Cost of Living in Bowie, TX

Population 5,617 · Texas · Data vintage 2023

71
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Bowie a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $182,000. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 1.9% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Located 45 miles southeast of Wichita Falls, Bowie falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 28% higher than Wichita Falls' $143,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 60
Rent 87

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Bowie

The median home value in Bowie is $182,400 — 40% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,139/month, 13% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $57,299/year is 23% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.9%, below the national average of 4.8%. Texas charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. The climate averages highs of 76.0°F and lows of 52.9°F. Overall, Bowie has a cost of living index of 71 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 29% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$182,400
40% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$241,801
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,139/mo
13% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,400/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.3x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
1.7%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$766
1 BR
$811
2 BR
$981
3 BR
$1,307
4 BR
$1,509
Owner-occupied 65.6%
Renter-occupied 34.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,139
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,753/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
36.5 min
35% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
7.1%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
80.9%
Carpooled
9.2%
Walked
0.7%
Work from home
7.1%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) None
Total Sales Tax 8.2%
State rate 6.3%
Avg local rate 1.9%
Property Tax 1.7%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$57,299
23% below avg
Per Capita Income
$25,868
Unemployment Rate
1.9%
61% below avg
Poverty Rate
16.8%
Labor Force Participation
49.6%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 11.0%
Graduate degree 4.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 34
Male median age 29.5
Female median age 39.2

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
76.0°F
Avg Low
52.9°F
Annual Precip
35.6"
30° 48° 65° 83° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 566068758391969688786657
Low °F 323645516169737364534234
Precip" 1.942.483.113.434.523.671.772.392.654.172.712.76

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Bowie, TX?

Bowie has a cost index of 71 (100 = national average). It is 29% below the national average.

What is average rent in Bowie, TX?

The median gross rent in Bowie is $1,139 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Bowie?

The median home value in Bowie is $182,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Bowie?

The median household income in Bowie is $57,299 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Bowie, TX?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Bowie is 8.2%. Texas has no state income tax.

Is Bowie, TX affordable?

Yes, Bowie is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 71 — about 29% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Bowie?

Bowie has average high temperatures of 76.0°F and average lows of 52.9°F. Annual precipitation is 35.6". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Bowie at a Glance

Population
5,617
Median Income
$57,299
Home Value
$182,400
Median Rent
$1,139/mo
Unemployment
1.9%
Avg High Temp
76.0°F
Sales Tax
8.2%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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