Town in Moore County

Living in Sunray, TX

B

248th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 66 of 100

Sunray earns a grade of B on our index, 248th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on safety and schools, and trails on health and education levels.

  • Short commutes
  • Education levels scores low (19 of 100)
  • Health scores low (15 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Sunray isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthSunray
Where Sunray is in Texas.
Population
1,739+1.7% since 2020
Median rent
$97231% lower than Texas
Median home value
$132,00053% lower than Texas
Household income
$66,488Median
Average commute
16 minOne way
Violent crime
0Per 100k, 2025

What it's like to live in Sunray

Sunray is a town in Moore County. 1,739 people lived here in 2025, up 1.7% from 2020. It is spread out.

Places locals use include Painter Park, Sunray Park and Britain Memorial Library.

The median age is 32.6, 38% of households have children, 84% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $66,488 a year (15% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Sunray

  • Low violent crime. 0 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, 100% lower than the Texas rate.
  • Lower rent. Median rent is $972, 31% 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.
  • Short commutes. The average trip to work takes 16 minutes, against 27 across Texas.

Cons of living in Sunray

  • Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of hail, wildfires and winter storms as very high here.

Who Sunray suits

  • FamiliesA reasonable fit: 67% of rated schools earn an A or B and violent crime is 100% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 70% for families.
  • Young professionalsA reasonable fit: household income is 15% lower than the Texas median, with 4 restaurants and 1 cafe in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 57% for young professionals.
  • RetireesA reasonable fit: 24% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 100% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 51% for retirees.
  • Remote workersNot the best fit: 87% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $972 is 31% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 25% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $972 is 31% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 46% for people on a budget.

Sunray report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Sunray 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 C

    Median rent $972, homes cost 2.0x income.

    47 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade B-

    Median household income $66,488, 2.8% unemployed.

    61 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade B-

    3 rated campuses, 67% rated A or B.

    64 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Safety: grade B+

    0 violent crimes per 100k, 631 property crimes per 100k.

    80 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Errands and things to do: grade C-

    0 grocery stores, 4 restaurants, 3 parks mapped in town.

    39 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade C+

    Average commute 16 min, 9.2% work from home.

    54 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade D

    21% have a bachelor’s degree.

    19 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade D-

    24% of adults uninsured.

    15 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade C

    84% of homes owner-occupied.

    42 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade C-

    87% of homes have broadband.

    33 of 100 vs US towns

Where Sunray stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Homes owned by the people living in them: 84%21 points higher than Texas (63%)
  • Home value to income: 2.0x45% lower than Texas (3.6x)
  • Average commute: 16 min41% lower than Texas (27 min)

Worse than Texas

  • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 76%24 points higher than Texas (52%)
  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 21%13 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • Vacant homes: 21%12 points higher than Texas (9.4%)

Cost of living in Sunray

Rent is the cost most newcomers feel first. The median rent in Sunray is $972 a month, 31% lower than the Texas median of $1,403. To keep that rent at 30% of income, a household needs to earn about $39,000 a year. Right now 76% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $818 for a one-bedroom, $1,070 for a two-bedroom and $1,348 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 $132,000, 53% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $723 before tax, or $852 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 Sunray pays $1,558 a year, 63% 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 SunrayStudio$8131 bedroom$8182 bedrooms$1,0703 bedrooms$1,3484 bedrooms$1,788
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Moore County, TX. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent31% lower than Texas$972$1,403$1,413
Median home value53% lower than Texas$132,000$283,800$332,700
Home value to income45% lower than Texas2.0x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent24 points higher than Texas76%52%51%
Median property tax per year63% lower than Texas$1,558$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them21 points higher than Texas84%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas197219921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$852
Mortgage payment
$723
Property tax
$130
Median rent, for comparison
$972

Based on a $132,000 home in Sunray, 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 Sunray safe?

In 2025, Sunray Police Department reported 0 violent crimes and 11 property crimes. That works out to 0 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 100% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 631 property crimes per 100,000, 70% lower than the state rate.

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 Sunray by yearTexas020212022202320242025

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

Violent crime
0
per 100k, Texas 387
Property crime
631
per 100k, Texas 2,086
Property crimes per 100,000 people in Sunray by yearTexas63120212022202320242025

Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.

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

Schools in Sunray

Sunray has 3 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 67% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Sunray Collegiate ISD.

Top-rated campuses include Sunray High School. The average rating score across all campuses is 83 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.

Schools grade
64
of 100 vs Texas towns
Average rating
83
Texas median 81

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

  • ASunray High SchoolHigh, Sunray Collegiate ISD95 of 100
  • BSunray MiddleMiddle, Sunray Collegiate ISD87 of 100
  • DSunray ElementaryElementary, Sunray Collegiate ISD67 of 100

Daily life in Sunray

Everyday places mapped inside Sunray, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Painter Park, Sunray Park, Britain Memorial Library.

The average one-way commute is 16 minutes, 41% shorter than the Texas average. 9% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.

Downtown Dumas is about 13 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Sunray work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

The median household income is $66,488, income per person is $26,172, unemployment is 2.8% and 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

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

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income15% lower than Texas$66,488$78,476$80,734
Income per person36% lower than Texas$26,172$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate2 points lower than Texas2.8%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line6 points lower than Texas8.2%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher13 points lower than Texas21%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher18 points lower than Texas68%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance4 points higher than Texas24%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet5 points lower than Texas87%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute41% lower than Texas16 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home5 points lower than Texas9.2%14%15%
Workers who work from home9.2%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk0%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Sunray

Under 1834%
18 to 3421%
35 to 6440%
65 and over4.9%

Median age 32.6 years. 38% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White34%
Hispanic or Latino65%
Black0%
Asian0.5%
Other or more than one race0.3%

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

Weather in Sunray

Sunray has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 92°F and January lows about 22°F. There are about 73 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 18 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Sunray20°40°60°80°100°49J53F62M70A79M89J92J90A83S72O59N49DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Dumas, 13 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.

Natural hazard risk

FEMA's National Risk Index says river flooding risk is very low, hurricane risk is very low, tornado risk is 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 floodingVery low
  • HurricanesVery low
  • TornadoesHigh
  • HailVery high
  • Heat wavesVery low
  • WildfiresVery high
  • Winter stormsVery high
  • 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 Sunray

Nearby, Cactus gets a B-, Dumas gets a B+ and Stinnett 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. B-CactusTown, 3,091 people10 mi
  2. B+DumasSmall city, 14,452 people14 mi
  3. B-StinnettTown, 1,170 people25 mi
  4. AStratfordTown, 1,326 people26 mi
  5. A+GruverTown, 1,280 people29 mi
  6. B+FritchTown, 2,293 people29 mi

Living in Sunray: common questions

Is Sunray, TX a good place to live?

Sunray earns a grade of B on our index, 248th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on safety and schools, and trails on health and education levels.

How much does it cost to live in Sunray?

Median rent in Sunray is $972 a month, 31% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $132,000, 53% 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 $852, including property tax.

Is Sunray safe?

In 2025, Sunray Police Department reported 0 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 100% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 631 per 100,000, 70% lower than the Texas rate.

Are the schools good in Sunray?

We found 3 rated public school campuses inside Sunray. 67% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 64 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

Does Sunray flood?

FEMA rates river flooding risk in Sunray as very low, and coastal flooding as not rated. Hazards rated high or very high here: tornadoes, hail, wildfires, winter storms and strong wind. Always check the flood map for a specific address before you buy.

What is the weather like in Sunray?

Summers in Sunray peak at about 92°F in July, and January nights fall to about 22°F. Expect around 73 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 18 inches of rain.

How long is the commute in Sunray?

The average one-way commute is 16 min, 41% lower than the Texas average. About 9.2% of workers work from home. It is about 13 miles from downtown Dumas.

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.