Town in McLennan County, part of the Waco metro

Living in Riesel, TX

A

54th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 92 of 100
5th of 24 in the Waco area

Riesel earns a grade of A on our index, 54th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on safety and schools, and trails on health and getting around. It is a strong pick for families and young professionals.

  • Good for families
  • Good for young professionals
  • Top-rated schools
  • Low crime
  • 68% of renters spend 30% or more of income on rent
Map of Texas showing where Riesel isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthRiesel
Where Riesel is in Texas.
Population
1,061+1.1% since 2020
Median rent
$1,17216% lower than Texas
Median home value
$178,50037% lower than Texas
Household income
$98,063Median
Average commute
24 minOne way
Violent crime
0Per 100k, 2025

What it's like to live in Riesel

Riesel sits about 16 miles from downtown Waco, in the Waco metro. 1,061 people lived here in 2025, up 1.1% from 2020. It is small-town and rural in feel.

The median age is 30.9, 39% of households have children, 76% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $98,063 a year (25% higher than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Riesel

  • Low violent crime. 0 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, 100% lower than the Texas rate.
  • Lower rent. Median rent is $1,172, 16% lower than the Texas median.
  • Homes are affordable for local incomes. The median home costs 1.8 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.

Cons of living in Riesel

No clear weak spots in our data.

Who Riesel suits

  • FamiliesA reasonable fit: violent crime is 100% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 94% for families.
  • Young professionalsA reasonable fit: household income is 25% higher than the Texas median, with 5 restaurants and 0 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 87% for young professionals.
  • RetireesA reasonable fit: 13% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 100% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 76% for retirees.
  • Remote workersA reasonable fit: 92% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $1,172 is 16% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 61% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $1,172 is 16% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 48% for people on a budget.

Riesel report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Riesel 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 C

    Median rent $1,172, homes cost 1.8x income.

    43 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade A

    Median household income $98,063, 0% unemployed.

    92 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade A

    2 rated campuses, 100% rated A or B.

    92 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Safety: grade A

    0 violent crimes per 100k, 94 property crimes per 100k.

    93 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Errands and things to do: no grade

    0 grocery stores, 5 restaurants, 2 parks mapped in town.

    No score vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade D+

    Average commute 24 min, 7.6% work from home.

    32 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade B

    28% have a bachelor’s degree.

    71 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade D+

    13% of adults uninsured.

    27 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade B-

    76% of homes owner-occupied.

    60 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade B-

    92% of homes have broadband.

    62 of 100 vs US towns

Where Riesel stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Home value to income: 1.8x50% lower than Texas (3.6x)
  • Homes owned by the people living in them: 76%14 points higher than Texas (63%)
  • Median household income: $98,06325% higher than Texas ($78,476)

Worse than Texas

  • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 68%17 points higher than Texas (52%)
  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 28%6 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • Workers who walk, bike or take transit: 0.5%2 points lower than Texas (2.6%)

Cost of living in Riesel

Rent is the cost most newcomers feel first. The median rent in Riesel is $1,172 a month, 16% lower than the Texas median of $1,403. To keep that rent at 30% of income, a household needs to earn about $47,000 a year. Right now 68% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $1,029 for a one-bedroom, $1,297 for a two-bedroom and $1,693 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 $178,500, 37% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $977 before tax, or $1,141 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 Riesel pays $1,963 a year, 54% 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 RieselStudio$9031 bedroom$1,0292 bedrooms$1,2973 bedrooms$1,6934 bedrooms$1,705
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Waco, TX HUD Metro FMR Area. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent16% lower than Texas$1,172$1,403$1,413
Median home value37% lower than Texas$178,500$283,800$332,700
Home value to income50% lower than Texas1.8x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent17 points higher than Texas68%52%51%
Median property tax per year54% lower than Texas$1,963$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them14 points higher than Texas76%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas197919921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$1,141
Mortgage payment
$977
Property tax
$164
Median rent, for comparison
$1,172

Based on a $178,500 home in Riesel, 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 Riesel safe?

In 2025, Riesel Police Department reported 0 violent crimes and 1 property crimes. That works out to 0 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 100% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 94 property crimes per 100,000, 96% lower than the state rate.

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 Riesel by yearTexas020242025

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

Violent crime
0
per 100k, Texas 387
Property crime
94
per 100k, Texas 2,086
Property crimes per 100,000 people in Riesel by yearTexas9420242025

Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.

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

Schools in Riesel

Riesel has 2 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 100% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Riesel ISD.

Top-rated campuses include Foster Elementary and Riesel School. The average rating score across all campuses is 91 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
92
of 100 vs Texas towns
Average rating
91
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

  • AFoster ElementaryElementary, Riesel ISD91 of 100
  • ARiesel SchoolOther, Riesel ISD90 of 100

Daily life in Riesel

Everyday places mapped inside Riesel, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Mullens Park.

The average one-way commute is 24 minutes, 8% shorter than the Texas average. 8% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.

Downtown Waco is about 16 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Riesel work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

The median household income is $98,063, income per person is $34,081, unemployment is 0% and 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
0
Pharmacies
0
Restaurants
5
Cafes
0
Bars
1
Parks
2
Gyms
0
Hospitals and urgent care
0
Childcare
0
Libraries
0

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income25% higher than Texas$98,063$78,476$80,734
Income per person16% lower than Texas$34,081$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate5 points lower than Texas0%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line7 points lower than Texas6.8%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher6 points lower than Texas28%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher10 points higher than Texas96%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance7 points lower than Texas13%20%11%
Homes with broadband internetAbout the same as Texas92%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute8% lower than Texas24 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home7 points lower than Texas7.6%14%15%
Workers who work from home7.6%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk0.5%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Riesel

Under 1827%
18 to 3430%
35 to 6435%
65 and over8.9%

Median age 30.9 years. 39% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White81%
Hispanic or Latino14%
Black1.2%
Asian0.3%
Other or more than one race3.2%

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

Weather in Riesel

Riesel has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 95°F and January lows about 34°F. There are about 102 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 39 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Riesel30°50°70°90°59J63F69M77A83M91J94J96A90S81O69N61DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Marlin, 12 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 Riesel

    Nearby, Mart gets a D+, Robinson gets a B+ and Marlin gets a C-. 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+MartTown, 1,704 people7 mi
    2. B+RobinsonSmall city, 12,800 people11 mi
    3. C-MarlinTown, 5,516 people12 mi
    4. FBellmeadSmall city, 10,566 people13 mi
    5. D-Beverly HillsTown, 1,590 people14 mi
    6. FLacy-LakeviewTown, 7,274 people15 mi

    Riesel in the Waco area

    How it ranks among 24 places in the metro.

    1. 1A+Crawford1,020 people15 mito downtown
    2. 2A+Willow Grove2,080 people6 mito downtown
    3. 3A+Woodway9,570 people5 mito downtown
    4. 4ALorena1,497 people12 mito downtown
    5. 5ARiesel1,453 people16 mito downtown
    6. 6AHewitt16,432 people7 mito downtown
    7. 7AClifton3,503 people28 mito downtown
    8. 8A-West2,576 people18 mito downtown

    See all of the best suburbs of waco

    Living in Riesel: common questions

    Is Riesel, TX a good place to live?

    Riesel earns a grade of A on our index, 54th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on safety and schools, and trails on health and getting around. It is a strong pick for families and young professionals.

    How much does it cost to live in Riesel?

    Median rent in Riesel is $1,172 a month, 16% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $178,500, 37% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 1.8x 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 $1,141, including property tax.

    Is Riesel safe?

    In 2025, Riesel Police Department reported 0 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 100% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 94 per 100,000, 96% lower than the Texas rate.

    Are the schools good in Riesel?

    We found 2 rated public school campuses inside Riesel. 100% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 92 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

    What is the weather like in Riesel?

    Summers in Riesel peak at about 95°F in July, and January nights fall to about 34°F. Expect around 102 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 39 inches of rain.

    How long is the commute in Riesel?

    The average one-way commute is 24 min, 8% lower than the Texas average. About 7.6% of workers work from home. It is about 16 miles from downtown Waco.

    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.