Town in Ellis County, part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metro
Living in Palmer, TX
217th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 70 of 100
73rd of 181 in the Dallas-Fort Worth area
Palmer earns a grade of B on our index, 217th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on schools and internet access, and trails on getting around and health.
- Top-rated schools
- Errands and things to do scores low (12 of 100)
- Getting around scores low (8 of 100)
- Population
- 2,644+10.0% since 2020
- Median rent
- $1,71822% higher than Texas
- Median home value
- $226,00020% lower than Texas
- Household income
- $104,258Median
- Average commute
- 33 minOne way
- Violent crime
- 75Per 100k, 2025
What it's like to live in Palmer
Palmer sits about 26 miles from downtown Dallas, in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro. 2,644 people lived here in 2025, up 10.0% from 2020. It is spread out.
The median age is 31.0, 55% of households have children, 77% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $104,258 a year (33% higher than the Texas median).
Pros of living in Palmer
- Low violent crime. 75 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, 81% lower than the Texas rate.
- Homes are affordable for local incomes. The median home costs 2.2 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.
- High incomes. The median household earns $104,258, 33% higher than the Texas median.
Cons of living in Palmer
- Higher rent. Median rent is $1,718, 22% higher than the Texas median.
- Long commutes. The average trip to work takes 33 minutes, against 27 across Texas.
- Errands mean a drive. Compared with similar Texas places, fewer homes here are within a mile of a grocery store, pharmacy, park or clinic.
- Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of hail and wildfires as very high here.
Who Palmer suits
- FamiliesA reasonable fit: violent crime is 81% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 80% for families.
- Young professionalsNot the best fit: household income is 33% higher than the Texas median, with 8 restaurants and 1 cafe in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 20% for young professionals.
- RetireesA reasonable fit: 21% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 81% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 44% for retirees.
- Remote workersA reasonable fit: 95% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $1,718 is 22% higher than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 73% for remote workers.
- People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $1,718 is 22% higher than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 68% for people on a budget.
Palmer report card
Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Palmer 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 $1,718, homes cost 2.2x income.
67 of 100 vs US townsJobs and income: grade B
Median household income $104,258, 7.2% unemployed.
67 of 100 vs US townsSchools: grade A-
2 rated campuses, 100% rated A or B.
85 of 100 vs TX townsSafety: grade B+
75 violent crimes per 100k, 336 property crimes per 100k.
74 of 100 vs TX townsErrands and things to do: grade D-
1 grocery store, 8 restaurants, 0 parks mapped in town.
12 of 100 vs TX townsGetting around: grade F
Average commute 33 min, 11% work from home.
8 of 100 vs US townsEducation levels: grade D
12% have a bachelor’s degree.
20 of 100 vs US townsHealth: grade D-
21% of adults uninsured.
11 of 100 vs US townsHome ownership: grade B
77% of homes owner-occupied.
66 of 100 vs US townsInternet access: grade B+
95% of homes have broadband.
80 of 100 vs US towns
Where Palmer stands out compared with Texas
Better than Texas
- Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 26%26 points lower than Texas (52%)
- Home value to income: 2.2x40% lower than Texas (3.6x)
- Homes owned by the people living in them: 77%15 points higher than Texas (63%)
Worse than Texas
- Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 12%22 points lower than Texas (34%)
- Average commute: 33 min23% higher than Texas (27 min)
- Median rent: $1,71822% higher than Texas ($1,403)
Cost of living in Palmer
Palmer renters pay a median of $1,718 a month, 22% higher than the statewide median. The usual rule is to spend no more than 30% of income on rent, which means earning around $69,000 a year for a median unit. Right now 26% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.
HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $1,536 for a one-bedroom, $1,807 for a two-bedroom and $2,275 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 $226,000, 20% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $1,237 before tax, or $1,518 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 Palmer pays $3,366 a year, 20% 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 rent22% higher than Texas | $1,718 | $1,403 | $1,413 |
| Median home value20% lower than Texas | $226,000 | $283,800 | $332,700 |
| Home value to income40% lower than Texas | 2.2x | 3.6x | 4.1x |
| Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent26 points lower than Texas | 26% | 52% | 51% |
| Median property tax per year20% lower than Texas | $3,366 | $4,232 | $3,119 |
| Homes owned by the people living in them15 points higher than Texas | 77% | 63% | 65% |
| Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas | 1989 | 1992 | 1980 |
Monthly cost to buy a median home
- Mortgage payment
- $1,237
- Property tax
- $280
- Median rent, for comparison
- $1,718
Based on a $226,000 home in Palmer, 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 Palmer safe?
In 2025, Palmer Police Department reported 2 violent crimes and 9 property crimes. That works out to 75 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 81% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 336 property crimes per 100,000, 84% lower than the state rate.
Violent crime is down about 59% 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, Palmer Police Department, 2025. Rates count reported crimes only and cover the area this police department serves.
Schools in Palmer
Palmer has 2 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 100% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Palmer ISD.
Top-rated campuses include Palmer High School. The average rating score across all campuses is 89 out of 100, against a Texas median of 81.
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
- APalmer High SchoolHigh, Palmer ISD93 of 100
- BPalmer MiddleMiddle, Palmer ISD84 of 100
Daily life in Palmer
Everyday places mapped inside Palmer, from Overture Maps.
The average one-way commute is 33 minutes, 23% longer than the Texas average. 11% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.
Downtown Dallas is about 26 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Palmer work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.
The median household income is $104,258, income per person is $33,375, unemployment is 7.2% and 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.
Jobs, income and education
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income33% higher than Texas | $104,258 | $78,476 | $80,734 |
| Income per person18% lower than Texas | $33,375 | $40,752 | $44,673 |
| Unemployment rate2 points higher than Texas | 7.2% | 5.3% | 5.2% |
| People below the poverty line9 points lower than Texas | 4.5% | 14% | 12% |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher22 points lower than Texas | 12% | 34% | 36% |
| Adults with a high school diploma or higher2 points higher than Texas | 88% | 86% | 90% |
| Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance1 points higher than Texas | 21% | 20% | 11% |
| Homes with broadband internet4 points higher than Texas | 95% | 91% | 91% |
Getting to work
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average commute23% higher than Texas | 33 min | 27 min | 26 min |
| Workers who work from home3 points lower than Texas | 11% | 14% | 15% |
Who lives in Palmer
Median age 31.0 years. 55% of households have children.
Race and ethnicity
Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.
Weather in Palmer
Palmer has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 96°F and January lows about 36°F. There are about 106 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 41 inches of rain a year.
Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Ferris, 8 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 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
- TornadoesHigh
- HailVery high
- Heat wavesHigh
- WildfiresVery high
- 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 Palmer
Nearby, Garrett gets a C-, Ennis gets a D and Ferris gets a C-. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.
- C-GarrettTown, 1,260 people4 mi
- DEnnisSmall city, 22,588 people7 mi
- C-FerrisTown, 3,238 people8 mi
- CRed OakSmall city, 17,077 people9 mi
- C+WaxahachieSmall city, 45,347 people10 mi
- CBear Creek RanchTown, 1,604 people11 mi
Palmer in the Dallas-Fort Worth area
How it ranks among 181 places in the metro.
- 1A+Flower Mound78,389 people26 mito downtown
- 2A+Trophy Club13,733 people29 mito downtown
- 3A+University Park25,155 people4 mito downtown
- 70BOak Point5,887 people30 mito downtown
- 71BPaloma Creek South8,860 people30 mito downtown
- 72BShady Shores2,922 people30 mito downtown
- 73BPalmer2,515 people26 mito downtown
- 74BTalty2,881 people22 mito downtown
- 75BFairview10,783 people26 mito downtown
- 76BPonder2,626 people40 mito downtown
Living in Palmer: common questions
Is Palmer, TX a good place to live?
Palmer earns a grade of B on our index, 217th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on schools and internet access, and trails on getting around and health.
How much does it cost to live in Palmer?
Renters in Palmer pay a median of $1,718 a month, 22% higher than the Texas median. The median home is worth $226,000, 20% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 2.2x 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 $1,518, including property tax.
Is Palmer safe?
In 2025, Palmer Police Department reported 75 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 81% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 336 per 100,000, 84% lower than the Texas rate.
Are the schools good in Palmer?
We found 2 rated public school campuses inside Palmer. 100% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 85 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.
Does Palmer flood?
FEMA rates river flooding risk in Palmer as low, and coastal flooding as not rated. Hazards rated high or very high here: tornadoes, heat waves, hail and wildfires. Always check the flood map for a specific address before you buy.
What is the weather like in Palmer?
Summers in Palmer peak at about 96°F in July, and January nights fall to about 36°F. Expect around 106 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 41 inches of rain.
How long is the commute in Palmer?
The average one-way commute is 33 min, 23% higher than the Texas average. About 11% of workers work from home. It is about 26 miles from downtown Dallas.
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.