Town in Hidalgo County, part of the McAllen metro

Living in Progreso, TX

D

570th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 23 of 100
32nd of 46 in the McAllen area

Progreso earns a grade of D on our index, 570th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on getting around and cost of living, and trails on health and education levels.

  • Jobs and income scores low (15 of 100)
  • Education levels scores low (5 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Progreso isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthProgreso
Where Progreso is in Texas.
Population
5,148+6.9% since 2020
Median rent
$93533% lower than Texas
Median home value
$69,30076% lower than Texas
Household income
$45,924Median
Average commute
22 minOne way
Violent crime
No dataNo full-year report

What it's like to live in Progreso

Progreso sits about 20 miles from downtown McAllen, in the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission metro. 5,148 people lived here in 2025, up 6.9% from 2020. It is spread out.

The median age is 27.8, 55% of households have children, 74% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $45,924 a year (41% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Progreso

  • Lower rent. Median rent is $935, 33% lower than the Texas median.
  • Homes are affordable for local incomes. The median home costs 1.5 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.
  • Short commutes. The average trip to work takes 22 minutes, against 27 across Texas.

Cons of living in Progreso

  • Higher poverty. 28% of people live below the poverty line, against 14% across Texas.
  • 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.
  • Spotty home internet. Only 80% of homes have a broadband plan.

Who Progreso suits

  • FamiliesNot the best fit. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 16% for families.
  • Young professionalsA reasonable fit: household income is 41% lower than the Texas median, with 9 restaurants and 0 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 43% for young professionals.
  • RetireesNot the best fit: 46% of working-age adults are uninsured. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 15% for retirees.
  • Remote workersNot the best fit: 80% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $935 is 33% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 14% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $935 is 33% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 57% for people on a budget.

Progreso report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Progreso 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 $935, homes cost 1.5x income.

    66 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade D-

    Median household income $45,924, 4.4% unemployed.

    15 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade D+

    2 rated campuses, 50% rated A or B.

    28 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 C-

    1 grocery store, 9 restaurants, 1 park mapped in town.

    35 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade A-

    Average commute 22 min, 1.7% work from home.

    80 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade F

    12% have a bachelor’s degree.

    5 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade F

    46% of adults uninsured.

    1 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade C-

    74% of homes owner-occupied.

    37 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade D-

    80% of homes have broadband.

    11 of 100 vs US towns

Where Progreso stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Home value to income: 1.5x58% lower than Texas (3.6x)
  • Median rent: $93533% lower than Texas ($1,403)
  • Homes owned by the people living in them: 74%11 points higher than Texas (63%)

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: 12%22 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • Median household income: $45,92441% lower than Texas ($78,476)

Cost of living in Progreso

Progreso renters pay a median of $935 a month, 33% lower than the statewide median. The usual rule is to spend no more than 30% of income on rent, which means earning around $37,000 a year for a median unit. Right now 57% 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 $69,300, 76% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $379 before tax, or $469 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 Progreso pays $1,079 a year, 75% 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 ProgresoStudio$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 rent33% lower than Texas$935$1,403$1,413
Median home value76% lower than Texas$69,300$283,800$332,700
Home value to income58% lower than Texas1.5x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent5 points higher than Texas57%52%51%
Median property tax per year75% lower than Texas$1,079$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them11 points higher than Texas74%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas199419921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$469
Mortgage payment
$379
Property tax
$90
Median rent, for comparison
$935

Based on a $69,300 home in Progreso, 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.

Schools in Progreso

Progreso 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 Progreso ISD.

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
28
of 100 vs Texas towns
Average rating
76
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

  • BDorothy Thompson MiddleMiddle, Progreso ISD85 of 100
  • DProgreso High SchoolHigh, Progreso ISD67 of 100

Daily life in Progreso

Everyday places mapped inside Progreso, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Progreso City Park.

The average one-way commute is 22 minutes, 17% shorter than the Texas average. 2% of workers work from home. 4.7% walk, bike or take transit to work.

Downtown McAllen is about 20 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Progreso work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

The median household income is $45,924, income per person is $15,449, unemployment is 4.4% and 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
1
Pharmacies
0
Restaurants
9
Cafes
0
Bars
1
Parks
1
Gyms
0
Hospitals and urgent care
0
Childcare
1
Libraries
0

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income41% lower than Texas$45,924$78,476$80,734
Income per person62% lower than Texas$15,449$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rateAbout the same as Texas4.4%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line15 points higher than Texas28%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher22 points lower than Texas12%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher29 points lower than Texas57%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance26 points higher than Texas46%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet12 points lower than Texas80%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute17% lower than Texas22 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home13 points lower than Texas1.7%14%15%
Workers who work from home1.7%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk4.7%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Progreso

Under 1833%
18 to 3421%
35 to 6436%
65 and over9.1%

Median age 27.8 years. 55% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White0.0%
Hispanic or Latino100%
Black0%
Asian0.0%
Other or more than one race0.0%

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

Weather in Progreso

Progreso 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 Progreso50°70°90°71J75F81M86A90M95J96J97A92S87O80N72DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Weslaco, 6 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.

Natural hazard risk

FEMA's National Risk Index says river flooding risk is high, hurricane risk is very high, tornado risk is moderate and hail risk is very high. 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
  • 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 Progreso

Nearby, Llano Grande gets a B-, Weslaco gets a C and Mercedes 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. B-Llano GrandeTown, 2,283 people2 mi
  2. CWeslacoSmall city, 42,229 people4 mi
  3. DMercedesSmall city, 16,733 people5 mi
  4. CMidway SouthTown, 2,308 people6 mi
  5. D+ScissorsTown, 4,267 people6 mi
  6. D-DonnaSmall city, 16,833 people6 mi

Progreso 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. 29D+Alton20,214 people6 mito downtown
  5. 30D+Murillo8,883 people8 mito downtown
  6. 31DOlivarez6,326 people16 mito downtown
  7. 32DProgreso4,998 people20 mito downtown
  8. 33DMonte Alto2,350 people20 mito downtown
  9. 34DLa Villa3,005 people20 mito downtown
  10. 35DMercedes16,733 people21 mito downtown

See all of the best suburbs of mcallen

Living in Progreso: common questions

Is Progreso, TX a good place to live?

Progreso earns a grade of D on our index, 570th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on getting around and cost of living, and trails on health and education levels.

How much does it cost to live in Progreso?

Renters in Progreso pay a median of $935 a month, 33% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $69,300, 76% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 1.5x 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 $469, including property tax.

Is Progreso safe?

In 2025, Progreso Police Department reported 19 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 95% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 569 per 100,000, 73% lower than the Texas rate. This agency reported only part of the year, so the rate is shown but not scored.

Are the schools good in Progreso?

We found 2 rated public school campuses inside Progreso. 50% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 28 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

Does Progreso flood?

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

What is the weather like in Progreso?

Summers in Progreso 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 Progreso?

The average one-way commute is 22 min, 17% lower than the Texas average. About 1.7% of workers work from home. It is about 20 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.