City in Hidalgo County, part of the McAllen metro

Living in Pharr, TX

B-

33rd of 75Texas cities of 50,000+ people
Overall score 61 of 100
7th of 46 in the McAllen area

We give Pharr a B-. It ranks 33rd of 75 Texas cities of 50,000+ people. It does best on cost of living and schools, and trails on health and jobs and income. It is a strong pick for people on a budget.

  • Good for people on a budget
  • Affordable
  • Jobs and income scores low (4 of 100)
  • Education levels scores low (4 of 100)
Buell School in Pharr, Texas, United States. The school was designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1990. Marker text: "Constructed in 1927-28 to serve Mexican-American children in the Pharr-
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Population
80,830+1.4% since 2020
Median rent
$1,03726% lower than Texas
Median home value
$121,90057% lower than Texas
Household income
$52,814Median
Average commute
21 minOne way
Violent crime
214Per 100k, 2025

What it's like to live in Pharr

Pharr sits about 5 miles from downtown McAllen, in the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission metro. 80,830 people lived here in 2025, up 1.4% from 2020. It is suburban, with mostly newer homes (the median home was built in 2001).

Local spots people know include Dr. William Long City School Park, Jones Box Park and Victor Garcia Municipal Park.

The median age is 29.7, 50% of households have children, 59% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $52,814 a year (33% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Pharr

  • Strong public schools. 88% of the 32 rated campuses here earn an A or B from the Texas Education Agency.
  • Low violent crime. 214 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, 45% lower than the Texas rate.
  • Lower rent. Median rent is $1,037, 26% lower than the Texas median.
  • Homes are affordable for local incomes. The median home costs 2.3 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.
  • Short commutes. The average trip to work takes 21 minutes, against 27 across Texas.

Cons of living in Pharr

  • Higher poverty. 28% of people live below the poverty line, against 14% across Texas.
  • Many adults uninsured. 38% 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 177 days a year at 90°F or hotter.

Who Pharr suits

  • FamiliesA reasonable fit: 88% of rated schools earn an A or B and violent crime is 45% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 73% for families.
  • Young professionalsNot the best fit: household income is 33% lower than the Texas median, with 336 restaurants and 13 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 37% for young professionals.
  • RetireesA reasonable fit: 38% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 45% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 61% for retirees.
  • Remote workersA reasonable fit: 88% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $1,037 is 26% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 49% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA strong fit: the median rent of $1,037 is 26% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 95% for people on a budget.

Pharr report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Pharr with other US cities of 50,000+ people. Schools, safety and errands compare it with other Texas cities of 50,000+ people.

  • Cost of living: grade A+

    Median rent $1,037, homes cost 2.3x income.

    99 of 100 vs US cities

  • Jobs and income: grade F

    Median household income $52,814, 7.2% unemployed.

    4 of 100 vs US cities

  • Schools: grade A-

    32 rated campuses, 88% rated A or B.

    85 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Safety: grade B-

    214 violent crimes per 100k, 1,086 property crimes per 100k.

    62 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Errands and things to do: grade B+

    23 grocery stores, 336 restaurants, 19 parks mapped in town.

    73 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Getting around: grade C-

    Average commute 21 min, 6.5% work from home.

    36 of 100 vs US cities

  • Education levels: grade F

    19% have a bachelor’s degree.

    4 of 100 vs US cities

  • Health: grade F

    38% of adults uninsured.

    2 of 100 vs US cities

  • Home ownership: grade D+

    59% of homes owner-occupied.

    28 of 100 vs US cities

  • Internet access: grade D-

    88% of homes have broadband.

    14 of 100 vs US cities

Where Pharr stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Home value to income: 2.3x36% lower than Texas (3.6x)
  • Median rent: $1,03726% lower than Texas ($1,403)
  • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 43%9 points lower than Texas (52%)

Worse than Texas

  • Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance: 38%19 points higher than Texas (20%)
  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 19%15 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • People below the poverty line: 28%14 points higher than Texas (14%)

Cost of living in Pharr

Pharr renters pay a median of $1,037 a month, 26% lower than the statewide median. The usual rule is to spend no more than 30% of income on rent, which means earning around $41,000 a year for a median unit. Right now 43% 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 $121,900, 57% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $667 before tax, or $879 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 Pharr pays $2,537 a year, 40% 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 Pharr

Typical rent by apartment size

Fair market rent by bedroom count in PharrStudio$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 rent26% lower than Texas$1,037$1,403$1,413
Median home value57% lower than Texas$121,900$283,800$332,700
Home value to income36% lower than Texas2.3x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent9 points lower than Texas43%52%51%
Median property tax per year40% lower than Texas$2,537$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them3 points lower than Texas59%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas200119921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$879
Mortgage payment
$667
Property tax
$211
Median rent, for comparison
$1,037

Based on a $121,900 home in Pharr, 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 Pharr safe?

In 2025, Pharr Police Department reported 174 violent crimes and 885 property crimes. That works out to 214 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 45% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 1,086 property crimes per 100,000, 48% lower than the state rate.

Violent crime is down about 32% 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 Pharr by yearTexas21420212022202320242025

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

Violent crime
214
per 100k, Texas 387
Property crime
1,086
per 100k, Texas 2,086
Property crimes per 100,000 people in Pharr by yearTexas1,08620212022202320242025

Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.

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

Schools in Pharr

Pharr has 32 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 88% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD, Vanguard Academy and Idea Public Schools.

Top-rated campuses include Psja Thomas Jefferson T-Stem Early College High School, Vanguard Rembrandt and Idea College Preparatory Pharr. The average rating score across all campuses is 88 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.

Schools grade
85
of 100 vs Texas cities
Average rating
88
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

  • APsja Thomas Jefferson T-Stem Early College High SchoolHigh, Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD96 of 100
  • AVanguard RembrandtOther, Vanguard Academy95 of 100
  • AIdea College Preparatory PharrOther, Idea Public Schools94 of 100
  • AJc Kelly ElementaryElementary, Hidalgo ISD94 of 100
  • ACesar Chavez ElementaryElementary, Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD93 of 100

Best neighborhoods in Pharr

We grade 7 areas inside Pharr. The top three are Minnesota Terrace (A-), Northeast Pharr (B) and Southwest Pharr (B-). If price matters most, North Pharr has the lowest median rent among areas graded C or better, at $970 a month. Northeast Pharr is the priciest, at $1,270. Use the map to color the city by any grade, or the sliders to rank areas by what you care about.

Loading map

    Rank Pharr neighborhoods your way

    What matters to you?

    Move a slider and the list re-ranks right away.

    Most
    A lot
    Most
    A lot
    A lot
    A lot
    Some
    A lot
    Some
    A little

    The grade is our overall grade. Fit shows how well each one matches your sliders, from 0 to 100, against the others in this list.

    7 Pharr neighborhoods, ranked by your priorities
    1. 1A-Minnesota Terrace5,940 people, median rent $1,150, home $221,000100fit
    2. 2BNortheast Pharr6,687 people, median rent $1,270, home $148,00083fit
    3. 3B-Southwest Pharr12,630 people, median rent $1,000, home $125,00067fit
    4. 4B-Central Pharr17,120 people, median rent $1,080, home $121,00050fit
    5. 5C+North Pharr22,188 people, median rent $970, home $104,00033fit
    6. 6CSouth Pharr5,878 people, median rent $1,010, home $95,00017fit
    7. 7CSugar Creek Estates5,248 people, median rent $1,130, home $143,0000fit
    All 7 Pharr neighborhoods, A to Z

    Daily life in Pharr

    Everyday places mapped inside Pharr, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Dr. William Long City School Park, Jones Box Park, Victor Garcia Municipal Park.

    The average one-way commute is 21 minutes, 21% shorter than the Texas average. 6% 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 5 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Pharr work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

    The median household income is $52,814, income per person is $21,195, unemployment is 7.2% and 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

    Grocery stores
    23
    Pharmacies
    7
    Restaurants
    336
    Cafes
    13
    Bars
    14
    Parks
    19
    Gyms
    24
    Hospitals and urgent care
    8
    Childcare
    42
    Libraries
    3

    Jobs, income and education

    MeasureHereTexasUS
    Median household income33% lower than Texas$52,814$78,476$80,734
    Income per person48% lower than Texas$21,195$40,752$44,673
    Unemployment rate2 points higher than Texas7.2%5.3%5.2%
    People below the poverty line14 points higher than Texas28%14%12%
    Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher15 points lower than Texas19%34%36%
    Adults with a high school diploma or higher15 points lower than Texas71%86%90%
    Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance19 points higher than Texas38%20%11%
    Homes with broadband internet3 points lower than Texas88%91%91%

    Getting to work

    MeasureHereTexasUS
    Average commute21% lower than Texas21 min27 min26 min
    Workers who work from home8 points lower than Texas6.5%14%15%
    Workers who work from home6.5%
    Workers who take transit0.2%
    Workers who walk1.0%
    Workers who bike0%

    Who lives in Pharr

    Under 1833%
    18 to 3425%
    35 to 6431%
    65 and over11%

    Median age 29.7 years. 50% of households have children.

    Race and ethnicity
    White4.5%
    Hispanic or Latino95%
    Black0.2%
    Asian0.4%
    Other or more than one race0.2%

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

    Weather in Pharr

    Pharr has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 99°F and January lows about 53°F. There are about 177 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 22 inches of rain a year.

    Average monthly high and low temperatures in Pharr50°70°90°73J77F83M88A93M97J98J100A94S89O80N74DRain

    Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Mcallen Miller Intl Ap, 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
    • WildfiresModerate
    • 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 Pharr

    Nearby, San Juan gets a C, Alamo gets a C- and Hidalgo gets a B+. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.

    1. CSan JuanSmall city, 36,149 people2 mi
    2. C-AlamoSmall city, 20,255 people5 mi
    3. B+HidalgoSmall city, 14,498 people5 mi
    4. C+South AlamoTown, 3,309 people5 mi
    5. C+North AlamoTown, 4,819 people5 mi
    6. C-LopezvilleTown, 2,227 people6 mi

    Pharr 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
    5. 5B-Llano Grande2,283 people18 mito downtown
    6. 6B-Penitas6,444 people12 mito downtown
    7. 7B-Pharr80,333 people5 mito downtown
    8. 8B-Palmview South1,819 people8 mito downtown
    9. 9B-Perezville2,237 people10 mito downtown
    10. 10C+South Alamo3,309 people10 mito downtown

    See all of the best suburbs of mcallen

    Living in Pharr: common questions

    Is Pharr, TX a good place to live?

    We give Pharr a B-. It ranks 33rd of 75 Texas cities of 50,000+ people. It does best on cost of living and schools, and trails on health and jobs and income. It is a strong pick for people on a budget.

    How much does it cost to live in Pharr?

    Renters in Pharr pay a median of $1,037 a month, 26% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $121,900, 57% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 2.3x 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 $879, including property tax.

    Is Pharr safe?

    In 2025, Pharr Police Department reported 214 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 45% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 1,086 per 100,000, 48% lower than the Texas rate.

    Are the schools good in Pharr?

    We found 32 rated public school campuses inside Pharr. 88% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 85 of 100 compared with other Texas cities of 50,000+ people.

    What are the best neighborhoods in Pharr?

    Based on our scores, the top-rated areas in Pharr are Minnesota Terrace, Northeast Pharr and Southwest Pharr. We score 7 areas in the city.

    Does Pharr flood?

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

    What is the weather like in Pharr?

    Summers in Pharr peak at about 99°F in July, and January nights fall to about 53°F. Expect around 177 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 22 inches of rain.

    How long is the commute in Pharr?

    The average one-way commute is 21 min, 21% lower than the Texas average. About 6.5% of workers work from home. It is about 5 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.