Rio Grande City is a small city of 15,256 in Texas, with a median household income of $44,307
and a 8.9% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 89 (US average = 100), which is
11% below the national average.
Strengths:
Rio Grande City 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 Rio Grande City is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Rio Grande City 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: 89.3
Rio Grande City's overall cost of living index is 89.3,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Rio Grande City costs roughly 11% less than the average American city.
Metric
Rio Grande City, TX
National Avg
Median Home Value
$109,900
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$709
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
72.6%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$44,307
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Safer than Average
Rio Grande City's violent crime rate is 189.3 per 100,000 residents
— 50% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
189.3 /100k
Property Crime
1736.3 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Rio Grande City is served primarily by RIO GRANDE CITY GRULLA ISD.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.7:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Rio Grande City, TX
National Avg
School District
RIO GRANDE CITY GRULLA ISD
—
Elementary Schools
9
—
Middle Schools
3
—
High Schools
3
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
13.7:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
18.6%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
69.2%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Rio Grande City sees average highs of 70.7°F in January
and 99.0°F in July,
with 22.5 inches of annual precipitation
and 0.1 inches of snow per year.
Rio Grande City's cost of living index is 89, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Rio Grande City roughly 11% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $109,900 and median rent is $709/month.
Rio Grande City's violent crime rate is 189.3 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1736.3 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Rio Grande City are operated by RIO GRANDE CITY GRULLA ISD.
The district has 9 elementary, 3 middle, and 3 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.7:1. 18.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Rio Grande City, TX has a population of 15,256, a median household income of $44,307, and an unemployment rate of 8.9%.
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.
Rio Grande City averages 70.7°F in January and 99.0°F in July. Annual rainfall is 22.5 inches
with about 0.1 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Rio Grande City, TX is covered by 1 ZIP code: 78582.
The population of Rio Grande City, Texas is 15,256 with a median age of 30.2. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Rio Grande City: cost of living index 89 (100 = US average), median home $109,900, median household income $44,307, crime index 63 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Rio Grande City side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
