Town in El Paso County, part of the El Paso metro

Living in Tornillo, TX

F

716th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 4 of 100
16th of 16 in the El Paso area

We give Tornillo an F. It ranks 716th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on home ownership and schools, and trails on education levels and health.

  • Jobs and income scores low (9 of 100)
  • Errands and things to do scores low (3 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Tornillo isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthTornillo
Where Tornillo is in Texas.
Population
1,341
Median rent
No data
Median home value
$77,30073% lower than Texas
Household income
$50,119Median
Average commute
28 minOne way
Violent crime
No dataNo full-year report

What it's like to live in Tornillo

Tornillo sits about 34 miles from downtown El Paso, in the El Paso metro. About 1,341 people live here. It is small-town and rural in feel.

The median age is 41.6, 34% of households have children, 89% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $50,119 a year (36% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Tornillo

  • Homes are affordable for local incomes. The median home costs 1.5 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.

Cons of living in Tornillo

  • Higher poverty. 32% of people live below the poverty line, against 14% across Texas.
  • Errands mean a drive. Compared with similar Texas places, fewer homes here are within a mile of a grocery store, pharmacy, park or clinic.
  • Many adults uninsured. 43% of adults 18 to 64 have no health insurance, against 20% statewide.
  • Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of hail as very high here.
  • Long, hot summers. Expect about 110 days a year at 90°F or hotter.

Who Tornillo suits

  • FamiliesNot the best fit. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 29% for families.
  • Young professionalsNot the best fit: household income is 36% lower than the Texas median, with 5 restaurants and 0 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 1% for young professionals.
  • RetireesNot the best fit: 43% of working-age adults are uninsured. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 2% for retirees.
  • Remote workersNot the best fit: 85% of homes have broadband. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 6% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetNot the best fit. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 34% for people on a budget.

Tornillo report card

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

    Homes cost 1.5x income.

    47 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade D-

    Median household income $50,119, 6.6% unemployed.

    9 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade C+

    Not enough data.

    52 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Safety: no grade

    No full year of crime data from local police.

    No score vs TX towns

  • Errands and things to do: grade F

    1 grocery store, 5 restaurants, 0 parks mapped in town.

    3 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade D-

    Average commute 28 min, 4.7% work from home.

    9 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade F

    7.1% have a bachelor’s degree.

    1 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade F

    43% of adults uninsured.

    2 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade B+

    89% of homes owner-occupied.

    73 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade D+

    85% of homes have broadband.

    26 of 100 vs US towns

Where Tornillo stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Homes owned by the people living in them: 89%27 points higher than Texas (63%)
  • Home value to income: 1.5x57% lower than Texas (3.6x)

Worse than Texas

  • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 100%48 points higher than Texas (52%)
  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 7.1%27 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance: 43%23 points higher than Texas (20%)

Cost of living in Tornillo

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $969 for a one-bedroom, $1,146 for a two-bedroom and $1,559 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 $77,300, 73% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $423 before tax, or $512 with property tax.

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 Tornillo pays $1,067 a year, 75% 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 TornilloStudio$7981 bedroom$9692 bedrooms$1,1463 bedrooms$1,5594 bedrooms$1,915
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, El Paso, TX HUD Metro FMR Area. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median home value73% lower than Texas$77,300$283,800$332,700
Home value to income57% lower than Texas1.5x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent48 points higher than Texas100%52%51%
Median property tax per year75% lower than Texas$1,067$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them27 points higher than Texas89%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas199219921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$512
Mortgage payment
$423
Property tax
$89

Based on a $77,300 home in Tornillo, 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.

Daily life in Tornillo

Everyday places mapped inside Tornillo, from Overture Maps.

The average one-way commute is 28 minutes, 6% longer than the Texas average. 5% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.

Downtown El Paso is about 34 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Tornillo work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

The median household income is $50,119, income per person is $18,814, unemployment is 6.6% and 7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

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

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income36% lower than Texas$50,119$78,476$80,734
Income per person54% lower than Texas$18,814$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate1 points higher than Texas6.6%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line18 points higher than Texas32%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher27 points lower than Texas7.1%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher38 points lower than Texas48%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance23 points higher than Texas43%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet6 points lower than Texas85%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute6% higher than Texas28 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home10 points lower than Texas4.7%14%15%
Workers who work from home4.7%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk0%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Tornillo

Under 1819%
18 to 3428%
35 to 6431%
65 and over22%

Median age 41.6 years. 34% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White0%
Hispanic or Latino100%
Black0%
Asian0%
Other or more than one race0%

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

Weather in Tornillo

Tornillo has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 95°F and January lows about 29°F. There are about 110 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 8 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Tornillo20°40°60°80°100°61J67F75M82A91M98J95J94A89S81O70N60DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Tornillo 2 Sse, 4 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 low, tornado risk is very low 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
  • HurricanesLow
  • TornadoesVery low
  • HailVery high
  • Heat wavesModerate
  • WildfiresModerate
  • 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 Tornillo

Nearby, Fabens gets a C-, Clint gets a D+ and San Elizario 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.

  1. C-FabensTown, 4,818 people6 mi
  2. D+ClintTown, 1,258 people13 mi
  3. D-San ElizarioSmall city, 10,116 people14 mi
  4. D+Agua DulceTown, 2,697 people15 mi
  5. C-SocorroSmall city, 37,123 people17 mi
  6. C+Horizon CitySmall city, 23,668 people17 mi

Tornillo in the El Paso area

How it ranks among 16 places in the metro.

  1. 1BVinton2,585 people12 mito downtown
  2. 2C+El Paso680,130 people0 mito downtown
  3. 3C+Horizon City23,668 people18 mito downtown
  4. 13D-San Elizario10,116 people21 mito downtown
  5. 14D-Homestead Meadows South6,660 people16 mito downtown
  6. 15D-Homestead Meadows North5,795 people15 mito downtown
  7. 16FTornillo1,341 people34 mito downtown

See all of the best suburbs of el paso

Living in Tornillo: common questions

Is Tornillo, TX a good place to live?

We give Tornillo an F. It ranks 716th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on home ownership and schools, and trails on education levels and health.

How much does it cost to live in Tornillo?

The median home is worth $77,300, 73% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 1.5x 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 $512, including property tax.

Does Tornillo flood?

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

What is the weather like in Tornillo?

Summers in Tornillo peak at about 95°F in July, and January nights fall to about 29°F. Expect around 110 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 8 inches of rain.

How long is the commute in Tornillo?

The average one-way commute is 28 min, 6% higher than the Texas average. About 4.7% of workers work from home. It is about 34 miles from downtown El Paso.

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.