Rusk is a small town of 5,344 in Texas, with a median household income of $68,611
and a 9.6% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 91 (US average = 100), which is
9% below the national average.
Strengths:
Rusk 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 Rusk is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Rusk 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: 90.8
Rusk's overall cost of living index is 90.8,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Rusk costs roughly 9% less than the average American city.
Metric
Rusk, TX
National Avg
Median Home Value
$94,100
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$946
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
66.7%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$68,611
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Rusk's violent crime rate is 111.4 per 100,000 residents
— 71% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
111.4 /100k
Property Crime
965.3 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Rusk is served primarily by RUSK ISD.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.4:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Rusk, TX
National Avg
School District
RUSK ISD
—
Elementary Schools
3
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
13.4:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
8.4%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
68.1%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Rusk sees average highs of 55.6°F in January
and 90.7°F in July,
with 50.1 inches of annual precipitation
and 0.1 inches of snow per year.
Rusk's cost of living index is 91, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Rusk roughly 9% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $94,100 and median rent is $946/month.
Rusk's violent crime rate is 111.4 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 965.3 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Rusk are operated by RUSK ISD.
The district has 3 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.4:1. 8.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Rusk, TX has a population of 5,344, a median household income of $68,611, and an unemployment rate of 9.6%.
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.
Rusk averages 55.6°F in January and 90.7°F in July. Annual rainfall is 50.1 inches
with about 0.1 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Rusk, TX is covered by 1 ZIP code: 75785.
The population of Rusk, Texas is 5,344 with a median age of 39.7. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Rusk: cost of living index 91 (100 = US average), median home $94,100, median household income $68,611, crime index 36 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Rusk side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.