Small city in Bexar County, part of the San Antonio metro

Living in Selma, TX

B+

49th of 192Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people
Overall score 75 of 100
18th of 54 in the San Antonio area

Selma earns a grade of B+ on our index, 49th of 192 Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people. It does best on errands and things to do and internet access, and trails on getting around. It is a strong pick for retirees and remote workers.

  • Good for retirees
  • Good for remote workers
  • Getting around scores low (3 of 100)
  • River flooding risk is very high
Map of Texas showing where Selma isHoustonDallasAustinFort WorthSelma
Where Selma is in Texas.
Population
11,955+9.2% since 2020
Median rent
$1,77426% higher than Texas
Median home value
$313,90011% higher than Texas
Household income
$97,066Median
Average commute
30 minOne way
Violent crime
158Per 100k, 2025

What it's like to live in Selma

Selma sits about 15 miles from downtown San Antonio, in the San Antonio-New Braunfels metro. 11,955 people lived here in 2025, up 9.2% from 2020. It is suburban, with mostly newer homes (the median home was built in 2010).

Places locals use include Stage Stop Park, John S. Harrison City Park and Historic Site and Retama Springs Nature Park.

The median age is 34.9, 43% of households have children, 64% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $97,066 a year (24% higher than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Selma

  • Low violent crime. 158 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, 59% lower than the Texas rate.
  • Plenty close to home. 2 grocery stores, 52 restaurants and 11 parks are mapped in town.

Cons of living in Selma

  • Higher rent. Median rent is $1,774, 26% higher than the Texas median.
  • Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of river flooding, tornadoes and heat waves as very high here.
  • Long, hot summers. Expect about 117 days a year at 90°F or hotter.

Who Selma suits

  • FamiliesA reasonable fit: violent crime is 59% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 64% for families.
  • Young professionalsA strong fit: household income is 24% higher than the Texas median, with 52 restaurants and 2 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 77% for young professionals.
  • RetireesA strong fit: 14% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 59% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 84% for retirees.
  • Remote workersA strong fit: 95% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $1,774 is 26% higher than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 91% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $1,774 is 26% higher than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 72% for people on a budget.

Selma report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Selma 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 $1,774, homes cost 3.2x income.

    69 of 100 vs US cities

  • Jobs and income: grade B-

    Median household income $97,066, 4.8% unemployed.

    63 of 100 vs US cities

  • Schools: grade C

    Not enough data.

    43 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Safety: grade C

    158 violent crimes per 100k, 2,038 property crimes per 100k.

    48 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Errands and things to do: grade A-

    2 grocery stores, 52 restaurants, 11 parks mapped in town.

    81 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Getting around: grade F

    Average commute 30 min, 20% work from home.

    3 of 100 vs US cities

  • Education levels: grade C+

    37% have a bachelor’s degree.

    53 of 100 vs US cities

  • Health: grade C

    14% of adults uninsured.

    45 of 100 vs US cities

  • Home ownership: grade B-

    64% of homes owner-occupied.

    61 of 100 vs US cities

  • Internet access: grade B

    95% of homes have broadband.

    71 of 100 vs US cities

Where Selma stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 36%16 points lower than Texas (52%)
  • Median household income: $97,06624% higher than Texas ($78,476)
  • People below the poverty line: 6.2%8 points lower than Texas (14%)

Worse than Texas

  • Median rent: $1,77426% higher than Texas ($1,403)
  • Average commute: 30 min12% higher than Texas (27 min)
  • Workers who walk, bike or take transit: 0%3 points lower than Texas (2.6%)

Cost of living in Selma

Rent is the cost most newcomers feel first. The median rent in Selma is $1,774 a month, 26% higher than the Texas median of $1,403. To keep that rent at 30% of income, a household needs to earn about $71,000 a year. Right now 36% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $1,196 for a one-bedroom, $1,441 for a two-bedroom and $1,864 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 $313,900, 11% higher than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $1,718 before tax, or $2,164 with property tax. That is $390 a month more than the median rent, a gap that can be worth it if you plan to stay a while.

Texas has no state income tax, but property taxes are among the highest in the country. The median homeowner in Selma pays $5,353 a year, 26% higher 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 Selma

Typical rent by apartment size

Fair market rent by bedroom count in SelmaStudio$1,0991 bedroom$1,1962 bedrooms$1,4413 bedrooms$1,8644 bedrooms$2,163
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX HUD Metro FMR Area. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent26% higher than Texas$1,774$1,403$1,413
Median home value11% higher than Texas$313,900$283,800$332,700
Home value to income11% lower than Texas3.2x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent16 points lower than Texas36%52%51%
Median property tax per year26% higher than Texas$5,353$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them1 points higher than Texas64%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas201019921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$2,164
Mortgage payment
$1,718
Property tax
$446
Median rent, for comparison
$1,774

Based on a $313,900 home in Selma, 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 Selma safe?

In 2025, Selma Police Department reported 19 violent crimes and 245 property crimes. That works out to 158 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 59% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 2,038 property crimes per 100,000, about the same as the state rate.

Violent crime is up about 61% 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 Selma by yearTexas15820212022202320242025

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

Violent crime
158
per 100k, Texas 387
Property crime
2,038
per 100k, Texas 2,086
Property crimes per 100,000 people in Selma by yearTexas2,03820212022202320242025

Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.

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

Daily life in Selma

Everyday places mapped inside Selma, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Stage Stop Park, John S. Harrison City Park and Historic Site, Retama Springs Nature Park.

The average one-way commute is 30 minutes, 12% longer than the Texas average. 20% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.

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

The median household income is $97,066, income per person is $44,339, unemployment is 4.8% and 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
2
Pharmacies
0
Restaurants
52
Cafes
2
Bars
4
Parks
11
Gyms
3
Hospitals and urgent care
1
Childcare
0
Libraries
0

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income24% higher than Texas$97,066$78,476$80,734
Income per person9% higher than Texas$44,339$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rateAbout the same as Texas4.8%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line8 points lower than Texas6.2%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher3 points higher than Texas37%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher6 points higher than Texas92%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance6 points lower than Texas14%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet4 points higher than Texas95%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute12% higher than Texas30 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home6 points higher than Texas20%14%15%
Workers who work from home20%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk0%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Selma

Under 1828%
18 to 3423%
35 to 6441%
65 and over9.2%

Median age 34.9 years. 43% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White36%
Hispanic or Latino36%
Black22%
Asian2.2%
Other or more than one race4.2%

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

Weather in Selma

Selma has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 93°F and January lows about 37°F. There are about 117 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 34 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Selma30°50°70°90°62J66F72M79A85M90J93J95A89S81O71N63DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from New Braunfels, 10 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.

Natural hazard risk

FEMA's National Risk Index says river flooding risk is very high, hurricane risk is moderate, tornado risk is very high and hail risk is very high. Before you buy, look up the FEMA flood zone for the exact address and get a flood insurance quote, since standard home policies do not cover floods.

  • River floodingVery high
  • HurricanesModerate
  • TornadoesVery high
  • HailVery high
  • Heat wavesVery high
  • WildfiresHigh
  • 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 Selma

Nearby, Universal City gets a B, Live Oak gets an A- and Schertz gets a B. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.

  1. BUniversal CitySmall city, 20,189 people3 mi
  2. A-Live OakSmall city, 15,984 people3 mi
  3. BSchertzSmall city, 44,050 people3 mi
  4. A-Garden RidgeTown, 4,332 people3 mi
  5. D+ConverseSmall city, 29,607 people6 mi
  6. B+CiboloSmall city, 35,109 people6 mi

Selma in the San Antonio area

How it ranks among 54 places in the metro.

  1. 1A+Cross Mountain3,752 people16 mito downtown
  2. 2A+Shavano Park3,670 people9 mito downtown
  3. 3A+Hollywood Park3,143 people10 mito downtown
  4. 15A-Terrell Hills5,070 people5 mito downtown
  5. 16A-Scenic Oaks10,569 people19 mito downtown
  6. 17A-Boerne20,518 people25 mito downtown
  7. 18B+Selma11,503 people15 mito downtown
  8. 19B+Castle Hills3,943 people4 mito downtown
  9. 20B+New Braunfels104,643 people30 mito downtown
  10. 21B+Castroville3,092 people23 mito downtown

See all of the best suburbs of san antonio

Living in Selma: common questions

Is Selma, TX a good place to live?

Selma earns a grade of B+ on our index, 49th of 192 Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people. It does best on errands and things to do and internet access, and trails on getting around. It is a strong pick for retirees and remote workers.

How much does it cost to live in Selma?

Median rent in Selma is $1,774 a month, 26% higher than the Texas median. The median home is worth $313,900, 11% higher than the Texas median. A median home costs 3.2x 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 $2,164, including property tax.

Is Selma safe?

In 2025, Selma Police Department reported 158 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 59% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 2,038 per 100,000, about the same as the Texas rate.

Does Selma flood?

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

What is the weather like in Selma?

Summers in Selma peak at about 93°F in July, and January nights fall to about 37°F. Expect around 117 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 34 inches of rain.

How long is the commute in Selma?

The average one-way commute is 30 min, 12% higher than the Texas average. About 20% of workers work from home. It is about 15 miles from downtown San Antonio.

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.