Is Big Spring Safe, Pros and cons of living in Big Spring

Big Spring, Texas, is a city situated in West Texas, offering a unique blend of a slower pace of life with the conveniences of modern living. Located at the intersection of major highways, it serves as a central hub for commerce and community in its region. The city is known for its rich history and its welcoming atmosphere, making it a place where residents can find both affordability and a sense of belonging.

This guide aims to provide a comprehensive overview for those considering a move to Big Spring. It delves into various aspects of life in the city, from safety and cost of living to employment opportunities and community amenities. By examining these key factors, individuals can gain a clearer understanding of what Big Spring has to offer and determine if it aligns with their lifestyle preferences and needs.

Is it Safe to Live in Big Spring?

Crime Overview

Big Spring experiences a crime rate that is notably higher than both the state and national averages. The overall crime rate in Big Spring is 67.4% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). Specifically, violent crimes are 112.3% higher than the national average, with a rate of 762 per 100,000 residents (as reported by AreaVibes). The chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in Big Spring is 1 in 139 (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

Property crime rates are also a concern, being 58.3% higher than the national average, with a rate of 2786 per 100,000 people (as reported by AreaVibes). NeighborhoodScout analysis of FBI crime data indicates a particularly high rate of motor vehicle theft in the city. Residents generally consider the northeast part of the city to be the safest, with crime rates varying significantly by neighborhood (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).

Safety Perceptions and Statistics

Big Spring has an overall crime rate of 33 per one thousand residents, placing it among the higher crime rates in America when compared to communities of all sizes (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Within Texas, over 95% of communities have a lower crime rate than Big Spring. When compared to similar-sized communities, Big Spring’s crime rate is considerably above average (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

The city’s crime rate is 52.31 per 1,000 residents in a typical year, and it ranks in the 8th percentile for safety, meaning it is safer than only 8% of U.S. cities (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). The cost of crime per resident in Big Spring is $777 annually, which is higher than both the national and Texas state averages (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).

Cost of Living in Big Spring

Affordability Index

Big Spring offers a cost of living that is significantly lower than the national average. The city boasts a cost-of-living index of approximately 75, meaning it is about 25% more affordable than the national average (index of 100) (as reported by Livability.com). It is also approximately 7% below the Texas state average (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute). This affordability extends to various aspects of daily expenses.

The overall cost of living in Big Spring is 12% less expensive than the national average and 4% less expensive than the average city in Texas (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute). This makes it an attractive option for individuals and families looking to stretch their budgets further.

Housing Costs

Housing prices in Big Spring are notably affordable, contributing significantly to the city’s low cost of living. The median home value in Big Spring is around $124,000, which is substantially lower than the national average (as reported by Livability.com). For comparison, the national median home value is around $338,000 (as reported by Livability.com).

The median home price in Big Spring is $133,000, with a reported year-over-year decrease of 10.1% (as of December 2025) (as reported by Prop:Metrics). This trend suggests a cooling housing market, potentially offering good value for prospective buyers. The median listing price for homes in Big Spring is $199,000 (as reported by Realtor.com).

Rental Market

Renting in Big Spring is also considerably more affordable than the national average. The average rent in Big Spring is $945 per month, which is 42% lower than the national average rent of $1,642 per month (as reported by Apartments.com). This affordability makes Big Spring an attractive option for renters seeking to minimize housing expenses.

As of April 2026, the median rent for all bedroom counts and property types in Big Spring is $1,149, which is 41% lower than the national average (as reported by Zumper). A one-bedroom apartment averages around $799, while a two-bedroom apartment is approximately $1,149 (as reported by Zumper). Houses for rent have a higher average monthly cost of $1,350 (as reported by Zumper).

Everyday Expenses

Beyond housing, other daily expenses in Big Spring are also generally lower than the national average. Food costs in Big Spring are as affordable as the average in the United States (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute). Transportation costs are also less expensive than the U.S. average, earning a high score for affordability (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute).

Healthcare costs in Big Spring are also less expensive than the national average (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute). These combined lower costs for essential goods and services contribute to Big Spring’s overall appeal as an affordable place to live.

Job Market and Economy

Major Employers and Industries

The economy of Big Spring is supported by a diverse range of industries and employers. The largest industries in Big Spring include Health Care & Social Assistance, Educational Services, and Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction (as reported by Data USA). These sectors provide a significant number of jobs for the local population.

Key employers in Big Spring include healthcare facilities like Scenic Mountain Medical Center and Big State Hospital, educational institutions such as Howard College, and government entities like Howard County and the City of Big Spring (as reported by Big Spring Economic Development Corp.). Delek US Holdings is a notable employer in the oil and gas sector (as reported by Big Spring Economic Development Corp.).

Employment and Unemployment

As of the latest data, the economy of Big Spring employs approximately 13.5k people (as reported by Data USA). The unemployment rate in Big Spring was 4.40% as of the most recent monthly data, which is lower than the long-term average of 5.57% (as reported by YCharts). This indicates a relatively stable job market for the area.

Between 2023 and 2024, employment in Big Spring saw a slight decline of 1.19%, with the number of employees decreasing from 13.7k to 13.5k (as reported by Data USA). The labor force in Big Spring consists of 9,140 people, with an unemployment rate of 3.8% (as reported by Big Spring Economic Development Corp.).

Salaries and Wages

The average annual salary in Big Spring is approximately $49,474, which equates to about $23.79 per hour (as of April 2026) (as reported by ZipRecruiter). Most salaries in Big Spring range between $34,934 (25th percentile) and $61,034 (75th percentile) annually (as reported by ZipRecruiter).

The median household income in Big Spring was reported as $67,581 in 2024 (as reported by U.S. Census Bureau via Point2Homes). However, another source indicates a median individual income of $34,455 in 2024 (as reported by Data Commons). The median household income is also reported as $69,708 (as reported by Livability.com).

Climate and Weather

Temperature Averages

Big Spring experiences a climate characterized by hot summers and cold winters. Throughout the year, temperatures typically range from a low of 31°F to a high of 96°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The warmest month is July, with an average high of 96°F and an average low of 72°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

In contrast, the coldest month is January, with an average high of 58°F and an average low of 31°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). Temperature variations between day and night are moderate, with differences reaching up to 23°F in the summer and 27°F in the winter (as reported by IDcide).

Precipitation and Snowfall

The annual precipitation in Big Spring averages around 19 inches (as reported by myPerfectWeather). Rainfall is distributed fairly evenly throughout the year, with September being the wettest month, averaging about 3.51 inches of precipitation (as reported by IDcide). This includes both rain and the liquid equivalent of snow, hail, and freezing rain.

Big Spring receives an average of 2 inches of snowfall annually (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The humidity level remains comfortable during the summer months, contributing to a pleasant environment (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Education and Schools

School District Overview

Big Spring, TX is served by the Big Spring Independent School District. This public school district serves approximately 3,451 students across 9 schools (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). The student-teacher ratio within the district is 13 students per classroom, which is better than the Texas state average of 15 students per classroom (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

However, the district’s overall academic performance has faced challenges. According to state test scores, only 36% of students are proficient in math and 44% are proficient in reading (as reported by Niche). The district received a “C+” overall Niche grade, with an average ranking in the bottom 50% of Texas public schools (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

School Performance

Big Spring public schools have an average math proficiency score of 39%, compared to the Texas public school average of 44%. The average reading proficiency score is 40%, below the statewide average of 51% (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). The district’s performance has been a concern, with past ratings from the Texas Education Agency including “academically unacceptable” and “Improvement Required” (as reported by Wikipedia).

Top-ranked public schools in Big Spring include Goliad Elementary School, Washington Elementary School, and Big Spring Intermediate School (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Minority enrollment in Big Spring schools is 78% of the student body, with a majority being Hispanic, which is higher than the Texas public school average (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

Demographics

Population and Age Distribution

Big Spring has a population of approximately 22,257 residents (as reported by Livability.com). The population is currently declining, with a projected rate of -2.9% annually (as reported by US Census Bureau via Big Spring Demographics). The median age in Big Spring is 36.4 years (as reported by Data Commons).

The age distribution shows that about 16.9% of the population are children under 15, while 12.1% are 65 or older (as reported by Point2Homes). Adults between 25 and 44 make up 33% of the population, indicating a significant working-age demographic (as reported by Point2Homes).

Racial and Ethnic Makeup

The racial composition of Big Spring includes a majority Hispanic population, followed by White and Black residents. Hispanic residents make up 53.2% of the population, while White residents constitute 36.1%, and Black residents account for 5.5% (as reported by Big Spring Demographics). Other racial groups are present in smaller percentages.

In terms of citizenship, 92.1% of Big Spring residents are citizens, which is slightly lower than the national average of 93.2% (as reported by Data USA). Approximately 9.83% of residents were born outside the country (as reported by Data USA).

Pros and Cons of Living in Big Spring

Advantages of Big Spring

Big Spring offers a significantly lower cost of living compared to national and state averages, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious individuals and families (as reported by Livability.com). Housing costs, both for purchasing and renting, are particularly affordable, providing a substantial financial benefit (as reported by Zumper, Livability.com).

The job market, while experiencing some fluctuations, offers opportunities in key sectors like healthcare and education (as reported by Data USA). Additionally, the city provides a more relaxed pace of life, which can be appealing to those seeking a respite from the hustle and bustle of larger metropolitan areas.

Challenges of Big Spring

A significant concern for Big Spring is its higher-than-average crime rates, particularly for violent and property crimes (as reported by AreaVibes, NeighborhoodScout). This elevated risk requires residents to be vigilant and aware of their surroundings. The educational system in Big Spring also presents challenges, with lower-than-average proficiency scores and past accreditation issues for the school district (as reported by NeighborhoodScout, Wikipedia).

The city’s population has been in decline, which can sometimes impact economic growth and community development. While job opportunities exist, the average salaries may not be as high as in larger urban centers, requiring careful financial planning (as reported by ZipRecruiter).