Small city in Williamson County, part of the Austin metro
Living in Taylor, TX
113th of 192Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people
Overall score 41 of 100
38th of 58 in the Austin area
Taylor gets an overall grade of C and ranks 113th of 192 Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people. It does best on home ownership and errands and things to do, and trails on health and education levels.
- Fast-growing
- Education levels scores low (15 of 100)
- Health scores low (10 of 100)
- Population
- 18,402+12.9% since 2020
- Median rent
- $1,07423% lower than Texas
- Median home value
- $285,800about the same as Texas
- Household income
- $75,508Median
- Average commute
- 30 minOne way
- Violent crime
- 274Per 100k, 2025
What it's like to live in Taylor
Taylor sits about 27 miles from downtown Austin, in the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos metro. 18,402 people lived here in 2025, up 12.9% from 2020, so it is one of the faster-growing places in Texas. It is spread out.
Local spots people know include Murphy Park, Bull Branch Park and Fannie Robinson Park.
The median age is 41.1, 27% of households have children, 75% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $75,508 a year (about the same as the Texas median).
Pros of living in Taylor
- Lower rent. Median rent is $1,074, 23% lower than the Texas median.
Cons of living in Taylor
- Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of hail as very high here.
- Long, hot summers. Expect about 115 days a year at 90°F or hotter.
Who Taylor suits
- FamiliesA reasonable fit: 50% of rated schools earn an A or B and violent crime is 29% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 42% for families.
- Young professionalsA reasonable fit: household income is about the same as the Texas median, with 80 restaurants and 8 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 46% for young professionals.
- RetireesNot the best fit: 22% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 29% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 27% for retirees.
- Remote workersA reasonable fit: 92% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $1,074 is 23% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 46% for remote workers.
- People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $1,074 is 23% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 42% for people on a budget.
Taylor report card
Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Taylor 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 C+
Median rent $1,074, homes cost 3.8x income.
52 of 100 vs US citiesJobs and income: grade C+
Median household income $75,508, 4.1% unemployed.
56 of 100 vs US citiesSchools: grade C
6 rated campuses, 50% rated A or B.
43 of 100 vs TX citiesSafety: grade C-
274 violent crimes per 100k, 1,490 property crimes per 100k.
37 of 100 vs TX citiesErrands and things to do: grade B-
6 grocery stores, 80 restaurants, 26 parks mapped in town.
59 of 100 vs TX citiesGetting around: grade D+
Average commute 30 min, 14% work from home.
24 of 100 vs US citiesEducation levels: grade D-
20% have a bachelor’s degree.
15 of 100 vs US citiesHealth: grade D-
22% of adults uninsured.
10 of 100 vs US citiesHome ownership: grade B-
75% of homes owner-occupied.
61 of 100 vs US citiesInternet access: grade C
92% of homes have broadband.
41 of 100 vs US cities
Where Taylor stands out compared with Texas
Better than Texas
- Homes owned by the people living in them: 75%12 points higher than Texas (63%)
- Median rent: $1,07423% lower than Texas ($1,403)
- People below the poverty line: 7.7%6 points lower than Texas (14%)
Worse than Texas
- Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 20%13 points lower than Texas (34%)
- Average commute: 30 min14% higher than Texas (27 min)
- Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 57%5 points higher than Texas (52%)
Cost of living in Taylor
Taylor renters pay a median of $1,074 a month, 23% lower than the statewide median. The usual rule is to spend no more than 30% of income on rent, which means earning around $43,000 a year for a median unit. Right now 57% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.
HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $1,530 for a one-bedroom, $1,817 for a two-bedroom and $2,292 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 $285,800, about the same as the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $1,564 before tax, or $1,934 with property tax. That is $860 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 Taylor pays $4,438 a year, 5% 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 Taylor
Typical rent by apartment size
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent23% lower than Texas | $1,074 | $1,403 | $1,413 |
| Median home valueAbout the same as Texas | $285,800 | $283,800 | $332,700 |
| Home value to income5% higher than Texas | 3.8x | 3.6x | 4.1x |
| Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent5 points higher than Texas | 57% | 52% | 51% |
| Median property tax per year5% higher than Texas | $4,438 | $4,232 | $3,119 |
| Homes owned by the people living in them12 points higher than Texas | 75% | 63% | 65% |
| Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas | 1979 | 1992 | 1980 |
Monthly cost to buy a median home
- Mortgage payment
- $1,564
- Property tax
- $370
- Median rent, for comparison
- $1,074
Based on a $285,800 home in Taylor, 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 Taylor safe?
In 2025, Taylor Police Department reported 50 violent crimes and 272 property crimes. That works out to 274 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 29% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 1,490 property crimes per 100,000, 29% lower than the state rate.
Violent crime has been fairly steady since 2021.
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, Taylor Police Department, 2025. Rates count reported crimes only and cover the area this police department serves.
Schools in Taylor
Taylor has 6 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 50% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Taylor ISD.
Top-rated campuses include Legacy Early College High School. The average rating score across all campuses is 79 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
- ALegacy Early College High SchoolHigh, Taylor ISD97 of 100
- BMain Street ElementaryElementary, Taylor ISD80 of 100
- BTh Johnson ElementaryOther, Taylor ISD80 of 100
- CNaomi Pasemann ElementaryElementary, Taylor ISD76 of 100
- CTaylor High SchoolHigh, Taylor ISD74 of 100
Daily life in Taylor
Everyday places mapped inside Taylor, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Murphy Park, Bull Branch Park, Fannie Robinson Park.
The average one-way commute is 30 minutes, 14% longer than the Texas average. 14% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.
Downtown Austin is about 27 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Taylor work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.
The median household income is $75,508, income per person is $36,996, unemployment is 4.1% and 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.
Jobs, income and education
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income4% lower than Texas | $75,508 | $78,476 | $80,734 |
| Income per person9% lower than Texas | $36,996 | $40,752 | $44,673 |
| Unemployment rate1 points lower than Texas | 4.1% | 5.3% | 5.2% |
| People below the poverty line6 points lower than Texas | 7.7% | 14% | 12% |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher13 points lower than Texas | 20% | 34% | 36% |
| Adults with a high school diploma or higherAbout the same as Texas | 85% | 86% | 90% |
| Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance2 points higher than Texas | 22% | 20% | 11% |
| Homes with broadband internetAbout the same as Texas | 92% | 91% | 91% |
Getting to work
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average commute14% higher than Texas | 30 min | 27 min | 26 min |
| Workers who work from homeAbout the same as Texas | 14% | 14% | 15% |
Who lives in Taylor
Median age 41.1 years. 27% of households have children.
Race and ethnicity
Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.
Weather in Taylor
Taylor has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 95°F and January lows about 37°F. There are about 115 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 37 inches of rain a year.
Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Taylor 1nw, 1 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 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
- TornadoesHigh
- HailVery high
- Heat wavesModerate
- WildfiresHigh
- Winter stormsHigh
- Strong windLow
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 Taylor
Nearby, Hutto gets a B+, Granger gets a D+ and Thorndale 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.
Taylor in the Austin area
How it ranks among 58 places in the metro.
- 1A+The Hills2,516 people14 mito downtown
- 2A+Rollingwood1,316 people3 mito downtown
- 3A+Brushy Creek19,576 people15 mito downtown
- 35C+Elgin11,563 people22 mito downtown
- 36C+Georgetown85,999 people26 mito downtown
- 37CJarrell3,295 people36 mito downtown
- 38CTaylor17,136 people27 mito downtown
- 39C-Woodcreek2,333 people28 mito downtown
- 40C-Circle D-KC Estates3,135 people32 mito downtown
- 41C-Wimberley2,891 people30 mito downtown
Living in Taylor: common questions
Is Taylor, TX a good place to live?
Taylor gets an overall grade of C and ranks 113th of 192 Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people. It does best on home ownership and errands and things to do, and trails on health and education levels.
How much does it cost to live in Taylor?
Renters in Taylor pay a median of $1,074 a month, 23% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $285,800, about the same as the Texas median. A median home costs 3.8x 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 $1,934, including property tax.
Is Taylor safe?
In 2025, Taylor Police Department reported 274 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 29% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 1,490 per 100,000, 29% lower than the Texas rate.
Are the schools good in Taylor?
We found 6 rated public school campuses inside Taylor. 50% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 43 of 100 compared with other Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people.
Does Taylor flood?
FEMA rates river flooding risk in Taylor as low, and coastal flooding as not rated. Hazards rated high or very high here: tornadoes, hail, wildfires and winter storms. Always check the flood map for a specific address before you buy.
What is the weather like in Taylor?
Summers in Taylor peak at about 95°F in July, and January nights fall to about 37°F. Expect around 115 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 37 inches of rain.
How long is the commute in Taylor?
The average one-way commute is 30 min, 14% higher than the Texas average. About 14% of workers work from home. It is about 27 miles from downtown Austin.
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.