Town in Culberson County

Living in Van Horn, TX

B

208th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 72 of 100

We give Van Horn a B. It ranks 208th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and schools, and trails on internet access and health. It is a strong pick for people on a budget.

  • Good for people on a budget
  • Affordable
  • Short commutes
  • Education levels scores low (19 of 100)
  • Health scores low (14 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Van Horn isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthVan Horn
Where Van Horn is in Texas.
Population
2,020+4.7% since 2020
Median rent
$1,04326% lower than Texas
Median home value
$94,30067% lower than Texas
Household income
$59,707Median
Average commute
16 minOne way
Violent crime
No dataNo full-year report

What it's like to live in Van Horn

Van Horn is a town in Culberson County. 2,020 people lived here in 2025, up 4.7% from 2020. It is small-town and rural in feel.

Local spots people know include Rivas Park, Van Horn City Park and Van Horn City County Library.

The median age is 39.8, 28% of households have children, 67% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $59,707 a year (24% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Van Horn

  • Lower rent. Median rent is $1,043, 26% 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 16 minutes, against 27 across Texas.

Cons of living in Van Horn

  • Higher poverty. 21% of people live below the poverty line, against 14% across Texas.
  • Many adults uninsured. 34% of adults 18 to 64 have no health insurance, against 20% statewide.
  • Spotty home internet. Only 70% of homes have a broadband plan.

Who Van Horn suits

  • FamiliesA reasonable fit. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 75% for families.
  • Young professionalsA reasonable fit: household income is 24% lower than the Texas median, with 13 restaurants and 2 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 70% for young professionals.
  • Remote workersNot the best fit: 70% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $1,043 is 26% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 26% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $1,043 is 26% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 89% for people on a budget.

Van Horn report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Van Horn 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 $1,043, homes cost 1.6x income.

    92 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade C

    Median household income $59,707, 1.4% unemployed.

    43 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade A-

    1 rated campuses, 100% rated A or B.

    81 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: no grade

    1 grocery store, 13 restaurants, 3 parks mapped in town.

    No score vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade C+

    Average commute 16 min, 2.1% work from home.

    53 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade D

    20% have a bachelor’s degree.

    19 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade D-

    34% of adults uninsured.

    14 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade D-

    67% of homes owner-occupied.

    16 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade F

    70% of homes have broadband.

    3 of 100 vs US towns

Where Van Horn stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 8.3%43 points lower than Texas (52%)
  • Home value to income: 1.6x56% lower than Texas (3.6x)
  • Average commute: 16 min39% lower than Texas (27 min)

Worse than Texas

  • Homes with broadband internet: 70%21 points lower than Texas (91%)
  • Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance: 34%14 points higher than Texas (20%)
  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 20%14 points lower than Texas (34%)

Cost of living in Van Horn

Van Horn renters pay a median of $1,043 a month, 26% lower than the statewide median. The usual rule is to spend no more than 30% of income on rent, which means earning around $42,000 a year for a median unit. Right now 8% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $858 for a one-bedroom, $1,078 for a two-bedroom and $1,393 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 $94,300, 67% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $516 before tax, or $586 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 Van Horn pays $842 a year, 80% 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 Van HornStudio$8191 bedroom$8582 bedrooms$1,0783 bedrooms$1,3934 bedrooms$1,553
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Culberson County, TX. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent26% lower than Texas$1,043$1,403$1,413
Median home value67% lower than Texas$94,300$283,800$332,700
Home value to income56% lower than Texas1.6x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent43 points lower than Texas8.3%52%51%
Median property tax per year80% lower than Texas$842$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them5 points higher than Texas67%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas197219921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$586
Mortgage payment
$516
Property tax
$70
Median rent, for comparison
$1,043

Based on a $94,300 home in Van Horn, 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 Van Horn

Van Horn has 1 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 Culberson County-Allamoore 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
81
of 100 vs Texas towns
Average rating
87
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

  • BVan Horn SchoolOther, Culberson County-Allamoore ISD87 of 100

Daily life in Van Horn

Everyday places mapped inside Van Horn, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Rivas Park, Van Horn City Park, Van Horn City County Library.

The average one-way commute is 16 minutes, 39% shorter than the Texas average. 2% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.

The median household income is $59,707, income per person is $26,066, unemployment is 1.4% and 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
1
Pharmacies
0
Restaurants
13
Cafes
2
Bars
4
Parks
3
Gyms
1
Hospitals and urgent care
1
Childcare
0
Libraries
1

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income24% lower than Texas$59,707$78,476$80,734
Income per person36% lower than Texas$26,066$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate4 points lower than Texas1.4%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line7 points higher than Texas21%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher14 points lower than Texas20%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher11 points lower than Texas75%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance14 points higher than Texas34%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet21 points lower than Texas70%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute39% lower than Texas16 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home12 points lower than Texas2.1%14%15%
Workers who work from home2.1%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk0%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Van Horn

Under 1831%
18 to 3411%
35 to 6432%
65 and over26%

Median age 39.8 years. 28% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White14%
Hispanic or Latino81%
Black0.3%
Asian1.4%
Other or more than one race3.6%

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

Weather in Van Horn

Van Horn has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 93°F and January lows about 30°F. There are about 95 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 10 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Van Horn30°50°70°90°59J64F72M79A87M94J93J92A86S79O68N59DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Van Horn, 1 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 Van Horn

    Nearby, Fort Hancock gets a D, Marfa gets a C+ and Tornillo gets an F. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.

    1. DFort HancockTown, 1,345 people62 mi
    2. C+MarfaTown, 2,482 people70 mi
    3. FTornilloTown, 1,341 people80 mi
    4. CTown of PecosSmall city, 10,926 people81 mi
    5. A-AlpineTown, 6,014 people83 mi
    6. C-FabensTown, 4,818 people84 mi

    Living in Van Horn: common questions

    Is Van Horn, TX a good place to live?

    We give Van Horn a B. It ranks 208th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and schools, and trails on internet access and health. It is a strong pick for people on a budget.

    How much does it cost to live in Van Horn?

    Renters in Van Horn pay a median of $1,043 a month, 26% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $94,300, 67% 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 $586, including property tax.

    Are the schools good in Van Horn?

    We found 1 rated public school campuses inside Van Horn. 100% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 81 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

    What is the weather like in Van Horn?

    Summers in Van Horn peak at about 93°F in July, and January nights fall to about 30°F. Expect around 95 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 10 inches of rain.

    How long is the commute in Van Horn?

    The average one-way commute is 16 min, 39% lower than the Texas average. About 2.1% of workers work from home.

    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.