Town in Austin County, part of the Houston metro
Living in Wallis, TX
587th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 21 of 100
95th of 125 in the Houston area
Wallis gets an overall grade of D and ranks 587th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and schools, and trails on jobs and income and getting around.
- Affordable
- Jobs and income scores low (3 of 100)
- Getting around scores low (4 of 100)
- Population
- 1,372+6.0% since 2020
- Median rent
- $74447% lower than Texas
- Median home value
- $157,20045% lower than Texas
- Household income
- $43,102Median
- Average commute
- 32 minOne way
- Violent crime
- 291Per 100k, 2025
What it's like to live in Wallis
Wallis sits about 42 miles from downtown Houston, in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands metro. 1,372 people lived here in 2025, up 6.0% from 2020. It is spread out.
The median age is 35.3, 39% of households have children, 70% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $43,102 a year (45% lower than the Texas median).
Pros of living in Wallis
- Lower rent. Median rent is $744, 47% lower than the Texas median.
Cons of living in Wallis
- Higher unemployment. 26% of the labor force is out of work, against 5.3% statewide.
- Higher poverty. 26% of people live below the poverty line, against 14% across Texas.
- Long commutes. The average trip to work takes 32 minutes, against 27 across Texas.
- Long, hot summers. Expect about 116 days a year at 90°F or hotter.
- Spotty home internet. Only 78% of homes have a broadband plan.
Who Wallis suits
- FamiliesA reasonable fit: violent crime is 25% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 47% for families.
- Young professionalsNot the best fit: household income is 45% lower than the Texas median, with 4 restaurants and 0 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 6% for young professionals.
- RetireesNot the best fit: 23% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 25% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 29% for retirees.
- Remote workersNot the best fit: 78% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $744 is 47% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 22% for remote workers.
- People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $744 is 47% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 71% for people on a budget.
Wallis report card
Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Wallis 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 $744, homes cost 3.6x income.
81 of 100 vs US townsJobs and income: grade F
Median household income $43,102, 26% unemployed.
3 of 100 vs US townsSchools: grade B
Not enough data.
66 of 100 vs TX townsSafety: grade C-
291 violent crimes per 100k, 581 property crimes per 100k.
33 of 100 vs TX townsErrands and things to do: no grade
0 grocery stores, 4 restaurants, 1 park mapped in town.
No score vs TX townsGetting around: grade F
Average commute 32 min, 4.5% work from home.
4 of 100 vs US townsEducation levels: grade D
8.1% have a bachelor’s degree.
16 of 100 vs US townsHealth: grade F
23% of adults uninsured.
5 of 100 vs US townsHome ownership: grade C-
70% of homes owner-occupied.
37 of 100 vs US townsInternet access: grade D-
78% of homes have broadband.
9 of 100 vs US towns
Where Wallis stands out compared with Texas
Better than Texas
- Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 16%35 points lower than Texas (52%)
- Median rent: $74447% lower than Texas ($1,403)
- Homes owned by the people living in them: 70%7 points higher than Texas (63%)
Worse than Texas
- Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 8.1%26 points lower than Texas (34%)
- Unemployment rate: 26%21 points higher than Texas (5.3%)
- Median household income: $43,10245% lower than Texas ($78,476)
Cost of living in Wallis
Rent is the cost most newcomers feel first. The median rent in Wallis is $744 a month, 47% lower than the Texas median of $1,403. To keep that rent at 30% of income, a household needs to earn about $30,000 a year. Right now 16% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.
HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $817 for a one-bedroom, $1,069 for a two-bedroom and $1,480 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 $157,200, 45% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $860 before tax, or $1,073 with property tax. That is $329 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 it leans on property taxes instead, though they are lighter here than in much of the state. The median homeowner in Wallis pays $2,553 a year, 40% 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
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent47% lower than Texas | $744 | $1,403 | $1,413 |
| Median home value45% lower than Texas | $157,200 | $283,800 | $332,700 |
| Home value to incomeAbout the same as Texas | 3.6x | 3.6x | 4.1x |
| Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent35 points lower than Texas | 16% | 52% | 51% |
| Median property tax per year40% lower than Texas | $2,553 | $4,232 | $3,119 |
| Homes owned by the people living in them7 points higher than Texas | 70% | 63% | 65% |
| Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas | 1981 | 1992 | 1980 |
Monthly cost to buy a median home
- Mortgage payment
- $860
- Property tax
- $213
- Median rent, for comparison
- $744
Based on a $157,200 home in Wallis, 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 Wallis safe?
In 2025, Wallis Police Department reported 4 violent crimes and 8 property crimes. That works out to 291 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 25% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 581 property crimes per 100,000, 72% lower than the state rate.
Violent crime is down about 68% since 2021, based on the yearly rates below.
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, Wallis Police Department, 2025. Rates count reported crimes only and cover the area this police department serves.
Daily life in Wallis
Everyday places mapped inside Wallis, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Wallis Park.
The average one-way commute is 32 minutes, 22% longer than the Texas average. 4% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.
Downtown Houston is about 42 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Wallis work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.
The median household income is $43,102, income per person is $22,518, unemployment is 26% and 8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.
Jobs, income and education
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income45% lower than Texas | $43,102 | $78,476 | $80,734 |
| Income per person45% lower than Texas | $22,518 | $40,752 | $44,673 |
| Unemployment rate21 points higher than Texas | 26% | 5.3% | 5.2% |
| People below the poverty line12 points higher than Texas | 26% | 14% | 12% |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher26 points lower than Texas | 8.1% | 34% | 36% |
| Adults with a high school diploma or higher3 points higher than Texas | 89% | 86% | 90% |
| Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance3 points higher than Texas | 23% | 20% | 11% |
| Homes with broadband internet13 points lower than Texas | 78% | 91% | 91% |
Getting to work
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average commute22% higher than Texas | 32 min | 27 min | 26 min |
| Workers who work from home10 points lower than Texas | 4.5% | 14% | 15% |
Who lives in Wallis
Median age 35.3 years. 39% of households have children.
Race and ethnicity
Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.
Weather in Wallis
Wallis has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 95°F and January lows about 40°F. There are about 116 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 47 inches of rain a year.
Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Eagle Lake Resch Ctr, 18 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 Wallis
Nearby, East Bernard gets a B+, Weston Lakes gets an A and Fulshear 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.
- B+East BernardTown, 3,053 people7 mi
- AWeston LakesTown, 4,217 people8 mi
- A+FulshearSmall city, 34,868 people11 mi
- D-SealyTown, 7,053 people11 mi
- D-San FelipeTown, 1,334 people11 mi
- FBrookshireTown, 5,495 people12 mi
Wallis in the Houston area
How it ranks among 125 places in the metro.
- 1A+Taylor Lake Village3,721 people25 mito downtown
- 2A+Bunker Hill Village3,829 people9 mito downtown
- 3A+West University Place14,982 people6 mito downtown
- 92DFifth Street1,453 people16 mito downtown
- 93DPlum Grove1,832 people34 mito downtown
- 94DFreeport10,621 people58 mito downtown
- 95DWallis1,701 people42 mito downtown
- 96DArcola1,911 people20 mito downtown
- 97DShepherd2,189 people54 mito downtown
- 98DSplendora2,131 people34 mito downtown
Living in Wallis: common questions
Is Wallis, TX a good place to live?
Wallis gets an overall grade of D and ranks 587th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and schools, and trails on jobs and income and getting around.
How much does it cost to live in Wallis?
Median rent in Wallis is $744 a month, 47% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $157,200, 45% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 3.6x 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 $1,073, including property tax.
Is Wallis safe?
In 2025, Wallis Police Department reported 291 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 25% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 581 per 100,000, 72% lower than the Texas rate.
What is the weather like in Wallis?
Summers in Wallis peak at about 95°F in July, and January nights fall to about 40°F. Expect around 116 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 47 inches of rain.
How long is the commute in Wallis?
The average one-way commute is 32 min, 22% higher than the Texas average. About 4.5% of workers work from home. It is about 42 miles from downtown Houston.
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.