Universal City is a small city of 19,798 in Texas, with a median household income of $71,287
and a 5.1% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 94 (US average = 100), which is
6% below the national average.
Strengths:
Universal City stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, lower-than-average crime, solid school ratings (B+).
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Universal City is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Universal 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: 93.7
Universal City's overall cost of living index is 93.7,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Universal City costs roughly 6% less than the average American city.
Metric
Universal City, TX
National Avg
Median Home Value
$226,600
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$1,171
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
55.7%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$71,287
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Safer than Average
Universal City's violent crime rate is 258.4 per 100,000 residents
— 32% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
258.4 /100k
Property Crime
2102.3 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Universal City is served primarily by RANDOLPH FIELD ISD.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.8:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Universal City, TX
National Avg
School District
RANDOLPH FIELD ISD
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
13.8:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
31.9%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
95.0%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Universal City sees average highs of 63.1°F in January
and 95.7°F in July,
with 32.7 inches of annual precipitation
and 0.2 inches of snow per year.
Universal City's cost of living index is 94, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Universal City roughly 6% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $226,600 and median rent is $1,171/month.
Universal City's violent crime rate is 258.4 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 2102.3 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Universal City are operated by RANDOLPH FIELD ISD.
The district has 1 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.8:1. 31.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Universal City, TX has a population of 19,798, a median household income of $71,287, and an unemployment rate of 5.1%.
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.
Universal City averages 63.1°F in January and 95.7°F in July. Annual rainfall is 32.7 inches
with about 0.2 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Universal City, TX is covered by 1 ZIP code: 78148.
The population of Universal City, Texas is 19,798 with a median age of 37.2. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Universal City: cost of living index 94 (100 = US average), median home $226,600, median household income $71,287, crime index 81 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Universal City side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
