Town in Hood County

Living in Tolar, TX

B-

302nd of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 59 of 100

Tolar gets an overall grade of B- and ranks 302nd of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on safety and home ownership, and trails on getting around and cost of living.

  • Low crime
  • Fast-growing
  • Getting around scores low (20 of 100)
  • 65% of renters spend 30% or more of income on rent
Map of Texas showing where Tolar isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinTolar
Where Tolar is in Texas.
Population
1,472+55.3% since 2020
Median rent
$1,70021% higher than Texas
Median home value
$198,10030% lower than Texas
Household income
$91,250Median
Average commute
29 minOne way
Violent crime
0Per 100k, 2025

What it's like to live in Tolar

Tolar is a town in Hood County. 1,472 people lived here in 2025, up 55.3% from 2020, so it is one of the faster-growing places in Texas. It is spread out, with mostly newer homes (the median home was built in 2003).

The median age is 23.7, 64% of households have children, 76% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $91,250 a year (16% higher than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Tolar

  • Low violent crime. 0 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, 100% lower than the Texas rate.
  • Homes are affordable for local incomes. The median home costs 2.2 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.
  • Growing fast. The population grew 55% from 2020 to 2025, which usually means new homes, shops and jobs.

Cons of living in Tolar

  • Higher rent. Median rent is $1,700, 21% higher than the Texas median.

Who Tolar suits

  • FamiliesA reasonable fit: violent crime is 100% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 77% for families.
  • Young professionalsNot the best fit: household income is 16% higher than the Texas median, with 5 restaurants and 1 cafe in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 31% for young professionals.
  • RetireesA reasonable fit: 12% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 100% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 70% for retirees.
  • Remote workersA reasonable fit: 93% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $1,700 is 21% higher than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 59% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetNot the best fit: the median rent of $1,700 is 21% higher than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 20% for people on a budget.

Tolar report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Tolar 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 $1,700, homes cost 2.2x income.

    30 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade C-

    Median household income $91,250, 6.7% unemployed.

    38 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade C-

    2 rated campuses, 50% rated A or B.

    38 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Safety: grade A

    0 violent crimes per 100k, 69 property crimes per 100k.

    93 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Errands and things to do: no grade

    0 grocery stores, 5 restaurants, 0 parks mapped in town.

    No score vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade D

    Average commute 29 min, 10% work from home.

    20 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade B-

    26% have a bachelor’s degree.

    61 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade D+

    12% of adults uninsured.

    31 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade A-

    76% of homes owner-occupied.

    80 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade B

    93% of homes have broadband.

    69 of 100 vs US towns

Where Tolar stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Home value to income: 2.2x40% lower than Texas (3.6x)
  • Homes owned by the people living in them: 76%13 points higher than Texas (63%)
  • Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance: 12%7 points lower than Texas (20%)

Worse than Texas

  • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 65%13 points higher than Texas (52%)
  • Median rent: $1,70021% higher than Texas ($1,403)
  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 26%8 points lower than Texas (34%)

Cost of living in Tolar

Rent is the cost most newcomers feel first. The median rent in Tolar is $1,700 a month, 21% higher than the Texas median of $1,403. To keep that rent at 30% of income, a household needs to earn about $68,000 a year. Right now 65% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $1,297 for a one-bedroom, $1,463 for a two-bedroom and $1,900 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 $198,100, 30% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $1,084 before tax, or $1,350 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 Tolar pays $3,191 a year, 25% 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 TolarStudio$1,1121 bedroom$1,2972 bedrooms$1,4633 bedrooms$1,9004 bedrooms$2,412
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Hood County, TX. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent21% higher than Texas$1,700$1,403$1,413
Median home value30% lower than Texas$198,100$283,800$332,700
Home value to income40% lower than Texas2.2x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent13 points higher than Texas65%52%51%
Median property tax per year25% lower than Texas$3,191$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them13 points higher than Texas76%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas200319921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$1,350
Mortgage payment
$1,084
Property tax
$266
Median rent, for comparison
$1,700

Based on a $198,100 home in Tolar, 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 Tolar safe?

In 2025, Tolar Police Department reported 0 violent crimes and 1 property crimes. That works out to 0 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 100% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 69 property crimes per 100,000, 97% 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 Tolar by yearTexas0202320242025

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
69
per 100k, Texas 2,086
Property crimes per 100,000 people in Tolar by yearTexas69202320242025

Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.

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

Schools in Tolar

Tolar has 2 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 Tolar 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.

Schools grade
38
of 100 vs Texas towns
Average rating
78
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

  • BTolar Junior HighMiddle, Tolar ISD88 of 100
  • DTolar ElementaryElementary, Tolar ISD68 of 100

Daily life in Tolar

Everyday places mapped inside Tolar, from Overture Maps.

The average one-way commute is 29 minutes, 8% longer than the Texas average. 10% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.

Downtown Granbury is about 8 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Tolar work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

The median household income is $91,250, income per person is $22,250, unemployment is 6.7% and 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
0
Pharmacies
0
Restaurants
5
Cafes
1
Bars
0
Parks
0
Gyms
0
Hospitals and urgent care
0
Childcare
1
Libraries
0

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income16% higher than Texas$91,250$78,476$80,734
Income per person45% lower than Texas$22,250$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate1 points higher than Texas6.7%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line3 points higher than Texas17%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher8 points lower than Texas26%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 internet2 points higher than Texas93%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute8% higher than Texas29 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home4 points lower than Texas10%14%15%
Workers who work from home10%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk0.9%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Tolar

Under 1846%
18 to 3420%
35 to 6427%
65 and over6.9%

Median age 23.7 years. 64% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White85%
Hispanic or Latino12%
Black0.9%
Asian0.1%
Other or more than one race2.7%

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

Weather in Tolar

Tolar has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 97°F and January lows about 31°F. There are about 105 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 35 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Tolar30°50°70°90°57J62F69M76A83M92J96J96A89S79O67N58DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Granbury 5n, 11 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 Tolar

    Nearby, Granbury gets a C+, Oak Trail Shores gets a D- and Canyon Creek gets an A-. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.

    1. C+GranburySmall city, 12,136 people8 mi
    2. D-Oak Trail ShoresTown, 3,040 people8 mi
    3. A-Canyon CreekTown, 1,646 people10 mi
    4. ADeCordovaTown, 3,152 people13 mi
    5. AGlen RoseTown, 2,836 people14 mi
    6. A-Pecan PlantationTown, 6,452 people15 mi

    Living in Tolar: common questions

    Is Tolar, TX a good place to live?

    Tolar gets an overall grade of B- and ranks 302nd of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on safety and home ownership, and trails on getting around and cost of living.

    How much does it cost to live in Tolar?

    Median rent in Tolar is $1,700 a month, 21% higher than the Texas median. The median home is worth $198,100, 30% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 2.2x 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 $1,350, including property tax.

    Is Tolar safe?

    In 2025, Tolar Police Department reported 0 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 100% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 69 per 100,000, 97% lower than the Texas rate.

    Are the schools good in Tolar?

    We found 2 rated public school campuses inside Tolar. 50% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 38 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

    What is the weather like in Tolar?

    Summers in Tolar peak at about 97°F in July, and January nights fall to about 31°F. Expect around 105 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 35 inches of rain.

    How long is the commute in Tolar?

    The average one-way commute is 29 min, 8% higher than the Texas average. About 10% of workers work from home. It is about 8 miles from downtown Granbury.

    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.