Small city in Ellis County, part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metro

Living in Red Oak, TX

C

114th of 192Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people
Overall score 40 of 100
120th of 181 in the Dallas-Fort Worth area

Red Oak gets an overall grade of C and ranks 114th of 192 Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people. It does best on home ownership and jobs and income, and trails on getting around and cost of living.

  • Pricey
  • Fast-growing
  • Cost of living scores low (19 of 100)
  • Getting around scores low (8 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Red Oak isHoustonSan AntonioAustinRed Oak
Where Red Oak is in Texas.
Population
20,394+42.9% since 2020
Median rent
$1,92037% higher than Texas
Median home value
$366,10029% higher than Texas
Household income
$104,561Median
Average commute
27 minOne way
Violent crime
153Per 100k, 2025

What it's like to live in Red Oak

Red Oak sits about 18 miles from downtown Dallas, in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro. 20,394 people lived here in 2025, up 42.9% from 2020, so it is one of the faster-growing places in Texas. It is spread out, with mostly newer homes (the median home was built in 2007).

Local spots people know include Watkins Park, Red Oak City Park and Pearson Park.

The median age is 34.0, 46% of households have children, 76% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $104,561 a year (33% higher than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Red Oak

  • Low violent crime. 153 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, 60% lower than the Texas rate.
  • High incomes. The median household earns $104,561, 33% higher than the Texas median.
  • Growing fast. The population grew 43% from 2020 to 2025, which usually means new homes, shops and jobs.

Cons of living in Red Oak

  • Higher rent. Median rent is $1,920, 37% higher than the Texas median.
  • Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of hail and wildfires as very high here.

Who Red Oak suits

  • FamiliesA reasonable fit: 50% of rated schools earn an A or B and violent crime is 60% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 46% for families.
  • Young professionalsNot the best fit: household income is 33% higher than the Texas median, with 84 restaurants and 3 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 29% for young professionals.
  • RetireesNot the best fit: 15% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 60% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 23% for retirees.
  • Remote workersNot the best fit: 94% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $1,920 is 37% higher than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 28% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetNot the best fit: the median rent of $1,920 is 37% higher than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 6% for people on a budget.

Red Oak report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Red Oak with other US cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people. Schools, safety and errands compare it with other Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people.

  • Cost of living: grade D

    Median rent $1,920, homes cost 3.5x income.

    19 of 100 vs US cities

  • Jobs and income: grade B-

    Median household income $104,561, 6.0% unemployed.

    61 of 100 vs US cities

  • Schools: grade C-

    6 rated campuses, 50% rated A or B.

    39 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Safety: grade B-

    153 violent crimes per 100k, 1,309 property crimes per 100k.

    57 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Errands and things to do: grade C-

    4 grocery stores, 84 restaurants, 6 parks mapped in town.

    38 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Getting around: grade F

    Average commute 27 min, 15% work from home.

    8 of 100 vs US cities

  • Education levels: grade B-

    37% have a bachelor’s degree.

    61 of 100 vs US cities

  • Health: grade D+

    15% of adults uninsured.

    28 of 100 vs US cities

  • Home ownership: grade B+

    76% of homes owner-occupied.

    79 of 100 vs US cities

  • Internet access: grade B-

    94% of homes have broadband.

    59 of 100 vs US cities

Where Red Oak stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Median household income: $104,56133% higher than Texas ($78,476)
  • Homes owned by the people living in them: 76%13 points higher than Texas (63%)
  • People below the poverty line: 5.2%9 points lower than Texas (14%)

Worse than Texas

  • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 81%29 points higher than Texas (52%)
  • Median rent: $1,92037% higher than Texas ($1,403)
  • Workers who walk, bike or take transit: 0%3 points lower than Texas (2.6%)

Cost of living in Red Oak

Red Oak renters pay a median of $1,920 a month, 37% higher than the statewide median. The usual rule is to spend no more than 30% of income on rent, which means earning around $77,000 a year for a median unit. Right now 81% 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 $366,100, 29% higher than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $2,004 before tax, or $2,512 with property tax. That is $592 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 Red Oak pays $6,091 a year, 44% higher 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 Red Oak

Typical rent by apartment size

Fair market rent by bedroom count in Red OakStudio$1,4911 bedroom$1,5362 bedrooms$1,8073 bedrooms$2,2754 bedrooms$2,892
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Dallas, TX HUD Metro FMR Area. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent37% higher than Texas$1,920$1,403$1,413
Median home value29% higher than Texas$366,100$283,800$332,700
Home value to income3% lower than Texas3.5x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent29 points higher than Texas81%52%51%
Median property tax per year44% higher than Texas$6,091$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them13 points higher than Texas76%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas200719921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$2,512
Mortgage payment
$2,004
Property tax
$508
Median rent, for comparison
$1,920

Based on a $366,100 home in Red Oak, 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 Red Oak safe?

In 2025, Red Oak Police Department reported 32 violent crimes and 273 property crimes. That works out to 153 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 60% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 1,309 property crimes per 100,000, 37% lower than the state rate.

Violent crime is down about 26% 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 Red Oak by yearTexas15320212022202320242025

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

Violent crime
153
per 100k, Texas 387
Property crime
1,309
per 100k, Texas 2,086
Property crimes per 100,000 people in Red Oak by yearTexas1,30920212022202320242025

Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.

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

Schools in Red Oak

Red Oak has 6 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 Red Oak ISD and Life School.

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
39
of 100 vs Texas cities
Average rating
78
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

  • BWooden ElementaryElementary, Red Oak ISD88 of 100
  • BLife School Red OakElementary, Life School81 of 100
  • BRed Oak High SchoolHigh, Red Oak ISD81 of 100
  • CEastridge ElementaryElementary, Red Oak ISD78 of 100
  • CRed Oak ElementaryElementary, Red Oak ISD71 of 100

Best neighborhoods in Red Oak

We grade 3 areas inside Red Oak. The top three are Southwest Red Oak (B), West Red Oak (C-) and Elva (D+). Use the map to color the city by any grade, or the sliders to rank areas by what you care about.

Loading map
    All 3 Red Oak neighborhoods, A to Z

    Daily life in Red Oak

    Everyday places mapped inside Red Oak, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Watkins Park, Red Oak City Park, Pearson Park.

    The average one-way commute is 27 minutes, about the same as the Texas average. 15% 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 18 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Red Oak work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

    The median household income is $104,561, income per person is $36,662, unemployment is 6.0% and 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

    Grocery stores
    4
    Pharmacies
    4
    Restaurants
    84
    Cafes
    3
    Bars
    1
    Parks
    6
    Gyms
    12
    Hospitals and urgent care
    4
    Childcare
    6
    Libraries
    2

    Jobs, income and education

    MeasureHereTexasUS
    Median household income33% higher than Texas$104,561$78,476$80,734
    Income per person10% lower than Texas$36,662$40,752$44,673
    Unemployment rateAbout the same as Texas6.0%5.3%5.2%
    People below the poverty line9 points lower than Texas5.2%14%12%
    Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher3 points higher than Texas37%34%36%
    Adults with a high school diploma or higher8 points higher than Texas94%86%90%
    Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance5 points lower than Texas15%20%11%
    Homes with broadband internet2 points higher than Texas94%91%91%

    Getting to work

    MeasureHereTexasUS
    Average commuteAbout the same as Texas27 min27 min26 min
    Workers who work from homeAbout the same as Texas15%14%15%
    Workers who work from home15%
    Workers who take transit0%
    Workers who walk0%
    Workers who bike0%

    Who lives in Red Oak

    Under 1831%
    18 to 3420%
    35 to 6438%
    65 and over10%

    Median age 34.0 years. 46% of households have children.

    Race and ethnicity
    White27%
    Hispanic or Latino22%
    Black43%
    Asian1.7%
    Other or more than one race6.1%

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

    Weather in Red Oak

    Red Oak 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 monthly high and low temperatures in Red Oak30°50°70°90°58J62F69M77A84M92J96J96A90S80O67N59DRain

    Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Ferris, 4 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.

    Natural hazard risk

    FEMA's National Risk Index says river flooding risk is moderate, hurricane risk is low, 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 floodingModerate
    • HurricanesLow
    • TornadoesHigh
    • HailVery high
    • Heat wavesHigh
    • WildfiresVery high
    • Winter stormsModerate
    • Strong windModerate

    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 Red Oak

    Nearby, Bear Creek Ranch gets a C, Ferris gets a C- and Lancaster gets an F. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.

    1. CBear Creek RanchTown, 1,604 people2 mi
    2. C-FerrisTown, 3,238 people4 mi
    3. FLancasterSmall city, 40,820 people5 mi
    4. FWilmerTown, 6,391 people5 mi
    5. D-Glenn HeightsSmall city, 18,096 people7 mi
    6. A+Oak LeafTown, 1,827 people7 mi

    Red Oak in the Dallas-Fort Worth area

    How it ranks among 181 places in the metro.

    1. 1A+Flower Mound78,389 people26 mito downtown
    2. 2A+Trophy Club13,733 people29 mito downtown
    3. 3A+University Park25,155 people4 mito downtown
    4. 117CRiver Oaks7,584 people37 mito downtown
    5. 118CPoetry1,642 people30 mito downtown
    6. 119CRichland Hills8,493 people27 mito downtown
    7. 120CRed Oak17,077 people18 mito downtown
    8. 121C-Keene6,691 people43 mito downtown
    9. 122C-Anna24,330 people40 mito downtown
    10. 123C-Cross Roads2,035 people33 mito downtown

    See all of the best suburbs of dallas-fort worth

    Living in Red Oak: common questions

    Is Red Oak, TX a good place to live?

    Red Oak gets an overall grade of C and ranks 114th of 192 Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people. It does best on home ownership and jobs and income, and trails on getting around and cost of living.

    How much does it cost to live in Red Oak?

    Renters in Red Oak pay a median of $1,920 a month, 37% higher than the Texas median. The median home is worth $366,100, 29% higher than the Texas median. A median home costs 3.5x 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 $2,512, including property tax.

    Is Red Oak safe?

    In 2025, Red Oak Police Department reported 153 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 60% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 1,309 per 100,000, 37% lower than the Texas rate.

    Are the schools good in Red Oak?

    We found 6 rated public school campuses inside Red Oak. 50% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 39 of 100 compared with other Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people.

    What are the best neighborhoods in Red Oak?

    Based on our scores, the top-rated areas in Red Oak are Southwest Red Oak, West Red Oak and Elva. We score 3 areas in the city.

    Does Red Oak flood?

    FEMA rates river flooding risk in Red Oak as moderate, 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 Red Oak?

    Summers in Red Oak 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 Red Oak?

    The average one-way commute is 27 min, about the same as the Texas average. About 15% of workers work from home. It is about 18 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.