The 10 Best Small Towns In Texas For 2022


We used science and data to determine which small towns in Texas are the best of the best.

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You've seen these lists before: Best places to live in Texas, Most Beautiful Downtowns, etc., etc. But all of them focus on major cities and towns in the Lone Star State and no one pays attention to the little guy.

Well, that's all about to change as we put together a list of the best small towns in Texas based on numbers--not opinions or hearsay.

We'll dive right into our methodology in the next section; but first, we thought you might just want to know which places in Texas ranked the based--you know, based on science.

Before we get to the top 15, here's a look at the 10 Best Small Towns To Live in Texas for 2022.

What's the best small town in Texas? Spring Valley Village is the best small town in Texas based on the most recent Census data. If you live in one of these small towns like Spring Valley Village, chances are, you're not surprised. After all, you know how great you have it.

But for the rest of you--keep reading and we'll get to just why these small towns made our list.

For more reading on the Lone Star State check out:

The 15 Best Small Towns In Texas For 2022

1. Spring Valley Village

Spring Valley Village, TX

Source: Public domain
Overall SnackAbility

8
/10

Population: 4,294
Median Income: $214,000 (6th Best)
Median Home Value: $859,400 (10th Best)
More on Spring Valley Village: Photos | Data | Homes For Sale

2. Rollingwood

Overall SnackAbility

7.5
/10

Population: 1,331
Median Income: $193,750 (9th Best)
Median Home Value: $1,152,200 (8th Best)
More on Rollingwood: Data | Homes For Sale

3. Hollywood Park

Hollywood Park, TX

Source: Wikipedia User Bala K. Srinivas | CC BY-SA 3.0
Overall SnackAbility

9.5
/10

Population: 3,343
Median Income: $117,440 (37th Best)
Median Home Value: $336,700 (45th Best)
More on Hollywood Park: Photos | Data | Homes For Sale

4. Southside Place

Overall SnackAbility

10
/10

Population: 1,515
Median Income: $250,001 (2nd Best)
Median Home Value: $1,560,800 (4th Best)
More on Southside Place: Data | Homes For Sale

5. Bunker Hill Village

Bunker Hill Village, TX

Source: Public domain
Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 3,948
Median Income: $250,001 (2nd Best)
Median Home Value: $1,526,400 (5th Best)
More on Bunker Hill Village: Photos | Data | Homes For Sale

6. Taylor Lake Village

Taylor Lake Village, TX

Source: Public domain
Overall SnackAbility

7.5
/10

Population: 3,685
Median Income: $130,735 (28th Best)
Median Home Value: $279,600 (66th Best)
More on Taylor Lake Village: Photos | Data | Homes For Sale

7. Castle Hills

Castle Hills, TX

Source: Flickr User andinarvaez | CC BY 2.0
Overall SnackAbility

8
/10

Population: 4,459
Median Income: $89,464 (72nd Best)
Median Home Value: $324,600 (53rd Best)
More on Castle Hills: Photos | Data | Homes For Sale

8. Piney Point Village

Piney Point Village, TX

Source: Public domain
Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 3,435
Median Income: $250,001 (2nd Best)
Median Home Value: $1,938,800 (1st Best)
More on Piney Point Village: Photos | Data | Homes For Sale

9. Olmos Park

Overall SnackAbility

9
/10

Population: 1,856
Median Income: $141,750 (22nd Best)
Median Home Value: $684,500 (12th Best)
More on Olmos Park: Data | Homes For Sale

10. The Hills

The Hills, TX

Source: Flickr User jessica mullen | CC BY 2.0
Overall SnackAbility

7
/10

Population: 2,397
Median Income: $153,500 (15th Best)
Median Home Value: $564,400 (17th Best)
More on The Hills: Photos | Data | Homes For Sale

11. Emerald Bay

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 1,023
Median Income: $69,821 (132nd Best)
Median Home Value: $245,700 (80th Best)
More on Emerald Bay: Data | Homes For Sale

12. Meadows Place

Meadows Place, TX

Source: Public domain
Overall SnackAbility

8.5
/10

Population: 4,899
Median Income: $76,563 (101st Best)
Median Home Value: $195,900 (115th Best)
More on Meadows Place: Photos | Data | Homes For Sale

13. Lost Creek

Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 1,123
Median Income: $147,500 (19th Best)
Median Home Value: $842,100 (11th Best)
More on Lost Creek: Data | Homes For Sale

14. Shavano Park

Overall SnackAbility

9.5
/10

Population: 3,874
Median Income: $198,295 (8th Best)
Median Home Value: $668,100 (13th Best)
More on Shavano Park: Data | Homes For Sale

15. Hunters Creek Village

Hunters Creek Village, TX

Source: Public domain
Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 4,834
Median Income: $250,001 (2nd Best)
Median Home Value: $1,778,800 (3rd Best)
More on Hunters Creek Village: Photos | Data | Homes For Sale

Methodology: How We Determined The Coolest Towns In Texas

We threw a lot of criteria at this one in order to get the best, most complete results possible. Using the most recent data from the Census's 2016-2020 American Community Survey and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this is the criteria we used:

  • Population Density (Higher is better)
  • Lowest Unemployment Rates
  • Housing costs (Higher is better. More demand.)
  • Adjusted Median Income (Higher is better)
  • Highly Educated Adults (Higher is better)
  • Insurance Rates (Higher is better)
  • Commute Times (Lower is better)
Best States In America

We looked at places with populations lower than 5,000 people and greater than 1,000, of which, there were a lot - 577 to be exact.

We then ranked each place in each category with scores from 1 to 577, averaged them out, and the lowest scores went to our Best Small Towns in Texas. Top of that list -- Spring Valley Village. You can download the data here.

Keep reading to find out more about our top 15 best small towns in Texas.

Summary: Science Can Tackle Any Issue, Even Small Ones

We said it once and we'll say it again -- this list: it's just science. We did the research, we crunched the numbers, and it turns out, these 15 small towns in Texas are the best, in which to live.

And who can argue with that?

If you're curious, here are the worst small towns in Texas:

  1. Agua Dulce
  2. Charlotte
  3. Escobares

For more Texas reading, check out:

Detailed List Of The Best Small Towns In Texas

Rank City Population Median Income Median Home Value
1 Spring Valley Village, TX 4,294 $214,000.0 $859,400.0
2 Rollingwood, TX 1,331 $193,750.0 $1,152,200.0
3 Hollywood Park, TX 3,343 $117,440.0 $336,700.0
4 Southside Place, TX 1,515 $250,001.0 $1,560,800.0
5 Bunker Hill Village, TX 3,948 $250,001.0 $1,526,400.0
6 Taylor Lake Village, TX 3,685 $130,735.0 $279,600.0
7 Castle Hills, TX 4,459 $89,464.0 $324,600.0
8 Piney Point Village, TX 3,435 $250,001.0 $1,938,800.0
9 Olmos Park, TX 1,856 $141,750.0 $684,500.0
10 The Hills, TX 2,397 $153,500.0 $564,400.0
11 Emerald Bay, TX 1,023 $69,821.0 $245,700.0
12 Meadows Place, TX 4,899 $76,563.0 $195,900.0
13 Lost Creek, TX 1,123 $147,500.0 $842,100.0
14 Shavano Park, TX 3,874 $198,295.0 $668,100.0
15 Hunters Creek Village, TX 4,834 $250,001.0 $1,778,800.0
16 Decordova, TX 2,981 $103,111.0 $226,800.0
17 Hedwig Village, TX 2,651 $152,768.0 $1,188,000.0
18 Barton Creek, TX 2,395 $144,327.0 $1,444,800.0
19 Meadowlakes, TX 2,274 $77,931.0 $267,600.0
20 Lindsay, TX 1,176 $119,702.0 $207,100.0
21 Hideaway, TX 3,157 $73,245.0 $214,500.0
22 Salado, TX 2,848 $79,419.0 $291,800.0
23 West Lake Hills, TX 3,302 $208,641.0 $1,128,500.0
24 Shallowater, TX 2,573 $63,777.0 $184,900.0
25 Shenandoah, TX 2,955 $81,806.0 $331,600.0
26 Bayou Vista, TX 1,967 $110,833.0 $293,100.0
27 Oak Ridge North, TX 3,163 $95,833.0 $230,500.0
28 Central Gardens, TX 3,621 $75,966.0 $204,100.0
29 Clear Lake Shores, TX 1,371 $116,200.0 $370,000.0
30 Lakeside City, TX 1,056 $86,324.0 $177,800.0
31 Red Lick, TX 1,521 $114,205.0 $223,300.0
32 El Lago, TX 2,805 $85,143.0 $242,300.0
33 Cross Mountain, TX 3,238 $141,118.0 $419,100.0
34 Palm Valley, TX 1,909 $74,018.0 $210,900.0
35 Tiki Island, TX 1,095 $99,526.0 $497,700.0
36 Shiner, TX 2,141 $63,553.0 $153,600.0
37 Aledo, TX 4,767 $109,303.0 $268,900.0
38 Weston Lakes, TX 3,846 $171,484.0 $460,200.0
39 Double Oak, TX 3,099 $167,000.0 $493,500.0
40 Panorama Village, TX 2,641 $67,330.0 $193,400.0
41 Panhandle, TX 2,714 $74,564.0 $123,600.0
42 Shady Hollow, TX 3,833 $136,989.0 $433,000.0
43 Argyle, TX 4,278 $190,500.0 $514,400.0
44 Muenster, TX 1,287 $76,250.0 $186,400.0
45 Westlake, TX 1,511 $244,063.0 $1,867,600.0
46 Haslet, TX 2,276 $151,458.0 $439,500.0
47 Paloma Creek, TX 3,015 $92,602.0 $215,200.0
48 Parker, TX 4,920 $168,811.0 $642,100.0
49 Dalworthington Gardens, TX 2,192 $111,979.0 $418,400.0
50 Krugerville, TX 1,447 $107,679.0 $261,700.0
51 Copper Canyon, TX 1,578 $123,942.0 $650,500.0
52 Port Aransas, TX 4,203 $70,682.0 $369,400.0
53 Morgan's Point Resort, TX 4,555 $74,423.0 $158,700.0
54 Fort Clark Springs, TX 1,487 $62,025.0 $129,100.0
55 Hickory Creek, TX 4,716 $121,913.0 $326,100.0
56 Talty, TX 2,597 $125,893.0 $353,800.0
57 Hallsville, TX 4,297 $69,261.0 $170,300.0
58 Lorena, TX 1,822 $85,500.0 $173,900.0
59 Briarcliff, TX 1,869 $116,458.0 $349,000.0
60 Beach City, TX 2,726 $150,417.0 $348,200.0
61 Lavon, TX 3,504 $95,286.0 $244,800.0
62 South Padre Island, TX 2,798 $58,986.0 $422,700.0
63 Whitesboro, TX 4,043 $71,391.0 $144,000.0
64 Shoreacres, TX 1,551 $118,021.0 $220,200.0
65 Lakeside Town (Tarrant County), TX 1,636 $88,529.0 $212,100.0
66 Rancho Viejo, TX 2,998 $74,766.0 $199,100.0
67 Claude, TX 1,358 $68,772.0 $153,100.0
68 Falls City, TX 1,001 $71,250.0 $105,300.0
69 Pantego, TX 2,479 $66,250.0 $251,000.0
70 Hackberry, TX 2,426 $105,741.0 $282,500.0
71 Iraan, TX 1,252 $65,395.0 $119,300.0
72 Dripping Springs, TX 4,951 $87,646.0 $393,400.0
73 Lake Kiowa, TX 2,418 $76,759.0 $397,400.0
74 Mclendon-Chisholm, TX 3,521 $155,667.0 $452,400.0
75 Northlake, TX 3,182 $92,750.0 $435,900.0
76 Columbus, TX 3,645 $50,793.0 $163,500.0
77 Pinewood Estates, TX 1,200 $107,212.0 $264,900.0
78 China Grove, TX 1,239 $87,050.0 $246,200.0
79 Hudson Bend, TX 2,438 $111,250.0 $506,200.0
80 Cisco, TX 3,786 $53,125.0 $70,500.0
81 Bullard, TX 3,444 $82,321.0 $222,500.0
82 Bartonville, TX 1,481 $118,750.0 $615,700.0
83 Shady Shores, TX 2,888 $117,083.0 $324,900.0
84 St. Hedwig, TX 2,474 $95,778.0 $229,500.0
85 Garden Ridge, TX 4,054 $140,453.0 $478,600.0
86 Marfa, TX 1,974 $41,250.0 $165,600.0
87 Manchaca, TX 1,370 $122,639.0 $370,100.0
88 West, TX 2,879 $49,955.0 $116,300.0
89 Early, TX 3,113 $54,089.0 $118,800.0
90 Hudson Oaks, TX 2,613 $115,938.0 $325,100.0
91 Thorndale, TX 1,323 $60,721.0 $89,000.0
92 Idalou, TX 1,814 $45,804.0 $129,300.0
93 Castroville, TX 3,097 $61,375.0 $191,800.0
94 Crane, TX 3,610 $73,152.0 $111,100.0
95 Potosi, TX 3,928 $93,710.0 $220,100.0
96 Jamaica Beach, TX 1,299 $75,250.0 $244,700.0
97 Aubrey, TX 4,352 $64,777.0 $212,100.0
98 Abernathy, TX 3,408 $58,542.0 $103,600.0
99 Riesel, TX 1,349 $92,545.0 $90,000.0
100 Flatonia, TX 1,800 $62,614.0 $151,700.0
Download The Entire Texas Ranking Data

This article is an opinion based on facts and is meant as infotainment. This is our ninth time ranking the best small places to live in Texas.

About Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar has been in the real estate business for almost ten years now. He originally worked for Movoto Real Estate as the director of marketing before founding HomeSnacks.

He believes the key to finding the right place to live comes down to looking at the data, reading about things to do, and, most importantly, checking it out yourself before you move.

If you've been looking for a place to live in the past several years, you've probably stumbled upon his writing already.

You can find out more about him on LinkedIn or his website.

 Best Small Towns, Rankings