Is Nacogdoches Safe, Pros and cons of living in Nacogdoches

Is it Safe to Live in Nacogdoches?

Nacogdoches presents a mixed safety profile, with certain crime categories falling above national averages. The city recorded a total of 3,379 violent crimes and 3,666 property crimes over a recent five-year period (as reported by FBI Crime Data Explorer). The average violent crime rate stands at 175.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 65.1% above the national average (as reported by FBI Crime Data Explorer). Property crime averages 150.3 per 100,000 residents, showing a rate that is 8.1% below the national average (as reported by FBI Crime Data Explorer).

While the overall crime rate in Nacogdoches is reported to be 20% lower than the national average (according to AreaVibes), specific crime types warrant attention. Violent crime in Nacogdoches occurs at a rate higher than in most communities of all population sizes in America, with a chance of becoming a victim of violent crime at 1 in 421 (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Conversely, the chance of becoming a victim of property crime is 1 in 68 (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). When considering daily crime, Nacogdoches has a total daily crime rate that is 1.44 times less than the Texas average and 1.25 times less than the national average (according to AreaVibes).

Cost of Living and Housing

Nacogdoches offers a cost of living that is generally lower than both the state and national averages. The overall cost of living in Nacogdoches, TX is 10.4% lower than the national average (as reported by Apartments.com). Housing expenses are a significant factor in this affordability, with Nacogdoches’s housing expenses being 23% lower than the national average (as reported by Payscale).

The median home price in Nacogdoches County was $280,000 in March 2026, showing a year-over-year increase of 22.3% (as reported by Redfin). In Nacogdoches itself, the median listing price for a home was $360,000 in March 2026, reflecting a substantial 57.2% increase since the previous year (as reported by Redfin). For renters, the average rent in Nacogdoches is approximately $1,200 per month (as of April 2026) (as reported by Zillow). A one-bedroom apartment averages around $800 per month, while a two-bedroom apartment can be expected to cost about $1,200 monthly (as reported by Zillow).

Job Market and Economy

The employment landscape in Nacogdoches is characterized by a diverse range of major employers. Key institutions include Pilgrim’s Pride with approximately 1,700 employees, and Stephen F. Austin State University, which employs around 1,418 individuals (as reported by Charles Pool Real Estate). Other significant employers include Nacogdoches Independent School District (1,002 employees), Nacogdoches County Hospital District (818 employees), and Etech (500 employees) (as reported by Charles Pool Real Estate).

The average salary for jobs in Nacogdoches, Texas, is reported to be $60,056 per year, or approximately $29 per hour (as reported by ERI SalaryExpert). However, other sources indicate a median income of $41,000 annually or $19.00 per hour (as reported by Zippia). The unemployment rate in Nacogdoches County was 4.8% in 2026 (as reported by Data Commons). More recent data indicates the unemployment rate in Nacogdoches, TX, is 4.90% as of April 2026 (as reported by YCharts).

Climate and Weather

Nacogdoches experiences a climate with hot, oppressive summers and short, cold, and wet winters. The hot season typically lasts from late May to mid-September, with average daily high temperatures exceeding 86°F. August is generally the hottest month, with average highs around 93°F and lows near 71°F (as reported by Weather Spark). The cool season spans from late November to late February, with average daily high temperatures below 65°F. January is typically the coldest month, with average lows around 39°F and highs near 59°F (as reported by Weather Spark).

The average annual precipitation in Nacogdoches is approximately 49.8 inches (as reported by NOAA). July tends to be the driest month, with around 2.9 inches of rain, while December often sees the most precipitation, averaging about 4.8 inches (as reported by NOAA). The city rarely experiences temperatures below 25°F or above 99°F throughout the year (as reported by Weather Spark).

Education and Schools

The Nacogdoches Independent School District serves the city, offering education from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. The district has a B-minus overall Niche grade, with a rating of 3.76 out of 5 based on numerous reviews (as reported by Niche). Within the district, Nacogdoches High School serves students in grades 9-12 and has a B-minus rating from Niche (as reported by Niche). State test scores indicate that 15% of students at Nacogdoches High School are proficient in math and 42% are proficient in reading (as reported by Niche).

Other school districts in the vicinity include Central Heights Independent School District, which holds a rating of 3.95 out of 5, and Woden Independent School District, rated at 3.58 out of 5 (as reported by Niche). Stephen F. Austin State University is a significant higher education institution in Nacogdoches, awarding 2,694 degrees in 2023 (as reported by Data USA).

Demographics and Diversity

Nacogdoches, Texas, is home to a population of approximately 65,200 residents as of 2024 (as reported by Data Commons). The city’s population is predominantly White (Non-Hispanic), making up about 37.2k individuals, which is 3.47 times more than any other race or ethnicity (as reported by Data USA). Black or African American residents number around 10.7k, and those identifying with Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) are approximately 6.37k (as reported by Data USA).

The median age in Nacogdoches County was 31.9 years in 2024 (as reported by Data Commons), with a significant portion of the population in the younger age brackets. Approximately 16.9% of residents are children under 15, and 32.5% fall between the ages of 15 and 24 (as reported by Point2Homes). The Hispanic population constitutes 21.6% of the city’s residents (as reported by Data USA). As of 2024, 94.6% of Nacogdoches, TX residents were U.S. citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2% (as reported by Data USA).