Town in Crosby County, part of the Lubbock metro

Living in Ralls, TX

D-

646th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 13 of 100
13th of 14 in the Lubbock area

Ralls earns a grade of D- on our index, 646th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and internet access, and trails on schools and education levels. It is a strong pick for remote workers and people on a budget.

  • Good for remote workers
  • Good for people on a budget
  • Affordable
  • Jobs and income scores low (16 of 100)
  • Schools scores low (4 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Ralls isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthRalls
Where Ralls is in Texas.
Population
1,556-6.2% since 2020
Median rent
$77745% lower than Texas
Median home value
$72,20075% lower than Texas
Household income
$57,697Median
Average commute
27 minOne way
Violent crime
No dataNo full-year report

What it's like to live in Ralls

Ralls sits about 30 miles from downtown Lubbock, in the Lubbock metro. 1,556 people lived here in 2025, down 6.2% from 2020. It is spread out, with an older housing stock (the median home dates to 1960).

Places locals use include Lions Park and Ralls Library.

The median age is 40.1, 39% of households have children, 67% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $57,697 a year (26% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Ralls

  • Lower rent. Median rent is $777, 45% lower than the Texas median.
  • Homes are affordable for local incomes. The median home costs 1.3 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.

Cons of living in Ralls

  • Weaker school ratings. None of the 3 rated campuses earn an A or B from the state.
  • Higher unemployment. 12% of the labor force is out of work, against 5.3% statewide.
  • Many adults uninsured. 27% of adults 18 to 64 have no health insurance, against 20% statewide.

Who Ralls suits

  • FamiliesNot the best fit: 0% of rated schools earn an A or B. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 6% for families.
  • Young professionalsNot the best fit: household income is 26% lower than the Texas median, with 7 restaurants and 0 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 22% for young professionals.
  • Remote workersA reasonable fit: 89% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $777 is 45% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 81% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $777 is 45% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 85% for people on a budget.

Ralls report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Ralls 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 A

    Median rent $777, homes cost 1.3x income.

    94 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade D-

    Median household income $57,697, 12% unemployed.

    16 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade F

    3 rated campuses, 0% rated A or B.

    4 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: no grade

    1 grocery store, 7 restaurants, 2 parks mapped in town.

    No score vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade D+

    Average commute 27 min, 3.8% work from home.

    25 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade F

    9.9% have a bachelor’s degree.

    6 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade D

    27% of adults uninsured.

    18 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade D-

    67% of homes owner-occupied.

    14 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade C

    89% of homes have broadband.

    43 of 100 vs US towns

Where Ralls stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Home value to income: 1.3x65% lower than Texas (3.6x)
  • Median rent: $77745% lower than Texas ($1,403)
  • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 37%15 points lower than Texas (52%)

Worse than Texas

  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 9.9%24 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • Vacant homes: 23%14 points higher than Texas (9.4%)
  • Median household income: $57,69726% lower than Texas ($78,476)

Cost of living in Ralls

Rent is the cost most newcomers feel first. The median rent in Ralls is $777 a month, 45% lower than the Texas median of $1,403. To keep that rent at 30% of income, a household needs to earn about $31,000 a year. Right now 37% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $1,050 for a one-bedroom, $1,241 for a two-bedroom and $1,718 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 $72,200, 75% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $395 before tax, or $515 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 Ralls pays $1,436 a year, 66% 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 RallsStudio$8931 bedroom$1,0502 bedrooms$1,2413 bedrooms$1,7184 bedrooms$2,053
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Lubbock, TX HUD Metro FMR Area. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent45% lower than Texas$777$1,403$1,413
Median home value75% lower than Texas$72,200$283,800$332,700
Home value to income65% lower than Texas1.3x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent15 points lower than Texas37%52%51%
Median property tax per year66% lower than Texas$1,436$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them5 points higher than Texas67%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas196019921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$515
Mortgage payment
$395
Property tax
$120
Median rent, for comparison
$777

Based on a $72,200 home in Ralls, 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 Ralls

Ralls has 3 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 Ralls 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
4
of 100 vs Texas towns
Average rating
66
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

  • CRalls High SchoolHigh, Ralls ISD73 of 100
  • DRalls ElementaryElementary, Ralls ISD68 of 100
  • FRalls MiddleMiddle, Ralls ISD56 of 100

Daily life in Ralls

Everyday places mapped inside Ralls, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Lions Park, Ralls Library.

The average one-way commute is 27 minutes, about the same as the Texas average. 4% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.

Downtown Lubbock is about 30 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Ralls work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

The median household income is $57,697, income per person is $26,408, unemployment is 12% and 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
1
Pharmacies
0
Restaurants
7
Cafes
0
Bars
0
Parks
2
Gyms
1
Hospitals and urgent care
0
Childcare
0
Libraries
1

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income26% lower than Texas$57,697$78,476$80,734
Income per person35% lower than Texas$26,408$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate7 points higher than Texas12%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line2 points higher than Texas16%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher24 points lower than Texas9.9%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher8 points lower than Texas78%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance7 points higher than Texas27%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet2 points lower than Texas89%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commuteAbout the same as Texas27 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home11 points lower than Texas3.8%14%15%
Workers who work from home3.8%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk0.8%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Ralls

Under 1825%
18 to 3423%
35 to 6435%
65 and over18%

Median age 40.1 years. 39% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White38%
Hispanic or Latino58%
Black3.5%
Asian0%
Other or more than one race1.0%

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

Weather in Ralls

Ralls has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 93°F and January lows about 26°F. There are about 89 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 22 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Ralls20°40°60°80°100°54J59F67M76A83M90J93J92A85S75O64N55DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Crosbyton, 8 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.

Natural hazard risk

    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 Ralls

    Nearby, Crosbyton gets a C+, Idalou gets a B- and Ransom Canyon gets an A+. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.

    1. C+CrosbytonTown, 1,774 people9 mi
    2. B-IdalouTown, 2,151 people17 mi
    3. A+Ransom CanyonTown, 1,041 people20 mi
    4. D+SlatonTown, 5,761 people20 mi
    5. BFloydadaTown, 2,588 people21 mi
    6. AAbernathyTown, 3,278 people29 mi

    Ralls in the Lubbock area

    How it ranks among 14 places in the metro.

    1. 1A+Ransom Canyon1,041 people12 mito downtown
    2. 2AShallowater2,955 people11 mito downtown
    3. 3ASundown1,374 people35 mito downtown
    4. 10D+Slaton5,761 people16 mito downtown
    5. 11D+Post4,326 people39 mito downtown
    6. 12DTahoka2,424 people28 mito downtown
    7. 13D-Ralls1,463 people30 mito downtown
    8. 14D-Morton1,513 people51 mito downtown

    See all of the best suburbs of lubbock

    Living in Ralls: common questions

    Is Ralls, TX a good place to live?

    Ralls earns a grade of D- on our index, 646th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and internet access, and trails on schools and education levels. It is a strong pick for remote workers and people on a budget.

    How much does it cost to live in Ralls?

    Median rent in Ralls is $777 a month, 45% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $72,200, 75% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 1.3x 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 $515, including property tax.

    Are the schools good in Ralls?

    We found 3 rated public school campuses inside Ralls. 0% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 4 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

    What is the weather like in Ralls?

    Summers in Ralls peak at about 93°F in July, and January nights fall to about 26°F. Expect around 89 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 22 inches of rain.

    How long is the commute in Ralls?

    The average one-way commute is 27 min, about the same as the Texas average. About 3.8% of workers work from home. It is about 30 miles from downtown Lubbock.

    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.