodingVery high
- HurricanesVery high
- TornadoesVery high
- HailModerate
- Heat wavesHigh
- WildfiresVery high
- Winter stormsModerate
- Strong windModerate
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 Orange
Nearby, Little Cypress gets an A-, Pinehurst gets a D- and West Orange 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.
- A-Little CypressTown, 1,963 people2 mi
- D-PinehurstTown, 1,999 people2 mi
- D+West OrangeTown, 3,420 people5 mi
- C+Forest HeightsTown, 1,795 people6 mi
- D-MauricevilleTown, 2,945 people8 mi
- BBridge CityTown, 9,640 people9 mi
Orange in the Beaumont area
How it ranks among 23 places in the metro.
- 1A+Hamshire1,388 people19 mito downtown
- 2A+Beauxart Gardens1,276 people11 mito downtown
- 3ACentral Gardens3,976 people10 mito downtown
- 18DSilsbee6,842 people18 mito downtown
- 19D-Mauriceville2,945 people19 mito downtown
- 20D-Pinehurst1,999 people22 mito downtown
- 21D-Orange19,177 people23 mito downtown
- 22FBeaumont113,279 people0 mito downtown
- 23FPort Arthur55,828 people21 mito downtown
Living in Orange: common questions
Is Orange, TX a good place to live?
We give Orange a D-. It ranks 176th of 192 Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people. It does best on cost of living and getting around, and trails on schools and home ownership.
How much does it cost to live in Orange?
Median rent in Orange is $1,108 a month, 21% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $164,900, 42% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 2.6x 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 $1,082, including property tax.
Is Orange safe?
In 2025, Orange Police Department reported 446 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 15% higher than the Texas rate. Property crime was 960 per 100,000, 54% lower than the Texas rate.
Are the schools good in Orange?
We found 6 rated public school campuses inside Orange. 0% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 7 of 100 compared with other Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people.
What are the best neighborhoods in Orange?
Based on our scores, the top-rated areas in Orange are Central Orange, South Orange and Southeast Orange. We score 3 areas in the city.
Does Orange flood?
FEMA rates river flooding risk in Orange as high, and coastal flooding as very high. Hazards rated high or very high here: river flooding, coastal flooding, hurricanes, tornadoes, heat waves and wildfires. Always check the flood map for a specific address before you buy.
What is the weather like in Orange?
Summers in Orange peak at about 90°F in July, and January nights fall to about 40°F. Expect around 74 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 64 inches of rain.
How long is the commute in Orange?
The average one-way commute is 23 min, 14% lower than the Texas average. About 3.3% of workers work from home. It is about 23 miles from downtown Beaumont.
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.