San Benito is a small city of 24,766 in Texas, with a median household income of $38,100
and a 5.3% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 85 (US average = 100), which is
15% below the national average.
Strengths:
San Benito 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 San Benito is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All San Benito 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: 85.2
San Benito's overall cost of living index is 85.2,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in San Benito costs roughly 15% less than the average American city.
Metric
San Benito, TX
National Avg
Median Home Value
$79,000
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$866
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
68.1%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$38,100
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Safer than Average
San Benito's violent crime rate is 262.5 per 100,000 residents
— 31% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
262.5 /100k
Property Crime
2899.7 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
San Benito is served primarily by SAN BENITO CISD.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.3:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
San Benito, TX
National Avg
School District
SAN BENITO CISD
—
Elementary Schools
11
—
Middle Schools
4
—
High Schools
7
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
14.3:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
12.4%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
69.6%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
San Benito sees average highs of 71.7°F in January
and 96.6°F in July,
with 26.1 inches of annual precipitation
and 0.1 inches of snow per year.
San Benito's cost of living index is 85, where 100 is the national average.
That makes San Benito roughly 15% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $79,000 and median rent is $866/month.
San Benito's violent crime rate is 262.5 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 2899.7 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in San Benito are operated by SAN BENITO CISD.
The district has 11 elementary, 4 middle, and 7 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.3:1. 12.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
San Benito, TX has a population of 24,766, a median household income of $38,100, and an unemployment rate of 5.3%.
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.
San Benito averages 71.7°F in January and 96.6°F in July. Annual rainfall is 26.1 inches
with about 0.1 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
San Benito, TX is covered by 1 ZIP code: 78586.
The population of San Benito, Texas is 24,766 with a median age of 31.5. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in San Benito: cost of living index 85 (100 = US average), median home $79,000, median household income $38,100, crime index 97 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare San Benito side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
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