Town in Falls County, part of the Waco metro

Living in Rosebud, TX

B+

173rd of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 76 of 100
11th of 24 in the Waco area

Rosebud gets an overall grade of B+ and ranks 173rd of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and safety, and trails on health and home ownership. It is a strong pick for families, retirees and people on a budget.

  • Good for families
  • Good for retirees
  • Good for people on a budget
  • Low crime
  • Affordable
  • Education levels scores low (20 of 100)
  • Health scores low (8 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Rosebud isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthRosebud
Where Rosebud is in Texas.
Population
1,344+3.5% since 2020
Median rent
$72848% lower than Texas
Median home value
$83,00071% lower than Texas
Household income
$45,057Median
Average commute
22 minOne way
Violent crime
0Per 100k, 2025

What it's like to live in Rosebud

Rosebud sits about 36 miles from downtown Waco, in the Waco metro. 1,344 people lived here in 2025, up 3.5% from 2020. It is spread out.

The median age is 50.0, 35% of households have children, 59% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $45,057 a year (43% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Rosebud

  • Low violent crime. 0 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, 100% lower than the Texas rate.
  • Lower rent. Median rent is $728, 48% 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.
  • Short commutes. The average trip to work takes 22 minutes, against 27 across Texas.

Cons of living in Rosebud

  • Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of tornadoes, hail and wildfires as very high here.

Who Rosebud suits

  • FamiliesA reasonable fit: violent crime is 100% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 83% for families.
  • Young professionalsA reasonable fit: household income is 43% lower than the Texas median, with 9 restaurants and 1 cafe in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 52% for young professionals.
  • RetireesA reasonable fit: 21% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 100% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 86% for retirees.
  • Remote workersA reasonable fit: 85% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $728 is 48% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 51% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $728 is 48% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 95% for people on a budget.

Rosebud report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Rosebud 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 $728, homes cost 1.8x income.

    96 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade C

    Median household income $45,057, 0% unemployed.

    43 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade B

    Not enough data.

    72 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Safety: grade A

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

    95 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Errands and things to do: grade C-

    0 grocery stores, 9 restaurants, 0 parks mapped in town.

    38 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade C-

    Average commute 22 min, 5.7% work from home.

    34 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade D

    19% have a bachelor’s degree.

    20 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade D-

    21% of adults uninsured.

    8 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade D

    59% of homes owner-occupied.

    16 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade D+

    85% of homes have broadband.

    25 of 100 vs US towns

Where Rosebud stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 30%22 points lower than Texas (52%)
  • Home value to income: 1.8x49% lower than Texas (3.6x)
  • Median rent: $72848% lower than Texas ($1,403)

Worse than Texas

  • Median household income: $45,05743% lower than Texas ($78,476)
  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 19%14 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • Homes with broadband internet: 85%7 points lower than Texas (91%)

Cost of living in Rosebud

Rent is the cost most newcomers feel first. The median rent in Rosebud is $728 a month, 48% lower than the Texas median of $1,403. To keep that rent at 30% of income, a household needs to earn about $29,000 a year. Right now 30% 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 $83,000, 71% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $454 before tax, or $594 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 Rosebud pays $1,676 a year, 60% 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 RosebudStudio$7061 bedroom$7752 bedrooms$1,0143 bedrooms$1,4044 bedrooms$1,695
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Falls County, TX HUD Metro FMR Area. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent48% lower than Texas$728$1,403$1,413
Median home value71% lower than Texas$83,000$283,800$332,700
Home value to income49% lower than Texas1.8x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent22 points lower than Texas30%52%51%
Median property tax per year60% lower than Texas$1,676$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them4 points lower than Texas59%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas196819921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$594
Mortgage payment
$454
Property tax
$140
Median rent, for comparison
$728

Based on a $83,000 home in Rosebud, 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 Rosebud safe?

In 2025, Rosebud Police Department reported 0 violent crimes and 0 property crimes. That works out to 0 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 100% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 0 property crimes per 100,000, 100% 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 Rosebud 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
0
per 100k, Texas 2,086
Property crimes per 100,000 people in Rosebud by yearTexas020242025

Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.

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

Daily life in Rosebud

Everyday places mapped inside Rosebud, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include D Brown Memorial Library.

The average one-way commute is 22 minutes, 19% shorter than the Texas average. 6% 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 36 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Rosebud work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

The median household income is $45,057, income per person is $25,869, unemployment is 0% and 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

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

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income43% lower than Texas$45,057$78,476$80,734
Income per person37% lower than Texas$25,869$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate5 points lower than Texas0%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line3 points higher than Texas17%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher14 points lower than Texas19%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher8 points lower than Texas78%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance2 points higher than Texas21%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet7 points lower than Texas85%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute19% lower than Texas22 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home9 points lower than Texas5.7%14%15%
Workers who work from home5.7%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk0%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Rosebud

Under 1817%
18 to 3410%
35 to 6441%
65 and over31%

Median age 50.0 years. 35% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White45%
Hispanic or Latino40%
Black12%
Asian0%
Other or more than one race3.3%

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

Weather in Rosebud

Rosebud has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 94°F and January lows about 39°F. There are about 88 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 39 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Rosebud30°50°70°90°61J66F72M78A84M91J94J94A90S81O71N63DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Cameron, 16 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 very 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
  • HurricanesHigh
  • TornadoesVery high
  • HailVery high
  • Heat wavesHigh
  • WildfiresVery high
  • Winter stormsHigh
  • Strong windHigh

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 Rosebud

Nearby, Cameron gets a C+, Marlin gets a C- and Rogers 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. C+CameronTown, 5,416 people15 mi
  2. C-MarlinTown, 5,516 people16 mi
  3. C-RogersTown, 1,303 people18 mi
  4. BTroyTown, 2,844 people22 mi
  5. CBruceville-EddyTown, 1,584 people23 mi
  6. DTempleCity, 89,602 people24 mi

Rosebud 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. 8A-West2,576 people18 mito downtown
  5. 9A-China Spring1,126 people9 mito downtown
  6. 10B+Robinson12,800 people8 mito downtown
  7. 11B+Rosebud1,007 people36 mito downtown
  8. 12BGholson1,112 people11 mito downtown
  9. 13B-Meridian1,638 people37 mito downtown
  10. 14C+Moody1,390 people20 mito downtown

See all of the best suburbs of waco

Living in Rosebud: common questions

Is Rosebud, TX a good place to live?

Rosebud gets an overall grade of B+ and ranks 173rd of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and safety, and trails on health and home ownership. It is a strong pick for families, retirees and people on a budget.

How much does it cost to live in Rosebud?

Median rent in Rosebud is $728 a month, 48% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $83,000, 71% 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 $594, including property tax.

Is Rosebud safe?

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

Does Rosebud flood?

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

What is the weather like in Rosebud?

Summers in Rosebud peak at about 94°F in July, and January nights fall to about 39°F. Expect around 88 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 39 inches of rain.

How long is the commute in Rosebud?

The average one-way commute is 22 min, 19% lower than the Texas average. About 5.7% of workers work from home. It is about 36 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.