Town in Cameron County, part of the Brownsville metro

Living in Rio Hondo, TX

D-

651st of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 13 of 100
20th of 21 in the Brownsville area

We give Rio Hondo a D-. It ranks 651st of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on getting around and cost of living, and trails on education levels and internet access.

  • Fast-growing
  • Schools scores low (10 of 100)
  • Education levels scores low (5 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Rio Hondo isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthRio Hondo
Where Rio Hondo is in Texas.
Population
2,332+14.5% since 2020
Median rent
$69151% lower than Texas
Median home value
$104,00063% lower than Texas
Household income
$35,682Median
Average commute
22 minOne way
Violent crime
377Per 100k, 2025

What it's like to live in Rio Hondo

Rio Hondo sits about 18 miles from downtown Brownsville, in the Brownsville-Harlingen metro. 2,332 people lived here in 2025, up 14.5% from 2020, so it is one of the faster-growing places in Texas. It is spread out.

Local spots people know include Rio Hondo City Park, Arroyo City and Rio Hondo Public Library.

The median age is 35.7, 35% of households have children, 58% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $35,682 a year (55% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Rio Hondo

  • Lower rent. Median rent is $691, 51% lower than the Texas median.
  • Short commutes. The average trip to work takes 22 minutes, against 27 across Texas.

Cons of living in Rio Hondo

  • Higher poverty. 26% of people live below the poverty line, against 14% across Texas.
  • Many adults uninsured. 35% of adults 18 to 64 have no health insurance, against 20% statewide.
  • Long, hot summers. Expect about 163 days a year at 90°F or hotter.
  • Spotty home internet. Only 75% of homes have a broadband plan.

Who Rio Hondo suits

  • FamiliesNot the best fit: violent crime is about the same as the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 5% for families.
  • Young professionalsA reasonable fit: household income is 55% lower than the Texas median, with 9 restaurants and 1 cafe in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 48% for young professionals.
  • RetireesNot the best fit: 35% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is about the same as the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 19% for retirees.
  • Remote workersNot the best fit: 75% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $691 is 51% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 5% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $691 is 51% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 42% for people on a budget.

Rio Hondo report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Rio Hondo 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 $691, homes cost 2.9x income.

    51 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade D+

    Median household income $35,682, 1.5% unemployed.

    26 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade D-

    1 rated campuses, 0% rated A or B.

    10 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Safety: grade D

    377 violent crimes per 100k, 795 property crimes per 100k.

    23 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Errands and things to do: no grade

    1 grocery store, 9 restaurants, 2 parks mapped in town.

    No score vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade B+

    Average commute 22 min, 9.4% work from home.

    77 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade F

    12% have a bachelor’s degree.

    5 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade D+

    35% of adults uninsured.

    25 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade C-

    58% of homes owner-occupied.

    39 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade F

    75% of homes have broadband.

    5 of 100 vs US towns

Where Rio Hondo stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Median rent: $69151% lower than Texas ($1,403)
  • Home value to income: 2.9x19% lower than Texas (3.6x)
  • Average commute: 22 min16% lower than Texas (27 min)

Worse than Texas

  • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 76%24 points higher than Texas (52%)
  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 12%22 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • Median household income: $35,68255% lower than Texas ($78,476)

Cost of living in Rio Hondo

Rio Hondo renters pay a median of $691 a month, 51% lower than the statewide median. The usual rule is to spend no more than 30% of income on rent, which means earning around $28,000 a year for a median unit. Right now 76% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $884 for a one-bedroom, $1,042 for a two-bedroom and $1,393 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 $104,000, 63% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $569 before tax, or $696 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 Rio Hondo pays $1,519 a year, 64% 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 Rio HondoStudio$8271 bedroom$8842 bedrooms$1,0423 bedrooms$1,3934 bedrooms$1,496
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Brownsville-Harlingen, TX MSA. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent51% lower than Texas$691$1,403$1,413
Median home value63% lower than Texas$104,000$283,800$332,700
Home value to income19% lower than Texas2.9x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent24 points higher than Texas76%52%51%
Median property tax per year64% lower than Texas$1,519$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them4 points lower than Texas58%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas198619921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$696
Mortgage payment
$569
Property tax
$127
Median rent, for comparison
$691

Based on a $104,000 home in Rio Hondo, 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 Rio Hondo safe?

In 2025, Rio Hondo Police Department reported 9 violent crimes and 19 property crimes. That works out to 377 violent crimes per 100,000 people, about the same as the Texas rate of 387, and 795 property crimes per 100,000, 62% lower than the state rate.

Violent crime is up about 12% 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 Rio Hondo by yearTexas37720212022202320242025

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

Violent crime
377
per 100k, Texas 387
Property crime
795
per 100k, Texas 2,086
Property crimes per 100,000 people in Rio Hondo by yearTexas79520212022202320242025

Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.

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

Schools in Rio Hondo

Rio Hondo has 1 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 Rio Hondo 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
10
of 100 vs Texas towns
Average rating
70
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

  • CRio Hondo ElementaryElementary, Rio Hondo ISD70 of 100

Daily life in Rio Hondo

Everyday places mapped inside Rio Hondo, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Rio Hondo City Park, Arroyo City, Rio Hondo Public Library.

The average one-way commute is 22 minutes, 16% shorter than the Texas average. 9% of workers work from home. 3.9% walk, bike or take transit to work.

Downtown Brownsville is about 18 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Rio Hondo work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

The median household income is $35,682, income per person is $24,636, unemployment is 1.5% and 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
1
Pharmacies
1
Restaurants
9
Cafes
1
Bars
0
Parks
2
Gyms
0
Hospitals and urgent care
0
Childcare
1
Libraries
1

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income55% lower than Texas$35,682$78,476$80,734
Income per person40% lower than Texas$24,636$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate4 points lower than Texas1.5%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line12 points higher than Texas26%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher22 points lower than Texas12%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher20 points lower than Texas66%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance15 points higher than Texas35%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet17 points lower than Texas75%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute16% lower than Texas22 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home5 points lower than Texas9.4%14%15%
Workers who work from home9.4%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk3.9%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Rio Hondo

Under 1826%
18 to 3422%
35 to 6431%
65 and over20%

Median age 35.7 years. 35% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White9.1%
Hispanic or Latino89%
Black0%
Asian0.5%
Other or more than one race1.3%

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

Weather in Rio Hondo

Rio Hondo has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 96°F and January lows about 50°F. There are about 163 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 24 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Rio Hondo50°70°90°72J76F81M86A91M95J96J97A92S88O79N73DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Harlingen Rio Grande Ap, 5 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 Rio Hondo

    Nearby, Harlingen gets a C+, San Benito gets a C- and Combes 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. C+HarlingenCity, 72,087 people8 mi
    2. C-San BenitoSmall city, 24,709 people9 mi
    3. B-CombesTown, 3,178 people10 mi
    4. D-LaurelesTown, 4,224 people10 mi
    5. A-Palm ValleyTown, 2,155 people11 mi
    6. FPalmerTown, 1,435 people12 mi

    Rio Hondo in the Brownsville area

    How it ranks among 21 places in the metro.

    1. 1A-South Point1,054 people10 mito downtown
    2. 2A-Palm Valley2,155 people23 mito downtown
    3. 3A-Rancho Viejo2,849 people7 mito downtown
    4. 17D+Port Isabel5,111 people14 mito downtown
    5. 18D-Santa Rosa3,215 people29 mito downtown
    6. 19D-Laureles4,224 people8 mito downtown
    7. 20D-Rio Hondo1,865 people18 mito downtown
    8. 21FPalmer1,435 people12 mito downtown

    See all of the best suburbs of brownsville

    Living in Rio Hondo: common questions

    Is Rio Hondo, TX a good place to live?

    We give Rio Hondo a D-. It ranks 651st of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on getting around and cost of living, and trails on education levels and internet access.

    How much does it cost to live in Rio Hondo?

    Renters in Rio Hondo pay a median of $691 a month, 51% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $104,000, 63% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 2.9x 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 $696, including property tax.

    Is Rio Hondo safe?

    In 2025, Rio Hondo Police Department reported 377 violent crimes per 100,000 people, about the same as the Texas rate. Property crime was 795 per 100,000, 62% lower than the Texas rate.

    Are the schools good in Rio Hondo?

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

    What is the weather like in Rio Hondo?

    Summers in Rio Hondo peak at about 96°F in July, and January nights fall to about 50°F. Expect around 163 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 24 inches of rain.

    How long is the commute in Rio Hondo?

    The average one-way commute is 22 min, 16% lower than the Texas average. About 9.4% of workers work from home. It is about 18 miles from downtown Brownsville.

    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.