Small city in Hopkins County
Living in Sulphur Springs, TX
54th of 192Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people
Overall score 73 of 100
Sulphur Springs earns a grade of B+ on our index, 54th of 192 Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people. It does best on getting around and cost of living, and trails on health and home ownership. It is a strong pick for young professionals.
- Good for young professionals
- Affordable
- Short commutes
- Health scores low (13 of 100)
- Home ownership scores low (13 of 100)
- Population
- 17,054+6.9% since 2020
- Median rent
- $1,10621% lower than Texas
- Median home value
- $217,80023% lower than Texas
- Household income
- $62,397Median
- Average commute
- 17 minOne way
- Violent crime
- 93Per 100k, 2025
What it's like to live in Sulphur Springs
Sulphur Springs is a small city in Hopkins County. 17,054 people lived here in 2025, up 6.9% from 2020. It is spread out.
Places locals use include Coleman Park, Imagination Mountain and Pacific Park.
The median age is 36.5, 34% of households have children, 55% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $62,397 a year (20% lower than the Texas median).
Pros of living in Sulphur Springs
- Low violent crime. 93 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, 76% lower than the Texas rate.
- Lower rent. Median rent is $1,106, 21% lower than the Texas median.
- Short commutes. The average trip to work takes 17 minutes, against 27 across Texas.
Cons of living in Sulphur Springs
- Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of tornadoes, heat waves and hail as very high here.
Who Sulphur Springs suits
- FamiliesA reasonable fit: 63% of rated schools earn an A or B and violent crime is 76% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 60% for families.
- Young professionalsA strong fit: household income is 20% lower than the Texas median, with 115 restaurants and 8 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 84% for young professionals.
- RetireesA strong fit: 16% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 76% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 79% for retirees.
- Remote workersA reasonable fit: 93% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $1,106 is 21% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 71% for remote workers.
- People on a budgetA strong fit: the median rent of $1,106 is 21% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 78% for people on a budget.
Sulphur Springs report card
Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Sulphur Springs 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 $1,106, homes cost 3.5x income.
80 of 100 vs US citiesJobs and income: grade D+
Median household income $62,397, 5.0% unemployed.
28 of 100 vs US citiesSchools: grade C
8 rated campuses, 63% rated A or B.
47 of 100 vs TX citiesSafety: grade B+
93 violent crimes per 100k, 905 property crimes per 100k.
77 of 100 vs TX citiesErrands and things to do: grade B-
10 grocery stores, 115 restaurants, 9 parks mapped in town.
63 of 100 vs TX citiesGetting around: grade A-
Average commute 17 min, 5.9% work from home.
85 of 100 vs US citiesEducation levels: grade D
22% have a bachelor’s degree.
23 of 100 vs US citiesHealth: grade D-
16% of adults uninsured.
13 of 100 vs US citiesHome ownership: grade D-
55% of homes owner-occupied.
13 of 100 vs US citiesInternet access: grade C+
93% of homes have broadband.
51 of 100 vs US cities
Where Sulphur Springs stands out compared with Texas
Better than Texas
- Average commute: 17 min37% lower than Texas (27 min)
- Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 41%10 points lower than Texas (52%)
- Median rent: $1,10621% lower than Texas ($1,403)
Worse than Texas
- Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 22%12 points lower than Texas (34%)
- Median household income: $62,39720% lower than Texas ($78,476)
- Homes owned by the people living in them: 55%8 points lower than Texas (63%)
Cost of living in Sulphur Springs
Rent is the cost most newcomers feel first. The median rent in Sulphur Springs is $1,106 a month, 21% lower than the Texas median of $1,403. To keep that rent at 30% of income, a household needs to earn about $44,000 a year. Right now 41% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.
HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $1,020 for a one-bedroom, $1,205 for a two-bedroom and $1,607 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 $217,800, 23% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $1,192 before tax, or $1,405 with property tax. That is $299 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 it leans on property taxes instead, though they are lighter here than in much of the state. The median homeowner in Sulphur Springs pays $2,549 a year, 40% 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 Sulphur Springs
Typical rent by apartment size
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent21% lower than Texas | $1,106 | $1,403 | $1,413 |
| Median home value23% lower than Texas | $217,800 | $283,800 | $332,700 |
| Home value to income3% lower than Texas | 3.5x | 3.6x | 4.1x |
| Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent10 points lower than Texas | 41% | 52% | 51% |
| Median property tax per year40% lower than Texas | $2,549 | $4,232 | $3,119 |
| Homes owned by the people living in them8 points lower than Texas | 55% | 63% | 65% |
| Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas | 1976 | 1992 | 1980 |
Monthly cost to buy a median home
- Mortgage payment
- $1,192
- Property tax
- $212
- Median rent, for comparison
- $1,106
Based on a $217,800 home in Sulphur Springs, 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 Sulphur Springs safe?
In 2025, Sulphur Springs Police Department reported 16 violent crimes and 155 property crimes. That works out to 93 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 76% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 905 property crimes per 100,000, 57% lower than the state rate.
Violent crime is down about 27% 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 by year. The dashed line is the Texas rate for 2025.
Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Sulphur Springs Police Department, 2025. Rates count reported crimes only and cover the area this police department serves.
Schools in Sulphur Springs
Sulphur Springs has 8 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 63% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Sulphur Springs ISD.
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.
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
- BSulphur Springs High SchoolHigh, Sulphur Springs ISD88 of 100
- BTravis PriElementary, Sulphur Springs ISD87 of 100
- BDouglass EclcOther, Sulphur Springs ISD81 of 100
- BSulphur Springs ElementaryElementary, Sulphur Springs ISD81 of 100
- BRowena Johnson PriElementary, Sulphur Springs ISD80 of 100
Daily life in Sulphur Springs
Everyday places mapped inside Sulphur Springs, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Coleman Park, Imagination Mountain, Pacific Park.
The average one-way commute is 17 minutes, 37% shorter than the Texas average. 6% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.
The median household income is $62,397, income per person is $29,934, unemployment is 5.0% and 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.
Jobs, income and education
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income20% lower than Texas | $62,397 | $78,476 | $80,734 |
| Income per person27% lower than Texas | $29,934 | $40,752 | $44,673 |
| Unemployment rateAbout the same as Texas | 5.0% | 5.3% | 5.2% |
| People below the poverty lineAbout the same as Texas | 15% | 14% | 12% |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher12 points lower than Texas | 22% | 34% | 36% |
| Adults with a high school diploma or higher2 points higher than Texas | 88% | 86% | 90% |
| Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance3 points lower than Texas | 16% | 20% | 11% |
| Homes with broadband internet1 points higher than Texas | 93% | 91% | 91% |
Getting to work
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average commute37% lower than Texas | 17 min | 27 min | 26 min |
| Workers who work from home8 points lower than Texas | 5.9% | 14% | 15% |
Who lives in Sulphur Springs
Median age 36.5 years. 34% of households have children.
Race and ethnicity
Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.
Weather in Sulphur Springs
Sulphur Springs has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 94°F and January lows about 34°F. There are about 94 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 47 inches of rain a year.
Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Sulphur Springs, 2 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 moderate, tornado risk is very high and hail risk is very high. Even in lower-risk areas, check the FEMA flood map for the exact address before you buy.
- River floodingLow
- HurricanesModerate
- TornadoesVery high
- HailVery high
- Heat wavesVery high
- WildfiresModerate
- Winter stormsHigh
- Strong windVery high
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 Sulphur Springs
Nearby, Cooper gets a D-, Commerce gets a D- and Emory 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.
Living in Sulphur Springs: common questions
Is Sulphur Springs, TX a good place to live?
Sulphur Springs earns a grade of B+ on our index, 54th of 192 Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people. It does best on getting around and cost of living, and trails on health and home ownership. It is a strong pick for young professionals.
How much does it cost to live in Sulphur Springs?
Median rent in Sulphur Springs is $1,106 a month, 21% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $217,800, 23% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 3.5x 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 $1,405, including property tax.
Is Sulphur Springs safe?
In 2025, Sulphur Springs Police Department reported 93 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 76% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 905 per 100,000, 57% lower than the Texas rate.
Are the schools good in Sulphur Springs?
We found 8 rated public school campuses inside Sulphur Springs. 63% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 47 of 100 compared with other Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people.
Does Sulphur Springs flood?
FEMA rates river flooding risk in Sulphur Springs as low, and coastal flooding as not rated. Hazards rated high or very high here: tornadoes, heat waves, hail, winter storms and strong wind. Always check the flood map for a specific address before you buy.
What is the weather like in Sulphur Springs?
Summers in Sulphur Springs peak at about 94°F in July, and January nights fall to about 34°F. Expect around 94 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 47 inches of rain.
How long is the commute in Sulphur Springs?
The average one-way commute is 17 min, 37% lower than the Texas average. About 5.9% of workers work from home.
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.