Living in Pharr, TX offers a unique blend of cultural diversity, economic opportunity, and urban convenience. Located in the Rio Grande Valley, Pharr is just a short drive from McAllen and the Mexican border, making it an ideal location for those who want to enjoy the benefits of a vibrant community with easy access to international destinations. The city is known for its strong sense of community, growing economy, and convenient location in South Texas.
Pharr’s dining scene is diverse, offering a range of options from traditional Tex-Mex cuisine to international flavors. The city’s proximity to McAllen provides residents with a variety of shopping, dining, and entertainment options, including the popular La Plaza Mall. The annual Pharr Hub Phestival is a local favorite, celebrating the city’s culture with food, music, and family-friendly activities.
For outdoor enthusiasts, Pharr provides plenty of opportunities for recreation. The city’s parks, including Victor Garcia Municipal Park and Witten Park, offer sports fields, playgrounds, and scenic walking trails, making them perfect spots for family outings and community events. The nearby Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge offers additional opportunities for birdwatching, hiking, and exploring the natural beauty of the Rio Grande Valley.
Pharr is also known for its strong commitment to economic development and cultural diversity. The city hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including the Pharr International Bridge Lights Festival and the Fiesta de Palmas, which bring residents together to celebrate and enjoy the community spirit. The city’s proximity to McAllen and the Mexican border means that residents can easily access the amenities of larger cities, including shopping centers and cultural institutions.
For those considering a move to Texas, Pharr offers a perfect blend of cultural richness, economic opportunity, and urban convenience. Whether you're drawn by its community events, outdoor activities, or proximity to McAllen and Mexico, living in Pharr, TX provides a fulfilling and dynamic lifestyle.
Cost Of Living
Taking into account the cost of goods and services like housing, groceries, transportation and utilities, the overall cost of living in this area is well below average.
Housing
High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.
Health & Safety
Good air quality as well as nearby health facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, fire and police stations all contribute to a higher than average health and safety score.
Ratings
Based on recent surveys and polls, locals gave high marks in the walkability to local amenities, safety, public transit, friendliness of neighbors and overall sense of community in the area.
Amenities
The majority of amenities are not ideally located within walking distance. To access these amenities, residents may be required to rely on a vehicle or public transit.
Commute
A low commute score could be due to longer-than-average work commutes and the limited availability of public transportation in this area.
Employment
In the employment category, a low score could be attributed to low income levels and high unemployment in the area, suggesting potential difficulties in finding lucrative employment.
Pharr is a moderately-sized city located in the state of Texas. The city has a population of 78,689 people. With a population density of 3,331 people per square mile, Pharr is well above the nation's average density level. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (83% White). Given that fact, Pharr could be considered less diverse than other cities. Additionally, more than a quarter of the population of Pharr are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 84% of the population also speak Spanish. The median age of all Pharr residents is 30, which is well below the national average. This is a good indication that this city could be ideal for a younger demographic. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Pharr offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 21 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.
Whether you’re relocating to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Pharr could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Texas if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, cost of living, commute, health & safety, education, you can easily compare the best places to live in Pharr and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Pharr to Texas and the national average.
With a livability score of 71 out of 100, Pharr is ranked #5,759 in the United States and #266 in Texas. Based on the rankings for each individual category, Pharr has received high marks for crime (B-) and housing (A-). Pharr does not rank well for the following: amenities (F) and employment (F). It might be a good idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.
In today's ever-changing economic climate, pursuing a cost-effective lifestyle takes on heightened importance, particularly with the continual increase in prices for everyday necessities. When living in Pharr, residents are privileged to experience a cost of living that stands 22.35% below the national average. This advantageous position has a far-reaching impact, spanning a wide array of expenditures, encompassing not just goods and services, but also housing, groceries, and transportation costs. As a result, this area emerges as a central hub where your financial resources yield greater value, allowing for the maintenance of an economically sustainable lifestyle. This affordability holds exceptional significance in an era characterized by mounting expenses, making Pharr an attractive destination for individuals seeking financial prudence without compromising their quality of life.
Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Pharr market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.
Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Pharr is real estate affordability. The median home price for Pharr homes is $81,600, which is 42.8% lower than the Texas average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Pharr, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2, which is 23.1% lower than the Texas average.
| Statistic | Pharr | Texas | National |
| Average one way commute | 21min | 26min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 79.9% | 80.3% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 7.4% | 10.6% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.1% | 1.5% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.3% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.7% | 1.6% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 6.6% | 4.3% | 4.6% |
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