# Living in Cockrell Hill, TX: Realust Score 70

> Source: Realust (realust.com), data as of October 2026. Cite: https://realust.com/city/cockrell-hill/

URL: https://realust.com/city/cockrell-hill/
County: Dallas
Realust Score: 70/100 (B-, Above Average), #72 of 84. Base 70 + price-tier bonus 0.
Category scores: Prosperity 64, Schools 76, Safety 68, Lifestyle 76, Market 75, Affordability 78, Commute 73, Growth 55
Median home price: $217K
Population: 3,703
Market momentum: Stable (home prices -0.1% over 1 year, +10.9% over 5 years)

Cockrell Hill offers ultra-affordable urban living in a tiny enclave completely surrounded by Dallas, attracting budget-conscious renters and buyers seeking absolute minimum pricing with immediate access to major employment corridors and central location. This remarkably small city of just 4,500 residents covers barely one square mile wedged between I-30 and I-20 southwest of downtown Dallas, providing unbeatable proximity to Love Field, Medical District, downtown, and Oak Cliff while maintaining independent municipal status and some of the lowest housing costs in the entire metroplex. The housing market features predominantly older apartments, modest single-family homes, and aging duplexes offering rock-bottom rents and purchase prices that allow renters to live centrally on tight budgets and first-time buyers to enter homeownership at price points nearly impossible elsewhere inside Dallas County, though properties generally require acceptance of dated construction, minimal yards, and working-class aesthetics over modern finishes. The community is heavily Latino with authentic taquerías, local businesses, and neighborhood character, though amenities are minimal with virtually no parks, entertainment, or retail beyond basic necessities requiring quick trips into surrounding Dallas neighborhoods. Cockrell Hill ISD serves the area as one of Texas's smallest districts with significant academic challenges demanding serious research, though the central location allows access to Dallas ISD magnet programs and private school options throughout the metro. It's perfect for young singles and roommates wanting affordable rent with short commutes to hospitality, service, or healthcare jobs throughout central Dallas, investors seeking ultra-cheap properties in appreciating central locations, and pragmatic buyers who prioritize location and price over space and polish. This requires acceptance of density, aging infrastructure, and limited community amenities, but delivers unmatched affordability with central positioning.

Strengths:
- Roughly 10–15 minutes to central Dallas
- Lower housing costs – More attainable prices than many parts of Dallas proper
- Small-town feel in the city – Tight-knit community within an urban area

Trade-offs:
- Small housing stock – Mostly older, smaller homes with limited variety
- Little room for growth or new development
- Zoning and school quality vary

Data:
- Demographics / Population: Total Population 3,703; People per sq mile 6,363; 5-Year Growth -12.7%
- Demographics / Mobility & Migration: Moved Last Year 14.3%; Same Home 1+ Year 85.7%; From Out of State 4.5%; From Different County 1.5%
- Demographics / Age Distribution: Under 18 23.3%; 25-34 13.1%; 35-44 7.0%; 65+ 11.7%; Median Age 34.6 years
- Demographics / Households: Avg Household Size 3.1; Family Households 69.7%; Homeownership Rate 58.4%; With Kids 31.9%; Married 38.2%; Single Parent 5.7%; Living Alone 22.1%; Seniors Alone 9.4%
- Demographics / Education Level: High School+ 65.3%; Bachelor's+ 10.2%; Graduate Degree 1.7%
- Demographics / Connectivity & Remote Work: Broadband Access 79.4%; Have Computer 94.3%; Work From Home 1.7%
- Real Estate / Home Prices: Per Sq Ft $193; Starter Home $170,000; Median Price $217,050; Premium Home $540,000
- Real Estate / Home Price Trends: 1-Year Change -0.1%; 5-Year Change +10.9%
- Real Estate / Market Health: Active Listings 89; Median Days on Market 47; Under Contract 18.3%; Price Reduced 15.4%; Sale-to-List Ratio 97.6%
- Real Estate / Market Insights: Balanced 4.5 mo; Income to Buy 4.2x; vs Region Avg -14%
- Real Estate / Fit Scores: Remote Work Fit 54; Family Fit 44
- Real Estate / Typical Home: Sq Ft 1,701; Beds 3.8; Baths 2; Lot Sq Ft 21,403; Year Built 1962; Garage 2-car
- Real Estate / Property Mix: Single Family 53.8%; Townhome 0%; Condo 0%
- Real Estate / Common Features: Garage 15.4%; Single Story 46.2%; Central Air 30.8%
- Real Estate / Costs & Ownership: Est. Monthly Payment $1,202; Have HOA 0%
- Real Estate / Investment Indicators: Rental Vacancy 0.8%; New Construction 7.7%; Per Bedroom $71,467
- Lifestyle / Lifestyle Scores: Area Feel Dense Suburban; Family Friendly 5.3; Outdoor Activities 5.3; Nightlife 6; Health & Fitness 3.3; Diversity 6.7; Weather 6.7
- Lifestyle / Nearby Amenities (within 5 miles): Restaurants 60+; Parks 60+; Gyms 60+; Grocery 29; Coffee 60+; Bars 60+; Theaters 3; Daycares 60+; Hospitals 42; Pharmacies 55; Dentists 60+; Libraries 8; Dog Parks 60+; Museums 7
- Lifestyle / Getting Around: Walk Score 64; Transit Score 45
- Lifestyle / Seasonal Temperatures (high / low): January 57° / 40°; April 75° / 56°; July 95° / 78°; October 78° / 59°
- Lifestyle / Annual Conditions: Sunny Days/Year 222; Rainy Days/Year 143; Annual Rainfall 53.2"
- Crime & Safety / Safety Overview: Safety Grade C+; Violent crime (per 1,000) 1.89; Property crime (per 1,000) 12.42
- Crime & Safety / Violent Crime (per 100,000): Assault 302.36; Robbery 54.98; Murder 0; Rape 0
- Crime & Safety / Property Crime (per 100,000): Burglary 219.9; Theft 2006.6; Vehicle Theft 384.83
- Job Market / Income: Median Household $52,292; Average Household $83,060; Per Capita $26,535
- Job Market / Employment: Unemployment Rate 11.1%; Job Growth (1 yr) -3.6%; Poverty Rate 11.2%
- Job Market / Income Distribution: $150k+ 17.7%; $100k-$150k 11.3%; $75k-$100k 7.2%; $50k-$75k 16.6%; $25k-$50k 30.0%; Under $25k 17.2%
- Education / School District: Primary district Dallas ISD; District Grade B+; State Ranking Top 51%
- Education / Schools: Elementary 152; Middle 42; High School 39
- Education / Academic Info: Student-Teacher Ratio 14.9:1
- Education / Graduation Rates (Class of 2024): Graduation Rate 85.5%; Dropout Rate 11.8%
- Education / College Readiness (Class of 2023): Took SAT/ACT 85%; College Ready 9.2%; TSI Ready 18.9%
- Transportation / Mobility Scores: Walk Score 64; Transit Score 45
- Transportation / Commute: Avg Minutes 29; Drive Alone 83.4%; Carpool 13.3%; Work from Home 1.7%
- Transportation / Distance To: Downtown Dallas 7.5 mi; DFW Airport 17.3 mi; Love Field 8.8 mi
- Transportation / EV Charging: Public Stations 19; DC Fast Ports 20; Level 2 Ports 34
- Cost of Living / Cost Index (100 = National Average): Overall 101; Housing 113; Utilities 97; Groceries 100; Transportation 102; Healthcare 100
- Cost of Living / Monthly Utilities: Electric $142; Water $52; Gas $44; Internet $72
- Cost of Living / Everyday Costs: Monthly Groceries (Family of 4) $823; Gas Price (per gallon) $2.82
- Cost of Living / Taxes: Sales Tax Rate 8.3%; Property Tax Rate 2.2%

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