Town in Hockley County, part of the Lubbock metro
Living in Sundown, TX
82nd of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 88 of 100
3rd of 14 in the Lubbock area
Sundown earns a grade of A on our index, 82nd of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and schools, and trails on jobs and income and health. It is a strong pick for families, remote workers and people on a budget.
- Good for families
- Good for remote workers
- Good for people on a budget
- Top-rated schools
- Affordable
- Jobs and income scores low (16 of 100)
- Population
- 1,317+2.3% since 2020
- Median rent
- $67552% lower than Texas
- Median home value
- $96,40066% lower than Texas
- Household income
- $58,594Median
- Average commute
- 21 minOne way
- Violent crime
- No dataNo full-year report
What it's like to live in Sundown
Sundown sits about 35 miles from downtown Lubbock, in the Lubbock metro. 1,317 people lived here in 2025, up 2.3% from 2020. It is spread out.
Places locals use include Park Street Park and Sunset Park.
The median age is 37.0, 40% of households have children, 74% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $58,594 a year (25% lower than the Texas median).
Pros of living in Sundown
- Strong public schools. 100% of the 3 rated campuses here earn an A or B from the Texas Education Agency.
- Lower rent. Median rent is $675, 52% lower than the Texas median.
- Homes are affordable for local incomes. The median home costs 1.6 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.
- Short commutes. The average trip to work takes 21 minutes, against 27 across Texas.
Cons of living in Sundown
- Higher unemployment. 14% of the labor force is out of work, against 5.3% statewide.
Who Sundown suits
- FamiliesA reasonable fit: 100% of rated schools earn an A or B. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 94% for families.
- Young professionalsA reasonable fit: household income is 25% lower than the Texas median, with 3 restaurants and 0 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 78% for young professionals.
- Remote workersA reasonable fit: 90% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $675 is 52% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 90% for remote workers.
- People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $675 is 52% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 87% for people on a budget.
Sundown report card
Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Sundown 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 $675, homes cost 1.6x income.
95 of 100 vs US townsJobs and income: grade D
Median household income $58,594, 14% unemployed.
16 of 100 vs US townsSchools: grade A
3 rated campuses, 100% rated A or B.
91 of 100 vs TX townsSafety: no grade
No full year of crime data from local police.
No score vs TX townsErrands and things to do: no grade
2 grocery stores, 3 restaurants, 2 parks mapped in town.
No score vs TX townsGetting around: grade B+
Average commute 21 min, 0% work from home.
78 of 100 vs US townsEducation levels: grade C-
25% have a bachelor’s degree.
35 of 100 vs US townsHealth: grade D
21% of adults uninsured.
24 of 100 vs US townsHome ownership: grade C+
74% of homes owner-occupied.
55 of 100 vs US townsInternet access: grade C+
90% of homes have broadband.
52 of 100 vs US towns
Where Sundown stands out compared with Texas
Better than Texas
- Home value to income: 1.6x55% lower than Texas (3.6x)
- Median rent: $67552% lower than Texas ($1,403)
- Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 38%14 points lower than Texas (52%)
Worse than Texas
- Median household income: $58,59425% lower than Texas ($78,476)
- Unemployment rate: 14%9 points higher than Texas (5.3%)
- Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 25%9 points lower than Texas (34%)
Cost of living in Sundown
Rent is the cost most newcomers feel first. The median rent in Sundown is $675 a month, 52% lower than the Texas median of $1,403. To keep that rent at 30% of income, a household needs to earn about $27,000 a year. Right now 38% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.
HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $868 for a one-bedroom, $1,014 for a two-bedroom and $1,404 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 $96,400, 66% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $528 before tax, or $630 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 Sundown pays $1,228 a year, 71% 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
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent52% lower than Texas | $675 | $1,403 | $1,413 |
| Median home value66% lower than Texas | $96,400 | $283,800 | $332,700 |
| Home value to income55% lower than Texas | 1.6x | 3.6x | 4.1x |
| Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent14 points lower than Texas | 38% | 52% | 51% |
| Median property tax per year71% lower than Texas | $1,228 | $4,232 | $3,119 |
| Homes owned by the people living in them12 points higher than Texas | 74% | 63% | 65% |
| Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas | 1986 | 1992 | 1980 |
Monthly cost to buy a median home
- Mortgage payment
- $528
- Property tax
- $102
- Median rent, for comparison
- $675
Based on a $96,400 home in Sundown, 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.
Schools in Sundown
Sundown has 3 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 100% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Sundown ISD.
Top-rated campuses include Sundown Elementary and Sundown High School. The average rating score across all campuses is 90 out of 100, against a Texas median of 81.
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
- ASundown ElementaryElementary, Sundown ISD93 of 100
- ASundown High SchoolHigh, Sundown ISD90 of 100
- BSundown Junior HighMiddle, Sundown ISD88 of 100
Daily life in Sundown
Everyday places mapped inside Sundown, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Park Street Park, Sunset Park.
The average one-way commute is 21 minutes, 20% shorter than the Texas average. 0% of workers work from home. 3.5% walk, bike or take transit to work.
Downtown Lubbock is about 35 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Sundown work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.
The median household income is $58,594, income per person is $29,766, unemployment is 14% and 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.
Jobs, income and education
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income25% lower than Texas | $58,594 | $78,476 | $80,734 |
| Income per person27% lower than Texas | $29,766 | $40,752 | $44,673 |
| Unemployment rate9 points higher than Texas | 14% | 5.3% | 5.2% |
| People below the poverty lineAbout the same as Texas | 15% | 14% | 12% |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher9 points lower than Texas | 25% | 34% | 36% |
| Adults with a high school diploma or higher2 points lower than Texas | 84% | 86% | 90% |
| Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance1 points higher than Texas | 21% | 20% | 11% |
| Homes with broadband internetAbout the same as Texas | 90% | 91% | 91% |
Getting to work
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average commute20% lower than Texas | 21 min | 27 min | 26 min |
| Workers who work from home14 points lower than Texas | 0% | 14% | 15% |
Who lives in Sundown
Median age 37.0 years. 40% of households have children.
Race and ethnicity
Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.
Weather in Sundown
Sundown has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 92°F and January lows about 25°F. There are about 87 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 18 inches of rain a year.
Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Levelland, 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 Sundown
Nearby, Levelland gets a D+, Brownfield gets a D and Morton 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.
Sundown in the Lubbock area
How it ranks among 14 places in the metro.
- 1A+Ransom Canyon1,041 people12 mito downtown
- 2AShallowater2,955 people11 mito downtown
- 3ASundown1,374 people35 mito downtown
- 4A-Wolfforth6,701 people8 mito downtown
- 5BAnton1,053 people23 mito downtown
- 6B-Idalou2,151 people14 mito downtown
Living in Sundown: common questions
Is Sundown, TX a good place to live?
Sundown earns a grade of A on our index, 82nd of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and schools, and trails on jobs and income and health. It is a strong pick for families, remote workers and people on a budget.
How much does it cost to live in Sundown?
Median rent in Sundown is $675 a month, 52% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $96,400, 66% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 1.6x 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 $630, including property tax.
Are the schools good in Sundown?
We found 3 rated public school campuses inside Sundown. 100% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 91 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.
What is the weather like in Sundown?
Summers in Sundown peak at about 92°F in July, and January nights fall to about 25°F. Expect around 87 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 18 inches of rain.
How long is the commute in Sundown?
The average one-way commute is 21 min, 20% lower than the Texas average. About 0% of workers work from home. It is about 35 miles from downtown Lubbock.
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.