Town in Hidalgo County, part of the McAllen metro

Living in Scissors, TX

D+

512th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 31 of 100
28th of 46 in the McAllen area

We give Scissors a D+. It ranks 512th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and home ownership, and trails on education levels and health. It is a strong pick for people on a budget.

  • Good for people on a budget
  • Affordable
  • Jobs and income scores low (8 of 100)
  • Education levels scores low (0 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Scissors isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthScissors
Where Scissors is in Texas.
Population
4,267
Median rent
$66153% lower than Texas
Median home value
$82,40071% lower than Texas
Household income
$40,938Median
Average commute
23 minOne way
Violent crime
No dataNo full-year report

What it's like to live in Scissors

Scissors sits about 14 miles from downtown McAllen, in the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission metro. About 4,267 people live here. It is suburban.

The median age is 22.5, 57% of households have children, 84% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $40,938 a year (48% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Scissors

  • Lower rent. Median rent is $661, 53% 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.

Cons of living in Scissors

  • Higher poverty. 33% of people live below the poverty line, against 14% across Texas.
  • Many adults uninsured. 47% of adults 18 to 64 have no health insurance, against 20% statewide.
  • Long, hot summers. Expect about 160 days a year at 90°F or hotter.

Who Scissors suits

  • FamiliesA reasonable fit. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 45% for families.
  • Young professionalsNot the best fit: household income is 48% lower than the Texas median, with 5 restaurants and 0 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 20% for young professionals.
  • Remote workersA reasonable fit: 88% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $661 is 53% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 68% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $661 is 53% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 83% for people on a budget.

Scissors report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Scissors 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 $661, homes cost 2.0x income.

    93 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade D-

    Median household income $40,938, 5.8% unemployed.

    8 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade C

    Not enough data.

    41 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: no grade

    0 grocery stores, 5 restaurants, 0 parks mapped in town.

    No score vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade C-

    Average commute 23 min, 4.2% work from home.

    35 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade F

    2.6% have a bachelor’s degree.

    0 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade F

    47% of adults uninsured.

    1 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade C+

    84% of homes owner-occupied.

    49 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade C-

    88% of homes have broadband.

    37 of 100 vs US towns

Where Scissors stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Homes owned by the people living in them: 84%22 points higher than Texas (63%)
  • Median rent: $66153% lower than Texas ($1,403)
  • Home value to income: 2.0x44% lower than Texas (3.6x)

Worse than Texas

  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 2.6%31 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance: 47%27 points higher than Texas (20%)
  • People below the poverty line: 33%19 points higher than Texas (14%)

Cost of living in Scissors

Scissors renters pay a median of $661 a month, 53% lower than the statewide median. The usual rule is to spend no more than 30% of income on rent, which means earning around $26,000 a year for a median unit. Right now 40% 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 $82,400, 71% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $451 before tax, or $510 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 Scissors pays $712 a year, 83% 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 ScissorsStudio$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 rent53% lower than Texas$661$1,403$1,413
Median home value71% lower than Texas$82,400$283,800$332,700
Home value to income44% lower than Texas2.0x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent12 points lower than Texas40%52%51%
Median property tax per year83% lower than Texas$712$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them22 points higher than Texas84%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas199519921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$510
Mortgage payment
$451
Property tax
$59
Median rent, for comparison
$661

Based on a $82,400 home in Scissors, 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 Scissors

Everyday places mapped inside Scissors, from Overture Maps.

The average one-way commute is 23 minutes, 12% shorter than the Texas average. 4% 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 14 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Scissors work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

The median household income is $40,938, income per person is $14,864, unemployment is 5.8% and 3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
0
Pharmacies
0
Restaurants
5
Cafes
0
Bars
0
Parks
0
Gyms
0
Hospitals and urgent care
0
Childcare
0
Libraries
0

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income48% lower than Texas$40,938$78,476$80,734
Income per person64% lower than Texas$14,864$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rateAbout the same as Texas5.8%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line19 points higher than Texas33%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher31 points lower than Texas2.6%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher44 points lower than Texas42%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance27 points higher than Texas47%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet4 points lower than Texas88%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute12% lower than Texas23 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home10 points lower than Texas4.2%14%15%
Workers who work from home4.2%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk0.3%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Scissors

Under 1839%
18 to 3425%
35 to 6428%
65 and over8.1%

Median age 22.5 years. 57% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White0.2%
Hispanic or Latino100%
Black0%
Asian0%
Other or more than one race0%

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

Weather in Scissors

Scissors has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 96°F and January lows about 50°F. There are about 160 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 26 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Scissors50°70°90°71J75F81M86A90M95J96J97A92S87O80N72DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Weslaco, 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 Scissors

    Nearby, Donna gets a D-, Midway South gets a C and Weslaco 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. D-DonnaSmall city, 16,833 people1 mi
    2. CMidway SouthTown, 2,308 people2 mi
    3. CWeslacoSmall city, 42,229 people4 mi
    4. CMidway NorthTown, 3,594 people4 mi
    5. C+South AlamoTown, 3,309 people4 mi
    6. B-Llano GrandeTown, 2,283 people5 mi

    Scissors 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. 25C-Elsa5,697 people17 mito downtown
    5. 26C-Abram1,741 people11 mito downtown
    6. 27D+Sullivan City3,902 people20 mito downtown
    7. 28D+Scissors4,267 people14 mito downtown
    8. 29D+Alton20,214 people6 mito downtown
    9. 30D+Murillo8,883 people8 mito downtown
    10. 31DOlivarez6,326 people16 mito downtown

    See all of the best suburbs of mcallen

    Living in Scissors: common questions

    Is Scissors, TX a good place to live?

    We give Scissors a D+. It ranks 512th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and home ownership, and trails on education levels and health. It is a strong pick for people on a budget.

    How much does it cost to live in Scissors?

    Renters in Scissors pay a median of $661 a month, 53% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $82,400, 71% 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 $510, including property tax.

    What is the weather like in Scissors?

    Summers in Scissors peak at about 96°F in July, and January nights fall to about 50°F. Expect around 160 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 26 inches of rain.

    How long is the commute in Scissors?

    The average one-way commute is 23 min, 12% lower than the Texas average. About 4.2% of workers work from home. It is about 14 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.