Small city in Starr County

Living in Roma, TX

C+

91st of 192Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people
Overall score 53 of 100

Roma earns a grade of C+ on our index, 91st of 192 Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people. It does best on schools and errands and things to do, and trails on internet access and jobs and income.

  • Errands close by
  • Top-rated schools
  • Jobs and income scores low (0 of 100)
  • Education levels scores low (4 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Roma isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthRoma
Where Roma is in Texas.
Population
11,543+0.2% since 2020
Median rent
$56360% lower than Texas
Median home value
$94,40067% lower than Texas
Household income
$24,579Median
Average commute
26 minOne way
Violent crime
197Per 100k, 2025

What it's like to live in Roma

Roma is a small city in Starr County. 11,543 people lived here in 2025, up 0.2% from 2020. It is spread out.

Local spots people know include Roma Municipal Park, Roma Community Park and Bicentennial Plaza.

The median age is 28.0, 46% of households have children, 55% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $24,579 a year (69% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Roma

  • Strong public schools. 100% of the 3 rated campuses here earn an A or B from the Texas Education Agency.
  • Low violent crime. 197 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, 49% lower than the Texas rate.
  • Lower rent. Median rent is $563, 60% lower than the Texas median.
  • Plenty close to home. 5 grocery stores, 56 restaurants and 5 parks are mapped in town.

Cons of living in Roma

  • Higher unemployment. 12% of the labor force is out of work, against 5.3% statewide.
  • Higher poverty. 37% of people live below the poverty line, against 14% across Texas.
  • Many adults uninsured. 45% of adults 18 to 64 have no health insurance, against 20% statewide.
  • Long, hot summers. Expect about 195 days a year at 90°F or hotter.
  • Spotty home internet. Only 68% of homes have a broadband plan.

Who Roma suits

  • FamiliesA reasonable fit: 100% of rated schools earn an A or B and violent crime is 49% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 68% for families.
  • Young professionalsA reasonable fit: household income is 69% lower than the Texas median, with 56 restaurants and 2 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 64% for young professionals.
  • RetireesA reasonable fit: 45% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 49% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 46% for retirees.
  • Remote workersNot the best fit: 68% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $563 is 60% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 13% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetNot the best fit: the median rent of $563 is 60% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 29% for people on a budget.

Roma report card

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

    Median rent $563, homes cost 3.8x income.

    52 of 100 vs US cities

  • Jobs and income: grade F

    Median household income $24,579, 12% unemployed.

    0 of 100 vs US cities

  • Schools: grade A

    3 rated campuses, 100% rated A or B.

    92 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Safety: grade B-

    197 violent crimes per 100k, 909 property crimes per 100k.

    57 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Errands and things to do: grade A

    5 grocery stores, 56 restaurants, 5 parks mapped in town.

    88 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Getting around: grade B+

    Average commute 26 min, 17% work from home.

    74 of 100 vs US cities

  • Education levels: grade F

    16% have a bachelor’s degree.

    4 of 100 vs US cities

  • Health: grade F

    45% of adults uninsured.

    1 of 100 vs US cities

  • Home ownership: grade F

    55% of homes owner-occupied.

    6 of 100 vs US cities

  • Internet access: grade F

    68% of homes have broadband.

    0 of 100 vs US cities

Where Roma stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Median rent: $56360% lower than Texas ($1,403)
  • Workers who walk, bike or take transit: 6.6%4 points higher than Texas (2.6%)

Worse than Texas

  • Median household income: $24,57969% lower than Texas ($78,476)
  • Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance: 45%25 points higher than Texas (20%)
  • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 76%24 points higher than Texas (52%)

Cost of living in Roma

Roma renters pay a median of $563 a month, 60% lower than the statewide median. The usual rule is to spend no more than 30% of income on rent, which means earning around $23,000 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 $775 for a one-bedroom, $1,014 for a two-bedroom and $1,404 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 $94,400, 67% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $517 before tax, or $618 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 Roma pays $1,215 a year, 71% lower 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 Roma

Typical rent by apartment size

Fair market rent by bedroom count in RomaStudio$7711 bedroom$7752 bedrooms$1,0143 bedrooms$1,4044 bedrooms$1,471
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Starr County, TX. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent60% lower than Texas$563$1,403$1,413
Median home value67% lower than Texas$94,400$283,800$332,700
Home value to income6% higher than Texas3.8x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent24 points higher than Texas76%52%51%
Median property tax per year71% lower than Texas$1,215$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them7 points lower than Texas55%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas199319921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$618
Mortgage payment
$517
Property tax
$101
Median rent, for comparison
$563

Based on a $94,400 home in Roma, 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 Roma safe?

In 2025, Roma Police Department reported 23 violent crimes and 106 property crimes. That works out to 197 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 49% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 909 property crimes per 100,000, 56% lower than the state rate.

Violent crime is down about 29% 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 Roma by yearTexas19720212022202320242025

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

Violent crime
197
per 100k, Texas 387
Property crime
909
per 100k, Texas 2,086
Property crimes per 100,000 people in Roma by yearTexas90920212022202320242025

Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.

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

Schools in Roma

Roma has 3 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 Roma ISD.

Top-rated campuses include Florence J Scott Elementary and Roel A & Celia R Saenz Elementary. The average rating score across all campuses is 92 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 cities
Average rating
92
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

  • AFlorence J Scott ElementaryElementary, Roma ISD95 of 100
  • ARoel A & Celia R Saenz ElementaryElementary, Roma ISD95 of 100
  • BRoma MiddleMiddle, Roma ISD85 of 100

Best neighborhoods in Roma

We grade 6 areas inside Roma. The top three are Campobello Number 2 Colonia (C+), De La Cruz Colonia (C+) and Ala Blanca Colonia (C+). If price matters most, De La Cruz Colonia has the lowest median rent among areas graded C or better, at $450 a month. Mesquite Number 4 Colonia is the priciest, at $750. Use the map to color the city by any grade, or the sliders to rank areas by what you care about.

Loading map

    Rank Roma neighborhoods your way

    What matters to you?

    Move a slider and the list re-ranks right away.

    Most
    A lot
    Most
    A lot
    A lot
    A lot
    Some
    A lot
    Some
    A little

    The grade is our overall grade. Fit shows how well each one matches your sliders, from 0 to 100, against the others in this list.

    6 Roma neighborhoods, ranked by your priorities
    1. 1C+Ala Blanca Colonia1,317 people, home $121,000100fit
    2. 2C+Campobello Number 2 Colonia2,325 people, median rent $740, home $110,00080fit
    3. 3C+De La Cruz Colonia1,142 people, median rent $450, home $33,00060fit
    4. 4CMesquite Number 4 Colonia2,272 people, median rent $750, home $86,00040fit
    5. 5CMirasoles Colonia2,878 people, median rent $520, home $78,00020fit
    6. 6CMoreno Colonia2,118 people, median rent $620, home $88,0000fit
    All 6 Roma neighborhoods, A to Z

    Daily life in Roma

    Everyday places mapped inside Roma, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Roma Municipal Park, Roma Community Park, Bicentennial Plaza.

    The average one-way commute is 26 minutes, about the same as the Texas average. 17% of workers work from home. 6.6% walk, bike or take transit to work.

    Downtown Rio Grande City is about 12 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Roma work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

    The median household income is $24,579, income per person is $19,915, unemployment is 12% and 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

    Grocery stores
    5
    Pharmacies
    4
    Restaurants
    56
    Cafes
    2
    Bars
    2
    Parks
    5
    Gyms
    2
    Hospitals and urgent care
    2
    Childcare
    5
    Libraries
    1

    Jobs, income and education

    MeasureHereTexasUS
    Median household income69% lower than Texas$24,579$78,476$80,734
    Income per person51% lower than Texas$19,915$40,752$44,673
    Unemployment rate7 points higher than Texas12%5.3%5.2%
    People below the poverty line23 points higher than Texas37%14%12%
    Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher17 points lower than Texas16%34%36%
    Adults with a high school diploma or higher29 points lower than Texas57%86%90%
    Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance25 points higher than Texas45%20%11%
    Homes with broadband internet23 points lower than Texas68%91%91%

    Getting to work

    MeasureHereTexasUS
    Average commuteAbout the same as Texas26 min27 min26 min
    Workers who work from home3 points higher than Texas17%14%15%
    Workers who work from home17%
    Workers who take transit0%
    Workers who walk6.6%
    Workers who bike0%

    Who lives in Roma

    Under 1838%
    18 to 3424%
    35 to 6424%
    65 and over15%

    Median age 28.0 years. 46% of households have children.

    Race and ethnicity
    White3.4%
    Hispanic or Latino97%
    Black0%
    Asian0%
    Other or more than one race0%

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

    Weather in Roma

    Roma has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 102°F and January lows about 49°F. There are about 195 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 20 inches of rain a year.

    Average monthly high and low temperatures in Roma40°60°80°100°72J77F84M91A96M101J102J103A96S90O80N72DRain

    Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Falcon Dam, 12 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 high, tornado risk is low and hail risk is high. Even in lower-risk areas, check the FEMA flood map for the exact address before you buy.

    • River floodingModerate
    • HurricanesHigh
    • TornadoesLow
    • HailHigh
    • Heat wavesHigh
    • WildfiresHigh
    • Winter stormsModerate
    • Strong windVery low

    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 Roma

    Nearby, Escobares gets a C, Mi Ranchito Estate gets a D and Rio Grande City 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. CEscobaresTown, 2,573 people4 mi
    2. DMi Ranchito EstateTown, 1,091 people9 mi
    3. C-Rio Grande CitySmall city, 15,396 people13 mi
    4. D-Las LomasTown, 2,154 people16 mi
    5. CAlto Bonito HeightsTown, 1,121 people25 mi
    6. D+MikesTown, 1,688 people25 mi

    Living in Roma: common questions

    Is Roma, TX a good place to live?

    Roma earns a grade of C+ on our index, 91st of 192 Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people. It does best on schools and errands and things to do, and trails on internet access and jobs and income.

    How much does it cost to live in Roma?

    Renters in Roma pay a median of $563 a month, 60% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $94,400, 67% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 3.8x 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 $618, including property tax.

    Is Roma safe?

    In 2025, Roma Police Department reported 197 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 49% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 909 per 100,000, 56% lower than the Texas rate.

    Are the schools good in Roma?

    We found 3 rated public school campuses inside Roma. 100% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 92 of 100 compared with other Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people.

    What are the best neighborhoods in Roma?

    Based on our scores, the top-rated areas in Roma are Campobello Number 2 Colonia, De La Cruz Colonia and Ala Blanca Colonia. We score 6 areas in the city.

    Does Roma flood?

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

    What is the weather like in Roma?

    Summers in Roma peak at about 102°F in July, and January nights fall to about 49°F. Expect around 195 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 20 inches of rain.

    How long is the commute in Roma?

    The average one-way commute is 26 min, about the same as the Texas average. About 17% of workers work from home. It is about 12 miles from downtown Rio Grande City.

    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.