Cost of Living in Wells Branch, TX

Population 14,156 · Texas · Data vintage 2023

117
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 Wells Branch a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $369,000. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 2.6% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Wells Branch sits roughly 6 miles south of Round Rock — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Housing prices track closely with Round Rock's $384,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 121
Rent 110

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

About the Cost of Living in Wells Branch

The median home value in Wells Branch is $368,500 — 21% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,450/month, 10% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $64,345/year is 14% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.6%, 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 80.5°F and lows of 59.4°F. Overall, Wells Branch has a cost of living index of 117 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 17% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$368,500
21% above avg
Median Rent
$1,450/mo
10% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.2x
Favors renting
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 28.9%
Renter-occupied 71.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,450
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,064/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
23.9 min
11% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
23.0%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
66.8%
Carpooled
7.9%
Public transit
0.4%
Work from home
23.0%

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
$64,345
14% below avg
Per Capita Income
$47,933
Unemployment Rate
2.6%
46% below avg
Poverty Rate
16.8%
Labor Force Participation
78.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 32.0%
Graduate degree 15.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 34.6
Male median age 35
Female median age 33.7

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
80.5°F
Avg Low
59.4°F
Annual Precip
36.2"
Annual Snowfall
0.2"
40° 55° 70° 85° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 636773808793979891837264
Low °F 424652596773757570615143
Precip" 2.641.892.882.425.043.681.962.743.453.912.922.72
Snow" 0.00.20.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.0

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 54 — Moderate
40.3%
Good air days/yr
122
Max AQI recorded
254
PM2.5 days
107
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Wells Branch, TX?

Wells Branch has a cost index of 117 (100 = national average). It is 17% above the national average.

What is average rent in Wells Branch, TX?

The median gross rent in Wells Branch is $1,450 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Wells Branch?

The median home value in Wells Branch is $368,500 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Wells Branch?

The median household income in Wells Branch is $64,345 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Wells Branch, TX?

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

Is Wells Branch, TX affordable?

Wells Branch is above average in cost of living, with an index of 117 — about 17% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Wells Branch?

Wells Branch has average high temperatures of 80.5°F and average lows of 59.4°F. Annual precipitation is 36.2". Average annual snowfall is 0.2". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Wells Branch at a Glance

Population
14,156
Median Income
$64,345
Home Value
$368,500
Median Rent
$1,450/mo
Unemployment
2.6%
Avg High Temp
80.5°F
Sales Tax
8.2%
View all cities in Texas →
🗺️ County data for Texas

Explore county-level cost of living data

Similar Cost Cities

Cities in other states with comparable housing costs