Small city in Cameron County, part of the Brownsville metro

Living in San Benito, TX

C-

116th of 192Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people
Overall score 39 of 100
15th of 21 in the Brownsville area

We give San Benito a C-. It ranks 116th of 192 Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people. It does best on cost of living and schools, and trails on internet access and education levels.

  • Affordable
  • Short commutes
  • Jobs and income scores low (4 of 100)
  • Education levels scores low (3 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where San Benito isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthSan Benito
Where San Benito is in Texas.
Population
24,9800.0% since 2020
Median rent
$83940% lower than Texas
Median home value
$85,30070% lower than Texas
Household income
$43,639Median
Average commute
18 minOne way
Violent crime
203Per 100k, 2025

What it's like to live in San Benito

San Benito sits about 15 miles from downtown Brownsville, in the Brownsville-Harlingen metro. 24,980 people lived here in 2025, about the same as 2020. It is spread out.

Places locals use include Stookey Park, Falligant Park and San Benito City Park.

The median age is 33.8, 36% of households have children, 66% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $43,639 a year (44% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in San Benito

  • Strong public schools. 72% of the 18 rated campuses here earn an A or B from the Texas Education Agency.
  • Low violent crime. 203 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, 48% lower than the Texas rate.
  • Lower rent. Median rent is $839, 40% lower than the Texas median.
  • Homes are affordable for local incomes. The median home costs 2.0 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.
  • Short commutes. The average trip to work takes 18 minutes, against 27 across Texas.

Cons of living in San Benito

  • Higher unemployment. 7.3% of the labor force is out of work, against 5.3% statewide.
  • Higher poverty. 30% of people live below the poverty line, against 14% across Texas.
  • Many adults uninsured. 39% of adults 18 to 64 have no health insurance, against 20% statewide.
  • Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of hurricanes as very high here.
  • Long, hot summers. Expect about 151 days a year at 90°F or hotter.

Who San Benito suits

  • FamiliesA reasonable fit: 72% of rated schools earn an A or B and violent crime is 48% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 51% for families.
  • Young professionalsNot the best fit: household income is 44% lower than the Texas median, with 94 restaurants and 5 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 31% for young professionals.
  • RetireesNot the best fit: 39% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 48% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 34% for retirees.
  • Remote workersNot the best fit: 81% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $839 is 40% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 13% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $839 is 40% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 64% for people on a budget.

San Benito report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare San Benito 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 B+

    Median rent $839, homes cost 2.0x income.

    77 of 100 vs US cities

  • Jobs and income: grade F

    Median household income $43,639, 7.3% unemployed.

    4 of 100 vs US cities

  • Schools: grade B

    18 rated campuses, 72% rated A or B.

    71 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Safety: grade C-

    203 violent crimes per 100k, 2,488 property crimes per 100k.

    37 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Errands and things to do: grade C

    10 grocery stores, 94 restaurants, 16 parks mapped in town.

    44 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Getting around: grade B-

    Average commute 18 min, 11% work from home.

    61 of 100 vs US cities

  • Education levels: grade F

    14% have a bachelor’s degree.

    3 of 100 vs US cities

  • Health: grade D-

    39% of adults uninsured.

    8 of 100 vs US cities

  • Home ownership: grade D+

    66% of homes owner-occupied.

    28 of 100 vs US cities

  • Internet access: grade F

    81% of homes have broadband.

    2 of 100 vs US cities

Where San Benito stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Home value to income: 2.0x46% lower than Texas (3.6x)
  • Median rent: $83940% lower than Texas ($1,403)
  • Average commute: 18 min34% lower than Texas (27 min)

Worse than Texas

  • Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance: 39%20 points higher than Texas (20%)
  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 14%20 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • Median household income: $43,63944% lower than Texas ($78,476)

Cost of living in San Benito

Rent is the cost most newcomers feel first. The median rent in San Benito is $839 a month, 40% lower than the Texas median of $1,403. To keep that rent at 30% of income, a household needs to earn about $34,000 a year. Right now 61% 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 $85,300, 70% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $467 before tax, or $574 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 San Benito pays $1,286 a year, 70% 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 San Benito

Typical rent by apartment size

Fair market rent by bedroom count in San BenitoStudio$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 rent40% lower than Texas$839$1,403$1,413
Median home value70% lower than Texas$85,300$283,800$332,700
Home value to income46% lower than Texas2.0x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent9 points higher than Texas61%52%51%
Median property tax per year70% lower than Texas$1,286$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them3 points higher than Texas66%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas198719921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$574
Mortgage payment
$467
Property tax
$107
Median rent, for comparison
$839

Based on a $85,300 home in San Benito, 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 San Benito safe?

In 2025, San Benito Police Department reported 50 violent crimes and 614 property crimes. That works out to 203 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 48% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 2,488 property crimes per 100,000, 19% higher than the state rate.

Violent crime is down about 66% 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 San Benito by yearTexas20320212022202320242025

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

Violent crime
203
per 100k, Texas 387
Property crime
2,488
per 100k, Texas 2,086
Property crimes per 100,000 people in San Benito by yearTexas2,48820212022202320242025

Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.

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

Schools in San Benito

San Benito has 18 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 72% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Idea Public Schools, South Texas ISD and San Benito CISD.

Top-rated campuses include Idea College Preparatory San Benito, South Texas ISD Rising Scholars Academy and Angela Gerusa Leal Elementary. The average rating score across all campuses is 85 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
71
of 100 vs Texas cities
Average rating
85
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

  • AIdea College Preparatory San BenitoOther, Idea Public Schools95 of 100
  • ASouth Texas ISD Rising Scholars AcademyMiddle, South Texas ISD93 of 100
  • AAngela Gerusa Leal ElementaryElementary, San Benito CISD92 of 100
  • ACollegiate AcademyMiddle, San Benito CISD91 of 100
  • ASullivan Environmental Science AcademyElementary, San Benito CISD91 of 100

Best neighborhoods in San Benito

We grade 6 areas inside San Benito. The top three are Hunter's Crossing (B), West San Benito (C-) and Northwest San Benito (D+). Use the map to color the city by any grade, or the sliders to rank areas by what you care about.

Loading map

    Rank San Benito 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 San Benito neighborhoods, ranked by your priorities
    1. 1BHunter's Crossing663 people, median rent $710, home $119,000100fit
    2. 2C-West San Benito2,256 people, median rent $1,460, home $152,00080fit
    3. 3D+Northwest San Benito6,844 people, median rent $980, home $63,00060fit
    4. 4D+Central San Benito8,623 people, median rent $760, home $83,00040fit
    5. 5D+Sundance Apartment Homes1,134 people, median rent $780, home $111,00020fit
    6. 6DSunnyside Subdivision3,769 people, median rent $1,110, home $91,0000fit
    All 6 San Benito neighborhoods, A to Z

    Daily life in San Benito

    Everyday places mapped inside San Benito, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Stookey Park, Falligant Park, San Benito City Park.

    The average one-way commute is 18 minutes, 34% shorter than the Texas average. 11% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.

    Downtown Brownsville is about 15 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in San Benito work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

    The median household income is $43,639, income per person is $20,093, unemployment is 7.3% and 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

    Grocery stores
    10
    Pharmacies
    4
    Restaurants
    94
    Cafes
    5
    Bars
    14
    Parks
    16
    Gyms
    5
    Hospitals and urgent care
    3
    Childcare
    8
    Libraries
    1

    Jobs, income and education

    MeasureHereTexasUS
    Median household income44% lower than Texas$43,639$78,476$80,734
    Income per person51% lower than Texas$20,093$40,752$44,673
    Unemployment rate2 points higher than Texas7.3%5.3%5.2%
    People below the poverty line16 points higher than Texas30%14%12%
    Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher20 points lower than Texas14%34%36%
    Adults with a high school diploma or higher14 points lower than Texas72%86%90%
    Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance20 points higher than Texas39%20%11%
    Homes with broadband internet10 points lower than Texas81%91%91%

    Getting to work

    MeasureHereTexasUS
    Average commute34% lower than Texas18 min27 min26 min
    Workers who work from home3 points lower than Texas11%14%15%
    Workers who work from home11%
    Workers who take transit0.0%
    Workers who walk1.0%
    Workers who bike0%

    Who lives in San Benito

    Under 1827%
    18 to 3423%
    35 to 6433%
    65 and over16%

    Median age 33.8 years. 36% of households have children.

    Race and ethnicity
    White6.4%
    Hispanic or Latino93%
    Black0.2%
    Asian0.2%
    Other or more than one race0.3%

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

    Weather in San Benito

    San Benito has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 97°F and January lows about 51°F. There are about 151 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 28 inches of rain a year.

    Average monthly high and low temperatures in San Benito50°70°90°72J76F81M86A91M95J97J98A93S88O80N73DRain

    Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Harlingen, 7 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.

    Natural hazard risk

    FEMA's National Risk Index says river flooding risk is low, hurricane risk is very high, tornado risk is moderate and hail risk is high. Even in lower-risk areas, check the FEMA flood map for the exact address before you buy.

    • River floodingLow
    • Coastal floodingVery low
    • HurricanesVery high
    • TornadoesModerate
    • HailHigh
    • Heat wavesHigh
    • WildfiresModerate
    • 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 San Benito

    Nearby, Palmer gets an F, Rice Tracts gets an A- and La Paloma 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. FPalmerTown, 1,435 people3 mi
    2. A-Rice TractsTown, 1,384 people4 mi
    3. CLa PalomaTown, 2,797 people4 mi
    4. B+Encantada-Ranchito-El CalabozTown, 2,552 people5 mi
    5. C+HarlingenCity, 72,087 people6 mi
    6. A-Rancho ViejoTown, 2,849 people6 mi

    San Benito 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. 12CBrownsville189,177 people0 mito downtown
    5. 13CSouth Padre Island2,891 people20 mito downtown
    6. 14CLa Paloma2,797 people13 mito downtown
    7. 15C-San Benito24,709 people15 mito downtown
    8. 16C-La Feria6,891 people25 mito downtown
    9. 17D+Port Isabel5,111 people14 mito downtown
    10. 18D-Santa Rosa3,215 people29 mito downtown

    See all of the best suburbs of brownsville

    Living in San Benito: common questions

    Is San Benito, TX a good place to live?

    We give San Benito a C-. It ranks 116th of 192 Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people. It does best on cost of living and schools, and trails on internet access and education levels.

    How much does it cost to live in San Benito?

    Median rent in San Benito is $839 a month, 40% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $85,300, 70% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 2.0x 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 $574, including property tax.

    Is San Benito safe?

    In 2025, San Benito Police Department reported 203 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 48% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 2,488 per 100,000, 19% higher than the Texas rate.

    Are the schools good in San Benito?

    We found 18 rated public school campuses inside San Benito. 72% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 71 of 100 compared with other Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people.

    What are the best neighborhoods in San Benito?

    Based on our scores, the top-rated areas in San Benito are Hunter's Crossing, West San Benito and Northwest San Benito. We score 6 areas in the city.

    Does San Benito flood?

    FEMA rates river flooding risk in San Benito as low, and coastal flooding as very low. Hazards rated high or very high here: hurricanes, heat waves and hail. Always check the flood map for a specific address before you buy.

    What is the weather like in San Benito?

    Summers in San Benito peak at about 97°F in July, and January nights fall to about 51°F. Expect around 151 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 28 inches of rain.

    How long is the commute in San Benito?

    The average one-way commute is 18 min, 34% lower than the Texas average. About 11% of workers work from home. It is about 15 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.