Are you wondering if living in San Juan TX is for you? Take a look over our comprehensive moving to San Juan guide to determine if this city is for you.
San Juan Texas is known for hosting the largest city in South Texas, the Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle, and the Stained Glass Museum. While small, the city has much to offer, including a welcoming community with a rich history rooted in Catholicism and plenty of amenities. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1917, San Juan, Texas, was named after Saint John the Baptist.
Is San Juan TX a Good Place to Live?
San Juan TX is a good place to live, especially If you’re seeking a warm climate (subtropical semi arid (BSh)), affordable cost of living (74 COLI), and low crime rate, which we discuss in depth below.
Where Is San Juan TX?
San Juan TX is located in south Texas in Hidalgo County within the Rio Grande Valley. Thanks to its proximity to The City of Palms, it’s also within the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). It’s 5 miles from San Juan TX to McAllen TX, and 22 miles to Reynosa, Mexico.
People living in San Juan TX, experience residing close to various great cities. For example, Alamo, North Alamo, Pharr, and Lopezville border the town, providing proximity to varying cultures, cuisines, and demographics.
San Juan TX Population & Demographics
San Juan Texas has a population of 35,294, increasing 3.2% since 2010. However, its population is expected to increase by more than 10% by 2029. One of San Juan’s greatest attributes is the diversity and immense culture it offers its residents. According to the US Census Bureau, 95.12% of people living in San Juan are Hispanic or Latino, whereas only 4.4% are White (2.9% white alone).
0.34% are Black or African American, and 0.8% are Native American. 0.09% of the population is Asian and 0.03% are Pacific Islander. The second largest ethnic group is people identifying as other races (15.93%) and two or more races (1.89%).
San Juan TX boasts the 6th-largest population of 46 cities in its county and the 14th-highest median income. It also has the second-highest unemployment rate (7.4%) and a high poverty rate (24.5%).
Additional Demographics
Living in San Juan TX offers unique demographics:
- Median household income: $53,440 (US median is $78,538)
- Sex ratio: 51 males to 49 females
- Median age: 29.7
- Mean travel time to work: 25.1 minutes
- Educational attainment: 63.7% have high school diplomas, and 14.4% have bachelor's degrees
- Foreign-born population: 26%
San Juan, Texas, is a border town, likely being the primary contributor to its unique racial and ethnic makeup. You know that your future home is diverse, but is it safe? Take a look at the city’s crime rate and how it compares to the state and national average.
San Juan TX Crime Rate
Is living in San Juan TX safe? According to the FBI, San Juan is a very safe place to live, with a crime rate that’s 19.4% lower than the state and 5.3% lower than the country.
- San Juan TX crime rate per 100,000 people: 2,201
- Texas crime rate per 100,000 people: 2,732
- US crime rate per 100,000 people: 2,324
Only 788 total crimes were reported in the city of San Juan in 2022.
The violent crime rate in San Juan follows the same trend:
- San Juan violent crime rate per 100,000 people: 271
- Texas violent crime rate per 100,000 people: 432
- US violent crime rate per 100,000 people: 370
This border city has a violent crime rate that’s 37.3% lower than the state and 26.7% lower than the country.
- San Juan property crime rate per 100,000 people: 1,930
- Texas property crime rate per 100,000 people: 2,300
- US property crime rate per 100,000 people: 1,954
When living in San Juan, there is only a 1 in 52 chance of becoming a victim of property crime, and only 691 property crimes were reported from 2022 to 2023.
San Juan is located within miles of McAllen, which is consistently ranked among the safest border towns in the US, clearly depicting the area’s overall safety and crime trends.
Police Department
You can thank the dedicated staff at the San Juan TX Police Department for this community’s low crime rates. There are 33 sworn officers, equaling one officer per 1,000 residents.
Cost of Living in San Juan
With a Cost of Living Index (COLI) of 76, the Cost of Living in San Juan is 24% lower than the average US city. According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four can live comfortably with a household income of $81,727, making living in San Juan very affordable.
Ensuring you can afford your new city is key; here’s what you can expect to spend on daily *San Juan expenditures.
- Inexpensive restaurant meal: $12.00
- Gallon of milk: $3.46
- Loaf of white bread: $2.47
- Pound of white rice: $1.39
- Dozen eggs: $3.23
- Pound of local cheese: $4.25
- Average San Juan TX utilities per month: $348 (per Doxo)
- Sales Tax Rate in San Juan Texas: 0.08%
Source: Numbeo
*The above statistics are for McAllen, meaning prices may differ when living in San Juan.
Residing in a city like San Juan TX offers unique incentives that make living on a budget easy. For example, groceries in Texas are not taxed. If you spend $10,042 a year on groceries—the county average—you would save more than $700 in sales tax annually if taxed at the national average rate of 7%.
Homes for Sale in San Juan TX
The San Juan TX real estate market is not competitive, as homes typically sit on the market for 151 days before selling, with only 13.3% selling above their listing price. San Juan TX homes for sale have a median price of $246,000 and an average price per square foot of $144. For reference, the US median sale price is $419,200.
While new construction homes for sale in San Juan TX are available, they’re less common, meaning if you see one you like, you should act fast!
Considering 20% of people living in San Juan rent, it’s certainly a great option if you can’t find your dream home to purchase. According to Zillow, the average rent in San Juan TX is $1,250, which is well below the US average of $1,751.
San Juan TX Weather & Climate
San Juan Texas has a subtropical semi-arid climate (Koppen BSh); the summers are long, hot, and humid, whereas the winters are cool, short, and breezy. The best time to visit San Juan is from late April to late June, when the temperatures are reasonable and before the humid days begin.
During the warm seasons, San Juan experiences an average daily high of 92 degrees Fahrenheit, with August reaching an average daily high of 97 degrees. The cool season is far less drastic, with an average daily high of 76 degrees, with January boasting an average daily high of 70 degrees.
During the summer, the days are oppressive, with July experiencing an average daily humidity level of 97%, compared to January’s 10%.
Living in San Juan doesn’t come with any odd weather patterns besides the occasional heat wave or bad thunderstorms.
Things to Do in San Juan Texas
San Juan TX is close to many fun activities for the whole family and is beloved by locals and visitors alike. Explore everything to do when living in San Juan TX.
Explore the murals, fountains, and mystical carvings of the Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle. This immersive experience is educational and breathtaking.
400 Virgen de San Juan Blvd, San Juan, TX 78589, (956) 787-0033
Gelman Stained Glass Museum showcases beautiful handcrafted works of art that are both educational and breathtaking. Many residents host events like weddings due to its picturesque appearance.
411 Virgen de San Juan Blvd, San Juan, TX 78589, (956) 601-0838
Firemen’s Park features a playground, volleyball court, and BBQ pavilion, making it an ideal place to enjoy Texas's lovely weather.
201 N 1st St, McAllen, TX 78501, (956) 681-3333
Additional Attractions
Although San Juan is small, its proximity to McAllen ensures there is plenty to do.
As you can see, you will never run out of activities when living in San Juan TX. This city boasts activities from parks to museums and even religious sites.
Restaurants San Juan TX
Are you looking for the best San Juan TX restaurants to try? Your potential new home boasts some of the best eateries in the Rio Grande Valley that are waiting to add you to their list of satisfied customers.
You will find Mexican cuisine galore when living in San Juan, but Carmelita’s is one of the best! They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner and are known for their fast service and friendly staff. Their most popular menu items are posole, aguas frescas, and enchiladas.
111 State Hwy 495, San Juan, TX 78589, (956) 961-4864
Star-Lite is a fried chicken joint in the heart of San Juan, offering crispy chicken, fish, and burger meals. You can dine in at this greasy spoon or swing in the drive-thru, making it one of the most convenient restaurants in San Juan TX.
1902 N Raul Longoria Rd, San Juan, TX 78589, (956) 283-1431
Ed Pato is one of the most-reviewed eateries in the city, with nearly 1,200 total reviews and more than 900 positive ones. If you’re craving authentic Mexican after moving to San Juan, give El Pato a try!
1626 N Raul Longoria Rd, San Juan, TX 78589, (956) 782-7286
Living in San Juan TX offers countless dining options, specifically restaurants serving traditional Hispanic or Latino dishes.
Jobs in San Juan TX
Is living in San Juan TX good for young professionals? Although there are plenty of jobs San Juan TX, many people travel to nearby McAllen, Pharr, and Edinburg for work, as their economies are much larger. The leading industries in the city are retail, healthcare, education, agriculture Rio Grande Valley’s citrus and vegetable farming region, and manufacturing, with the McAllen metro area being industry leaders in automotive, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, medical research, cold storage, and food processing.
The top employers in Hidalgo County are H-E-B, South Texas Health System, DHR Health, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, and the McAllen Independent School District. If you work in the public sector, considering City of San Juan TX jobs might be beneficial.
Thanks to hosting the notable Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle, tourists are drawn to the city, which stimulates the local economy. Business owners in San Juan have access to incentives such as tax breaks (no corporate or personal income tax) and low-interest loans.
Working and living in San Juan is excellent, and paired with its low cost of living, you can’t go wrong with moving to this lovely border city.
San Juan TX Schools
K-12 public school students living in San Juan Texas are served by the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District (PSJA ISD), which encompasses 30,000 students across 44 schools.
The district is unique, like the cities it serves, embracing its rich culture in any way possible. For example, PSJA ISD has been recognized nationally for its Dual Language Enrichment Program, which promotes bilingualism and biliteracy among students. 48% of (roughly 14,000) students are enrolled in a bilingual learning program! Students have access to an expansive fine arts department, nurturing the interests of all.
The district has a graduation rate of 96.7 % (state average 90%) and has an A accountability rating, making this district an excellent place to send your child. With such a large district, researching all the schools would be time-consuming and overwhelming.
Here is a list of the schools that serve various San Juan neighborhoods:
Elementary schools in San Juan:
- Alfred Sorensen Elementary
- Amanda Garza-Peña Elementary
- Arnoldo Cantu Sr. Elementary
- Drs. Reed & Mock Elementary
- John Doedyns Elementary
- Vida N. Clover Elementary
Middle schools in San Juan:
- Austin Middle School
- R. Yzaguirre Middle School
High schools serving San Juan:
- PSJA Early College High School
- PSJA Collegiate School of Health Professions
You should note that PSJA ISD is an open-enrollment district, meaning your children can attend any school (if seats are available), regardless of which zone you reside in.
Colleges
If you plan to attend college when living in San Juan, your options are the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), South Texas College (STC), and Texas A&M Higher Education Center at McAllen.
San Juan TX Map
Explore more to do when living in San Juan TX with this handy map.
Statistics & Information
- San Juan TX county: Hidalgo County
- San Juan TX area: 11.64 square miles
- San Juan TX zip code: 78589
- San Juan TX area code: 956
- San Juan TX elevation: 105 feet
- San Juan TX time zone: Central Time Zone (UTC-6 and -5)
- Closest airport to San Juan TX: McAllen International Airport (MFE) is 7.6 miles from San Juan TX
Moving to San Juan TX With Chapas Moving Express
Living in San Juan TX is great; the cost of living is low, and its proximity to McAllen provides access to big-city living without the hassle and price tag. When you’re ready to move to this unique and diverse city, call Chapas Moving Express at (956) 686-3247 for a free estimate. We’re top-rated San Juan movers who are ready to provide you with a hassle-free and affordable transition.
