Town in Cameron County, part of the Brownsville metro

Living in South Padre Island, TX

C

404th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 46 of 100
13th of 21 in the Brownsville area

South Padre Island earns a grade of C on our index, 404th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on getting around and education levels, and trails on safety and cost of living. It is a strong pick for young professionals.

  • Good for young professionals
  • Pricey
  • Short commutes
  • Cost of living scores low (8 of 100)
  • Safety scores low (0 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where South Padre Island isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthSouth Padre Island
Where South Padre Island is in Texas.
Population
2,086+0.4% since 2020
Median rent
$1,5218% higher than Texas
Median home value
$516,90082% higher than Texas
Household income
$70,472Median
Average commute
13 minOne way
Violent crime
1,589Per 100k, 2025

What it's like to live in South Padre Island

South Padre Island sits about 20 miles from downtown Brownsville, in the Brownsville-Harlingen metro. 2,086 people lived here in 2025, up 0.4% from 2020. It is spread out.

Places locals use include Isla Blanca Park, Isla Blanca Park Pavilion and Water Tower Park.

The median age is 60.8, 3% of households have children, 70% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $70,472 a year (10% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in South Padre Island

  • Short commutes. The average trip to work takes 13 minutes, against 27 across Texas.

Cons of living in South Padre Island

  • Higher violent crime. 1,589 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, 310% higher than the Texas rate.
  • Homes are pricey for local incomes. The median home costs 7.3 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.

Who South Padre Island suits

  • FamiliesNot the best fit: violent crime is 310% higher than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 17% for families.
  • Young professionalsA reasonable fit: household income is 10% lower than the Texas median, with 130 restaurants and 9 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 83% for young professionals.
  • RetireesNot the best fit: 12% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 310% higher than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 15% for retirees.
  • Remote workersNot the best fit: 84% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $1,521 is 8% higher than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 5% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetNot the best fit: the median rent of $1,521 is 8% higher than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 2% for people on a budget.

South Padre Island report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare South Padre Island 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 D-

    Median rent $1,521, homes cost 7.3x income.

    9 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade C-

    Median household income $70,472, 5.6% unemployed.

    34 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade B

    Not enough data.

    72 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Safety: grade F

    1,589 violent crimes per 100k, 10,881 property crimes per 100k.

    0 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Errands and things to do: no grade

    4 grocery stores, 130 restaurants, 18 parks mapped in town.

    No score vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade A+

    Average commute 13 min, 31% work from home.

    99 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade B+

    53% have a bachelor’s degree.

    77 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade B

    12% of adults uninsured.

    67 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade D-

    70% of homes owner-occupied.

    12 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade D

    84% of homes have broadband.

    22 of 100 vs US towns

Where South Padre Island stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Workers who walk, bike or take transit: 32%30 points higher than Texas (2.6%)
  • Average commute: 13 min52% lower than Texas (27 min)
  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 53%19 points higher than Texas (34%)

Worse than Texas

  • Vacant homes: 71%62 points higher than Texas (9.4%)
  • Home value to income: 7.3x103% higher than Texas (3.6x)
  • Homes with broadband internet: 84%7 points lower than Texas (91%)

Cost of living in South Padre Island

Rent is the cost most newcomers feel first. The median rent in South Padre Island is $1,521 a month, 8% higher than the Texas median of $1,403. To keep that rent at 30% of income, a household needs to earn about $61,000 a year. Right now 57% 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 $516,900, 82% higher than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $2,829 before tax, or $3,354 with property tax. That is $1,833 a month more than the median rent, so renting is the cheaper monthly choice unless you plan to stay for years.

Texas has no state income tax, but property taxes are among the highest in the country. The median homeowner in South Padre Island pays $6,293 a year, 49% higher 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 South Padre IslandStudio$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 rent8% higher than Texas$1,521$1,403$1,413
Median home value82% higher than Texas$516,900$283,800$332,700
Home value to income103% higher than Texas7.3x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent5 points higher than Texas57%52%51%
Median property tax per year49% higher than Texas$6,293$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them7 points higher than Texas70%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas198419921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$3,354
Mortgage payment
$2,829
Property tax
$524
Median rent, for comparison
$1,521

Based on a $516,900 home in South Padre Island, 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 South Padre Island safe?

In 2025, South Padre Island Police Department reported 33 violent crimes and 226 property crimes. That works out to 1,589 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 310% higher than the Texas rate of 387, and 10,881 property crimes per 100,000, 422% higher than the state rate.

Violent crime is down about 24% 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 South Padre Island by yearTexas1,58920212022202320242025

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

Violent crime
1,589
per 100k, Texas 387
Property crime
10,881
per 100k, Texas 2,086
Property crimes per 100,000 people in South Padre Island by yearTexas10,88120212022202320242025

Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.

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

Daily life in South Padre Island

Everyday places mapped inside South Padre Island, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Isla Blanca Park, Isla Blanca Park Pavilion, Water Tower Park.

The average one-way commute is 13 minutes, 52% shorter than the Texas average. 31% of workers work from home. 32% walk, bike or take transit to work.

Downtown Brownsville is about 20 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in South Padre Island work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

The median household income is $70,472, income per person is $77,304, unemployment is 5.6% and 53% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
4
Pharmacies
1
Restaurants
130
Cafes
9
Bars
22
Parks
18
Gyms
5
Hospitals and urgent care
2
Childcare
0
Libraries
0

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income10% lower than Texas$70,472$78,476$80,734
Income per person90% higher than Texas$77,304$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rateAbout the same as Texas5.6%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line2 points higher than Texas16%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher19 points higher than Texas53%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher8 points higher than Texas94%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance7 points lower than Texas12%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet7 points lower than Texas84%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute52% lower than Texas13 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home17 points higher than Texas31%14%15%
Workers who work from home31%
Workers who take transit2.9%
Workers who walk26%
Workers who bike3.4%

Who lives in South Padre Island

Under 189.6%
18 to 3415%
35 to 6435%
65 and over40%

Median age 60.8 years. 3.2% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White74%
Hispanic or Latino14%
Black7.4%
Asian3.7%
Other or more than one race1.8%

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

Weather in South Padre Island

South Padre Island has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 91°F and January lows about 52°F. There are about 95 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 29 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in South Padre Island50°70°90°69J72F76M81A86M90J91J92A88S85O78N70DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Port Isabel, 9 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 South Padre Island

    Nearby, Port Isabel gets a D+, Laguna Vista gets a B+ and Laureles 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. D+Port IsabelTown, 5,111 people8 mi
    2. B+Laguna VistaTown, 3,673 people9 mi
    3. D-LaurelesTown, 4,224 people20 mi
    4. CBrownsvilleCity, 189,177 people20 mi
    5. BLos FresnosTown, 8,291 people21 mi
    6. A-South PointTown, 1,054 people21 mi

    South Padre Island 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. 10B-Combes3,178 people24 mito downtown
    5. 11C+Harlingen72,087 people20 mito downtown
    6. 12CBrownsville189,177 people0 mito downtown
    7. 13CSouth Padre Island2,891 people20 mito downtown
    8. 14CLa Paloma2,797 people13 mito downtown
    9. 15C-San Benito24,709 people15 mito downtown
    10. 16C-La Feria6,891 people25 mito downtown

    See all of the best suburbs of brownsville

    Living in South Padre Island: common questions

    Is South Padre Island, TX a good place to live?

    South Padre Island earns a grade of C on our index, 404th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on getting around and education levels, and trails on safety and cost of living. It is a strong pick for young professionals.

    How much does it cost to live in South Padre Island?

    Median rent in South Padre Island is $1,521 a month, 8% higher than the Texas median. The median home is worth $516,900, 82% higher than the Texas median. A median home costs 7.3x 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 $3,354, including property tax.

    Is South Padre Island safe?

    In 2025, South Padre Island Police Department reported 1,589 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 310% higher than the Texas rate. Property crime was 10,881 per 100,000, 422% higher than the Texas rate.

    What is the weather like in South Padre Island?

    Summers in South Padre Island peak at about 91°F in July, and January nights fall to about 52°F. Expect around 95 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 29 inches of rain.

    How long is the commute in South Padre Island?

    The average one-way commute is 13 min, 52% lower than the Texas average. About 31% of workers work from home. It is about 20 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.