What are the schools like in Iola, TX?

Iola is served primarily by IOLA ISD. The district operates 1 elementary schools, several middle schools, and 1 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 9.9:1.

What is the median household income in Iola?

The median household income in Iola, TX is N/A according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 19.1%.

What is the weather like in Iola, TX?

Iola has an average high temperature of 61.8°F in January and 94.7°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 46.8 inches and annual snowfall averages 0.5 inches.

Iola, TX Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Iola, TX affordable or expensive?

Iola's cost of living index is 90, where 100 represents the national average. This means Iola is 10% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $128,600 and the median rent is $754 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Iola, TX?

Iola has a violent crime rate of 470.9 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 1236.1 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Iola, TX a Good Place to Live?

Iola is a small town of 259 in Texas, with a median household income of N/A and a 19.1% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 90 (US average = 100), which is 10% below the national average.

Strengths: Iola stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B+).

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include longer commutes, an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Iola is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Iola 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: 90.5

Iola's overall cost of living index is 90.5, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Iola costs roughly 10% less than the average American city.

Metric	Iola, TX	National Avg
Median Home Value	$128,600	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$754	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	71.6%	65.9%
Median Household Income	N/A	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Safer than Average

Iola's violent crime rate is 470.9 per 100,000 residents — 24% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

470.9 /100k

Property Crime

1236.1 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Iola is served primarily by IOLA ISD. The student-to-teacher ratio is 9.9:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Iola, TX	National Avg
School District	IOLA ISD	—
Elementary Schools	1	—
Middle Schools	N/A	—
High Schools	1	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	9.9:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	14.0%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	83.8%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Iola sees average highs of 61.8°F in January and 94.7°F in July, with 46.8 inches of annual precipitation and 0.5 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Iola, TX
Average High — January	61.8°F
Average High — July	94.7°F
Annual Precipitation	46.8"
Annual Snowfall	0.5"

Demographics

Metric	Iola, TX	National Avg
Population	259	—
Median Age	57.6	38.9
Unemployment Rate	19.1%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	33.6 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	87.6%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.4%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	3.5%	18.9%
Asian	0.0%	6.3%
Under 18	10.0%	22.2%
65 and over	27.0%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Bedias, TX 8 mi Kurten, TX 12 mi Wixon Valley, TX 14 mi Madisonville, TX 16 mi Shiro, TX 16 mi

ZIP Codes in Iola

Iola, TX is covered by 1 ZIP code:

77861

Iola vs Other Cities

Iola, TX vs Bedias, TX Iola, TX vs Kurten, TX Iola, TX vs Wixon Valley, TX Iola, TX vs Madisonville, TX Iola, TX vs Shiro, TX

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Iola, TX affordable or expensive?

Iola's cost of living index is 90, where 100 is the national average. That makes Iola roughly 10% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $128,600 and median rent is $754/month.

What is the crime rate in Iola, TX?

Iola's violent crime rate is 470.9 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1236.1 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Iola?

Public schools in Iola are operated by IOLA ISD. The district has 1 elementary, several middle, and 1 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 9.9:1. 14.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Iola, TX a good place to live?

Iola, TX has a population of 259, a median household income of N/A, and an unemployment rate of 19.1%. 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.

What is the weather like in Iola?

Iola averages 61.8°F in January and 94.7°F in July. Annual rainfall is 46.8 inches with about 0.5 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Iola?

Iola, TX is covered by 1 ZIP code: 77861.

What is the population of Iola?

The population of Iola, Texas is 259 with a median age of 57.6. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Iola?

Key numbers for living in Iola: cost of living index 90 (100 = US average), median home $128,600, median household income N/A, crime index 98 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Iola side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.