C

Clute, TX

Source:

Affordability Score: 58/100

Population: 15,639 · 1 ZIP codes

The affordability dashboard for Clute, TX aggregates Census ACS 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code covering 15,639 residents, then layers in county-level federal data to produce an overall grade of C (58/100). The headline inputs are median household income of $73,240, median home value of $260,800, median rent of $1,178 per month, and 17.3% of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher. These four metrics alone explain most of the variance between city dashboards.

Cross-agency feeds widen the picture beyond Census demographics. HUD publishes a Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in this county at $1,359 per month (studio $1,080, 1BR $1,240, 3BR $1,839, 4BR $2,280). Department of Labor data lists infant center-based childcare at $9,620 per year, consuming 13% of the local median household income.

Reading the overall grade requires reading all seven dimensions together. The score weights Income 20%, Safety 20%, Housing 15%, Rent 15%, Education 10%, Commute 10%, and Childcare 10%, with each sub-score benchmarked against national percentiles rather than state averages — so the grade is genuinely comparable across any city in the country. Pressure points are education. Unemployment currently reads 8.2% and poverty 8.4% — numbers worth keeping alongside the headline grade.

Score Breakdown

Income C+
$73,240
Median household income
Education F
17.3%
Bachelor's degree or higher
Housing D
3.6x
Home value $260,800 vs income
Commute B
21 min
Average commute time
Rent B
$1,359/mo
2BR fair market rent (22% of income)
Safety N/A
N/A
Violent crime rate (county)
Childcare C
$9,620/yr
Center-based infant care (13% of income)

Income & Employment

Median Income
$73,240
▲ 18% vs national
Per Capita Income
$36,928
Unemployment Rate
8.2%
Poverty Rate
8.4%

Housing

Median Home Value
$260,800
▼ 5% vs national
Median Rent
$1,178/mo
Owner Occupied
52.3%
2BR Fair Market Rent
$1,359/mo
▲ 13% vs national

Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,080
1BR
$1,240
2BR
$1,359
3BR
$1,839
4BR
$2,280

Safety

Violent Crime Rate
Data Source
FBI UCR (county-level)

Education & Family

Bachelor's Degree+
17.3%
▼ 13 ppt vs national
High School+
48.1%
Median Age
32.2
Avg. Commute
21 min
▼ 5 min vs national

Childcare Costs

Infant (Center)
$9,620/yr
13% of income
Toddler (Center)
$8,944/yr
Preschool (Center)
$8,684/yr
School-Age (Center)
$8,112/yr

What This Means

Clute, TX receives an overall affordability grade of C (58/100), aggregated from 1 ZIP codes with a total population of 15,639. Challenges include education. Data was unavailable for safety — these dimensions were excluded from the overall score.

Nearby City Dashboards

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What are common questions about this dashboard?

Is Clute, TX affordable?
Clute, TX receives an overall affordability grade of C (58/100) based on Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data. Median household income is $73,240. Median home value is $260,800.
What is the cost of living in Clute?
Key cost metrics: Median rent $1,178/mo. 2BR fair market rent $1,359/mo. Infant childcare $9,620/yr. Median home value $260,800.
How is the affordability score calculated?
The score evaluates 7 dimensions weighted by importance: Income (20%), Safety (20%), Housing (15%), Rent (15%), Education (10%), Commute (10%), and Childcare (10%). Each metric is compared against national percentile benchmarks from Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data.

Data as of 2024. Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates. Source: HUD Fair Market Rents. Source: FBI Uniform Crime Report. Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices. Verify with HUD →