Town in Hidalgo County, part of the McAllen metro

Living in Palmhurst, TX

A-

126th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 82 of 100
1st of 46 in the McAllen area

We give Palmhurst an A-. It ranks 126th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on internet access and jobs and income, and trails on health and safety. It is a strong pick for young professionals and remote workers.

  • Good for young professionals
  • Good for remote workers
  • Well connected
  • Short commutes
  • Hurricane risk is very high
  • Heat wave risk is very high
Map of Texas showing where Palmhurst isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthPalmhurst
Where Palmhurst is in Texas.
Population
2,562-1.4% since 2020
Median rent
$82341% lower than Texas
Median home value
$375,00032% higher than Texas
Household income
$98,125Median
Average commute
18 minOne way
Violent crime
154Per 100k, 2025

What it's like to live in Palmhurst

Palmhurst sits about 4 miles from downtown McAllen, in the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission metro. 2,562 people lived here in 2025, down 1.4% from 2020. It is small-town and rural in feel.

The median age is 35.2, 44% of households have children, 80% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $98,125 a year (25% higher than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Palmhurst

  • Low violent crime. 154 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, 60% lower than the Texas rate.
  • Lower rent. Median rent is $823, 41% lower than the Texas median.
  • High incomes. The median household earns $98,125, 25% higher than the Texas median.
  • Short commutes. The average trip to work takes 18 minutes, against 27 across Texas.

Cons of living in Palmhurst

  • Many adults uninsured. 28% of adults 18 to 64 have no health insurance, against 20% statewide.
  • Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of hurricanes, heat waves and hail as very high here.
  • Long, hot summers. Expect about 183 days a year at 90°F or hotter.

Who Palmhurst suits

  • FamiliesA reasonable fit: violent crime is 60% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 50% for families.
  • Young professionalsA reasonable fit: household income is 25% higher than the Texas median, with 25 restaurants and 2 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 90% for young professionals.
  • RetireesA reasonable fit: 28% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 60% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 45% for retirees.
  • Remote workersA reasonable fit: 97% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $823 is 41% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 92% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $823 is 41% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 63% for people on a budget.

Palmhurst report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Palmhurst 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 $823, homes cost 3.8x income.

    58 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade B+

    Median household income $98,125, 4.0% unemployed.

    79 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade B-

    2 rated campuses, 50% rated A or B.

    60 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Safety: grade C-

    154 violent crimes per 100k, 6,188 property crimes per 100k.

    32 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Errands and things to do: grade B-

    3 grocery stores, 25 restaurants, 0 parks mapped in town.

    57 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade B

    Average commute 18 min, 11% work from home.

    69 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade C+

    39% have a bachelor’s degree.

    48 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade D+

    28% of adults uninsured.

    27 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade C

    80% of homes owner-occupied.

    46 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade A-

    97% of homes have broadband.

    87 of 100 vs US towns

Where Palmhurst stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Homes owned by the people living in them: 80%18 points higher than Texas (63%)
  • Median rent: $82341% lower than Texas ($1,403)
  • Average commute: 18 min32% lower than Texas (27 min)

Worse than Texas

  • Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance: 28%9 points higher than Texas (20%)
  • Vacant homes: 15%5 points higher than Texas (9.4%)
  • Home value to income: 3.8x6% higher than Texas (3.6x)

Cost of living in Palmhurst

Rent is the cost most newcomers feel first. The median rent in Palmhurst is $823 a month, 41% lower than the Texas median of $1,403. To keep that rent at 30% of income, a household needs to earn about $33,000 a year. Right now 40% 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 $375,000, 32% higher than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $2,053 before tax, or $2,566 with property tax. That is $1,743 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 property taxes are among the highest in the country. The median homeowner in Palmhurst pays $6,164 a year, 46% higher 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 PalmhurstStudio$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 rent41% lower than Texas$823$1,403$1,413
Median home value32% higher than Texas$375,000$283,800$332,700
Home value to income6% higher than Texas3.8x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent12 points lower than Texas40%52%51%
Median property tax per year46% higher than Texas$6,164$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them18 points higher than Texas80%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas199919921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$2,566
Mortgage payment
$2,053
Property tax
$514
Median rent, for comparison
$823

Based on a $375,000 home in Palmhurst, 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 Palmhurst safe?

In 2025, Palmhurst Police Department reported 4 violent crimes and 161 property crimes. That works out to 154 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 60% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 6,188 property crimes per 100,000, 197% higher than the state rate.

Violent crime is down about 40% 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 Palmhurst by yearTexas15420212022202320242025

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

Violent crime
154
per 100k, Texas 387
Property crime
6,188
per 100k, Texas 2,086
Property crimes per 100,000 people in Palmhurst by yearTexas6,18820212022202320242025

Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.

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

Schools in Palmhurst

Palmhurst has 2 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 50% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Mission 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.

Schools grade
60
of 100 vs Texas towns
Average rating
82
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

  • BHurla M Midkiff ElementaryElementary, Mission CISD86 of 100
  • CRafael A Cantu Junior HighMiddle, Mission CISD78 of 100

Daily life in Palmhurst

Everyday places mapped inside Palmhurst, from Overture Maps.

The average one-way commute is 18 minutes, 32% shorter 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 McAllen is about 4 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Palmhurst work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

The median household income is $98,125, income per person is $45,041, unemployment is 4.0% and 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
3
Pharmacies
3
Restaurants
25
Cafes
2
Bars
0
Parks
0
Gyms
0
Hospitals and urgent care
0
Childcare
2
Libraries
0

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income25% higher than Texas$98,125$78,476$80,734
Income per person11% higher than Texas$45,041$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate1 points lower than Texas4.0%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line9 points lower than Texas4.3%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher5 points higher than Texas39%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher2 points lower than Texas84%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance9 points higher than Texas28%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet5 points higher than Texas97%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute32% lower than Texas18 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home4 points lower than Texas11%14%15%
Workers who work from home11%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk1.1%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Palmhurst

Under 1831%
18 to 3419%
35 to 6437%
65 and over13%

Median age 35.2 years. 44% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White16%
Hispanic or Latino79%
Black0.3%
Asian4.0%
Other or more than one race1.3%

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

Weather in Palmhurst

Palmhurst has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 95°F and January lows about 47°F. There are about 183 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 20 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Palmhurst40°60°80°100°69J74F79M85A90M95J95J97A92S86O78N71DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from La Joya, 5 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 wavesVery high
  • WildfiresHigh
  • Winter stormsHigh
  • 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 Palmhurst

Nearby, Alton gets a D+, West Sharyland gets a C+ and La Homa 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. D+AltonSmall city, 20,214 people2 mi
  2. C+West SharylandTown, 1,664 people3 mi
  3. D-La HomaSmall city, 11,285 people4 mi
  4. BMissionCity, 87,038 people4 mi
  5. B+McAllenCity, 145,385 people5 mi
  6. CPalmviewSmall city, 15,921 people5 mi

Palmhurst 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. 4BMission87,038 people5 mito downtown

See all of the best suburbs of mcallen

Living in Palmhurst: common questions

Is Palmhurst, TX a good place to live?

We give Palmhurst an A-. It ranks 126th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on internet access and jobs and income, and trails on health and safety. It is a strong pick for young professionals and remote workers.

How much does it cost to live in Palmhurst?

Median rent in Palmhurst is $823 a month, 41% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $375,000, 32% higher than the Texas median. A median home costs 3.8x 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 $2,566, including property tax.

Is Palmhurst safe?

In 2025, Palmhurst Police Department reported 154 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 60% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 6,188 per 100,000, 197% higher than the Texas rate.

Are the schools good in Palmhurst?

We found 2 rated public school campuses inside Palmhurst. 50% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 60 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

Does Palmhurst flood?

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

What is the weather like in Palmhurst?

Summers in Palmhurst peak at about 95°F in July, and January nights fall to about 47°F. Expect around 183 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 20 inches of rain.

How long is the commute in Palmhurst?

The average one-way commute is 18 min, 32% lower than the Texas average. About 11% of workers work from home. It is about 4 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.