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Gainesville is a small city of 17,459 in Texas, with a median household income of $49,170
and a 6.1% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 93 (US average = 100), which is
7% below the national average.
Strengths:
Gainesville stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, lower-than-average crime, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Gainesville is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Gainesville city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 92.8
Gainesville's overall cost of living index is 92.8,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Gainesville costs roughly 7% less than the average American city.
Metric
Gainesville, TX
National Avg
Median Home Value
$120,800
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$1,037
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
49.6%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$49,170
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Gainesville's violent crime rate is 163.5 per 100,000 residents
— 57% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
163.5 /100k
Property Crime
1624.2 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Gainesville is served primarily by GAINESVILLE ISD.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 17.0:1
(slightly above the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Gainesville, TX
National Avg
School District
GAINESVILLE ISD
—
Elementary Schools
2
—
Middle Schools
2
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
17.0:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
18.0%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
82.6%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Gainesville sees average highs of 52.6°F in January
and 93.5°F in July,
with 42.8 inches of annual precipitation
and 2.6 inches of snow per year.
Gainesville's cost of living index is 93, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Gainesville roughly 7% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $120,800 and median rent is $1,037/month.
Gainesville's violent crime rate is 163.5 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1624.2 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Gainesville are operated by GAINESVILLE ISD.
The district has 2 elementary, 2 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 17.0:1. 18.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Gainesville, TX has a population of 17,459, a median household income of $49,170, and an unemployment rate of 6.1%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Gainesville averages 52.6°F in January and 93.5°F in July. Annual rainfall is 42.8 inches
with about 2.6 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Gainesville, TX is covered by 2 ZIP codes: 76240, 76241.
The population of Gainesville, Texas is 17,459 with a median age of 34.8. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Gainesville: cost of living index 93 (100 = US average), median home $120,800, median household income $49,170, crime index 57 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Gainesville side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
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