# Living in Wilmer, TX: Realust Score 66

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

URL: https://realust.com/city/wilmer/
County: Dallas
Realust Score: 66/100 (B-, Above Average), tied for #79 of 84. Base 66 + price-tier bonus 0.
Category scores: Prosperity 55, Schools 76, Safety 53, Lifestyle 73, Market 75, Affordability 83, Commute 56, Growth 89
Median home price: $222K
Population: 6,391
Market momentum: Strong growth (home prices -2.2% over 1 year, +17.6% over 5 years)

Wilmer offers absolute rock-bottom affordability and wide-open rural character in southeastern Dallas County for buyers seeking maximum land for minimal investment. This small city of approximately 4,500 residents sits about 15 miles south of downtown Dallas along US-175, providing reasonable access to Dallas's southern industrial employment corridor while maintaining genuinely rural character with open fields, large lots, and sparse small-town feel. The housing market delivers some of the lowest prices in the entire metroplex with older homes on substantial acreage, modest properties offering renovation opportunities, and genuine land parcels allowing buyers to build, farm, or simply enjoy space impossible to afford anywhere closer to the urban core. The community attracts working-class families seeking maximum property for minimum cost, buyers wanting horses or agricultural pursuits, and those who genuinely prefer isolation and self-sufficiency over suburban neighborhood living. Wilmer-Hutchins ISD serves the area with significant academic challenges requiring serious research, though some families choose private schools while benefiting from Wilmer's housing affordability.

Strengths:
- Lower home prices – Attractive for first-time buyers and budget-focused households
- Proximity to employment hubs – Especially in logistics, manufacturing, and distribution
- Quick highway access – Easy routes into Dallas and southern DFW

Trade-offs:
- Very limited shopping & dining – Most amenities require driving to Lancaster, DeSoto, or Dallas
- Industrial surroundings – Truck traffic and nearby warehouses may impact views and noise
- School options are limited

Data:
- Demographics / Population: Total Population 6,391; People per sq mile 522; 5-Year Growth +45.8%
- Demographics / Mobility & Migration: Moved Last Year 10.2%; Same Home 1+ Year 89.8%; From Out of State 0.6%; From Different County 1.6%
- Demographics / Age Distribution: Under 18 35.5%; 25-34 21.3%; 35-44 12.5%; 65+ 8.5%; Median Age 27.8 years
- Demographics / Households: Avg Household Size 3.3; Family Households 78.9%; Homeownership Rate 58.5%; With Kids 42.5%; Married 50.5%; Single Parent 9.5%; Living Alone 20.6%; Seniors Alone 4.1%
- Demographics / Education Level: High School+ 58.1%; Bachelor's+ 15.8%; Graduate Degree 6.0%
- Demographics / Connectivity & Remote Work: Broadband Access 86.9%; Have Computer 100.0%; Work From Home 2.4%
- Real Estate / Home Prices: Per Sq Ft $160; Starter Home $224,874; Median Price $222,403; Premium Home $279,769
- Real Estate / Home Price Trends: 1-Year Change -2.2%; 5-Year Change +17.6%
- Real Estate / Market Health: Active Listings 14; Median Days on Market 80; Under Contract 26.3%; Price Reduced 15%; Sale-to-List Ratio 100.5%
- Real Estate / Market Insights: Cheaper to Buy $655/mo; Seller's market 2.8 mo; Rental Yield 10.2%; Income to Buy 3.7x; vs Region Avg -29%
- Real Estate / Fit Scores: Remote Work Fit 58; Family Fit 53; Investment 100
- Real Estate / Typical Home: Sq Ft 1,404; Beds 3.3; Baths 1.9; Lot Sq Ft 55,987; Year Built 2015; Garage 2-car
- Real Estate / Property Mix: Single Family 82.5%; Townhome 0%; Condo 0%
- Real Estate / Common Features: Garage 70%; Single Story 87.5%; Central Air 55%
- Real Estate / Costs & Ownership: Est. Monthly Payment $1,232; Median Rent $1,887; Avg HOA Fee $72/mo; Have HOA 45%
- Real Estate / Investment Indicators: Rental Vacancy 0%; New Construction 72.5%; Per Bedroom $76,519
- Lifestyle / Lifestyle Scores: Area Feel Sparse Suburban; Family Friendly 4.7; Outdoor Activities 5.3; Nightlife 5.3; Health & Fitness 3.3; Diversity 8; Weather 6.7
- Lifestyle / Nearby Amenities (within 5 miles): Restaurants 60+; Parks 24; Gyms 3; Grocery 1; Coffee 10; Bars 5; Daycares 60+; Hospitals 3; Pharmacies 1; Dentists 4; Libraries 4; Dog Parks 60+; Museums 1
- Lifestyle / Getting Around: Walk Score 11; Bike Score 29
- Lifestyle / Seasonal Temperatures (high / low): January 58° / 40°; April 75° / 56°; July 95° / 78°; October 78° / 59°
- Lifestyle / Annual Conditions: Sunny Days/Year 212; Rainy Days/Year 153; Annual Rainfall 55"
- Crime & Safety / Safety Overview: Safety Grade C+; Violent crime (per 1,000) 3.91; Property crime (per 1,000) 26.13
- Crime & Safety / Violent Crime (per 100,000): Assault 310.15; Robbery 29.54; Murder 0; Rape 0
- Crime & Safety / Property Crime (per 100,000): Burglary 502.14; Theft 1122.43; Vehicle Theft 369.22
- Job Market / Income: Median Household $59,626; Average Household $80,192; Per Capita $23,339
- Job Market / Employment: Unemployment Rate 14.4%; Job Growth (1 yr) +3.1%; Poverty Rate 32.7%
- Job Market / Income Distribution: $150k+ 6.0%; $100k-$150k 11.8%; $75k-$100k 19.1%; $50k-$75k 34.1%; $25k-$50k 20.7%; Under $25k 8.3%
- 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 11; Bike Score 29
- Transportation / Commute: Avg Minutes 33; Drive Alone 93.1%; Carpool 3.4%; Work from Home 2.4%
- Transportation / Distance To: Downtown Dallas 17 mi; DFW Airport 34.5 mi; Love Field 23.8 mi
- Transportation / EV Charging: Public Stations 2; DC Fast Ports 4; Level 2 Ports 2
- 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%

More: compare Wilmer with any city at https://realust.com/compare/ · all cities at https://realust.com/cities/ · site guide at https://realust.com/llms.txt