Town in Hidalgo County, part of the McAllen metro

Living in San Carlos, TX

D-

647th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 13 of 100
41st of 46 in the McAllen area

We give San Carlos a D-. It ranks 647th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and errands and things to do, and trails on health and education levels.

  • Short commutes
  • Jobs and income scores low (5 of 100)
  • Education levels scores low (3 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where San Carlos isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthSan Carlos
Where San Carlos is in Texas.
Population
3,678
Median rent
$71149% lower than Texas
Median home value
$75,60073% lower than Texas
Household income
$49,132Median
Average commute
20 minOne way
Violent crime
No dataNo full-year report

What it's like to live in San Carlos

San Carlos sits about 12 miles from downtown McAllen, in the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission metro. About 3,678 people live here. It is suburban.

The median age is 34.7, 44% of households have children, 70% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $49,132 a year (37% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in San Carlos

  • Lower rent. Median rent is $711, 49% lower than the Texas median.
  • Homes are affordable for local incomes. The median home costs 1.5 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.
  • Short commutes. The average trip to work takes 20 minutes, against 27 across Texas.

Cons of living in San Carlos

  • Higher unemployment. 21% of the labor force is out of work, against 5.3% statewide.
  • Higher poverty. 23% of people live below the poverty line, against 14% across Texas.
  • Many adults uninsured. 44% of adults 18 to 64 have no health insurance, against 20% statewide.
  • Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of hurricanes and hail as very high here.
  • Long, hot summers. Expect about 167 days a year at 90°F or hotter.

Who San Carlos suits

  • FamiliesNot the best fit. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 21% for families.
  • Young professionalsNot the best fit: household income is 37% lower than the Texas median, with 13 restaurants and 0 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 34% for young professionals.
  • RetireesNot the best fit: 44% of working-age adults are uninsured. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 34% for retirees.
  • Remote workersNot the best fit: 79% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $711 is 49% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 26% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $711 is 49% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 65% for people on a budget.

San Carlos report card

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

    Median rent $711, homes cost 1.5x income.

    74 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade F

    Median household income $49,132, 21% unemployed.

    5 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade D

    Not enough data.

    22 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Safety: no grade

    No full year of crime data from local police.

    No score vs TX towns

  • Errands and things to do: grade C+

    0 grocery stores, 13 restaurants, 1 park mapped in town.

    54 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade C

    Average commute 20 min, 22% work from home.

    40 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade F

    9.9% have a bachelor’s degree.

    3 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade F

    44% of adults uninsured.

    1 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade C-

    70% of homes owner-occupied.

    34 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade D-

    79% of homes have broadband.

    10 of 100 vs US towns

Where San Carlos stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Home value to income: 1.5x57% lower than Texas (3.6x)
  • Median rent: $71149% lower than Texas ($1,403)
  • Average commute: 20 min25% lower than Texas (27 min)

Worse than Texas

  • Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance: 44%24 points higher than Texas (20%)
  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 9.9%24 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • Unemployment rate: 21%16 points higher than Texas (5.3%)

Cost of living in San Carlos

San Carlos renters pay a median of $711 a month, 49% 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 66% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $806 for a one-bedroom, $1,017 for a two-bedroom and $1,305 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 $75,600, 73% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $414 before tax, or $512 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 Carlos pays $1,180 a year, 72% 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 San CarlosStudio$8011 bedroom$8062 bedrooms$1,0173 bedrooms$1,3054 bedrooms$1,439
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX MSA. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent49% lower than Texas$711$1,403$1,413
Median home value73% lower than Texas$75,600$283,800$332,700
Home value to income57% lower than Texas1.5x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent14 points higher than Texas66%52%51%
Median property tax per year72% lower than Texas$1,180$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them8 points higher than Texas70%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas199219921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$512
Mortgage payment
$414
Property tax
$98
Median rent, for comparison
$711

Based on a $75,600 home in San Carlos, 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.

Daily life in San Carlos

Everyday places mapped inside San Carlos, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Sunflower Memorial Park.

The average one-way commute is 20 minutes, 25% shorter than the Texas average. 22% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.

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

The median household income is $49,132, income per person is $18,124, unemployment is 21% and 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
0
Pharmacies
1
Restaurants
13
Cafes
0
Bars
2
Parks
1
Gyms
2
Hospitals and urgent care
0
Childcare
1
Libraries
0

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income37% lower than Texas$49,132$78,476$80,734
Income per person56% lower than Texas$18,124$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate16 points higher than Texas21%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line9 points higher than Texas23%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher24 points lower than Texas9.9%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher20 points lower than Texas66%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance24 points higher than Texas44%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet13 points lower than Texas79%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute25% lower than Texas20 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home8 points higher than Texas22%14%15%
Workers who work from home22%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk0%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in San Carlos

Under 1829%
18 to 3422%
35 to 6440%
65 and over9.7%

Median age 34.7 years. 44% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White2.6%
Hispanic or Latino97%
Black0%
Asian0%
Other or more than one race0%

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

Weather in San Carlos

San Carlos has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 97°F and January lows about 49°F. There are about 167 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 24 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in San Carlos40°60°80°100°70J75F80M86A92M95J97J98A93S89O79N73DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Edinburg, 6 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 very high, tornado risk is moderate 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
  • HurricanesVery high
  • TornadoesModerate
  • HailVery high
  • Heat wavesHigh
  • WildfiresHigh
  • Winter stormsModerate
  • Strong windLow

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 Carlos

Nearby, La Blanca gets a D, Muniz gets a C and César Chávez gets a D-. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.

  1. DLa BlancaTown, 2,998 people2 mi
  2. CMunizTown, 1,601 people3 mi
  3. D-César ChávezTown, 1,351 people3 mi
  4. D+MurilloTown, 8,883 people4 mi
  5. C-ElsaTown, 5,697 people4 mi
  6. D-DoolittleTown, 6,203 people6 mi

San Carlos in the McAllen area

How it ranks among 46 places in the metro.

  1. 1A-Palmhurst2,601 people4 mito downtown
  2. 2B+McAllen145,385 people0 mito downtown
  3. 3B+Hidalgo14,498 people8 mito downtown
  4. 38DLa Blanca2,998 people15 mito downtown
  5. 39D-Doolittle6,203 people12 mito downtown
  6. 40D-César Chávez1,351 people10 mito downtown
  7. 41D-San Carlos3,678 people12 mito downtown
  8. 42D-Donna16,833 people14 mito downtown
  9. 43D-Edcouch2,739 people18 mito downtown
  10. 44D-La Homa11,285 people8 mito downtown

See all of the best suburbs of mcallen

Living in San Carlos: common questions

Is San Carlos, TX a good place to live?

We give San Carlos a D-. It ranks 647th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and errands and things to do, and trails on health and education levels.

How much does it cost to live in San Carlos?

Renters in San Carlos pay a median of $711 a month, 49% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $75,600, 73% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 1.5x 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 $512, including property tax.

Does San Carlos flood?

FEMA rates river flooding risk in San Carlos 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 San Carlos?

Summers in San Carlos peak at about 97°F in July, and January nights fall to about 49°F. Expect around 167 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 24 inches of rain.

How long is the commute in San Carlos?

The average one-way commute is 20 min, 25% lower than the Texas average. About 22% of workers work from home. It is about 12 miles from downtown McAllen.

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.