Living in Big Spring, Texas: A Complete Relocation Guide
Permian Basin · Texas

Living in Big Spring, Texas
(2026 Complete Guide)

What Is Living in Big Spring, Texas Like?

You've probably been priced out of Midland, or someone in the oil patch mentioned Big Spring as a place where your dollar still means something. What surprises most people who actually move here is the landscape: Big Spring doesn't sit on flat West Texas scrubland — it rises up through a rocky gorge between two high foothills of the Caprock escarpment, with Big Spring State Park perched on a 200-foot bluff above the city. I-20 and US-87 intersect right in the heart of town, making it the largest city in a wide radius, with Midland to the west, Abilene to the east, Lubbock to the north, and San Angelo to the south. The geography shapes everything — the views, the wind, and the way the city feels more substantial than a place of 22,290 people typically does.

The economic backbone here is deliberately diversified, which insulates Big Spring from the worst of the Permian Basin's boom-bust swings. Big Spring Independent School District — with 3,110 students enrolled in 2025-26 — is one of the largest employers in the city alongside the George H. O'Brien, Jr., VA Medical Center, Big Spring State Hospital, Howard College, and Tokai Carbon CB's chemical manufacturing plant. The City of Big Spring itself rounds out the public-sector anchor. Energy remains a regional undercurrent — the broader Permian Basin economy has been adding jobs faster than the national average — but residents here aren't solely dependent on the price of a barrel. People move to Big Spring because they want a stable public-sector or healthcare job, a genuinely affordable home, and a community with real roots.

The cost-of-living story here is hard to overstate. The typical home price sits at $147,462 (July 2026), and the median household income of $67,581 is at or above the income needed to buy that typical home — a combination that's increasingly rare in Texas. Typical rent runs $1,233 per month. Housing costs are the biggest driver of the city's affordability advantage over both Texas and national averages. Outside your front door: Big Spring State Park draws crowds from across the region, Comanche Trail Park has the only rolling-hills golf course in West Texas, and Moss Creek Lake — a 400-acre reservoir just outside city limits — covers everything from boating to camping to a swimming beach. Big Spring has 262 sunny days a year, which means most of that outdoor infrastructure gets year-round use.

Whether you're weighing a move here after a job offer from the VA Medical Center or Howard College, or you're a first-time buyer who's done the math and wants a home you can actually afford, the sections below break down Big Spring's neighborhoods, housing market, commute patterns, local economy, and what daily life here is really like.

Big Spring scenery

Big Spring at a Glance

22,290
Population
$46,000
Min. income to rent comfortably
$43,603
Min. income to buy a home
95°F
Avg. summer high
262
Sunny days per year
40 min
Avg. commute to Midland, TX

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Why Are People Moving to Big Spring?

The honest pitch for Big Spring is short: stable jobs, low home prices, and a West Texas community that's been here long enough to have real character. That combination is genuinely rare in today's Texas market, and it draws a specific kind of buyer — one who's done the spreadsheet and decided that affordability isn't a compromise if the job and the community are solid.

The Employer Base That Anchors Everything

Big Spring's largest employers cut across sectors in a way that makes the local economy more resilient than a pure oil town. Big Spring Independent School District anchors the education sector. The George H. O'Brien, Jr., VA Medical Center is a full federal healthcare facility serving veterans across a wide region — not a clinic, but a genuine medical center with stable federal employment. Big Spring State Hospital provides behavioral health services and represents another significant state-government payroll. Howard College adds higher-education jobs and brings students into the local economy.

On the industrial side, Tokai Carbon CB operates a chemical manufacturing facility that represents the kind of private-sector manufacturing anchor smaller Texas cities rarely attract. Energy-sector work — field services, refining, logistics — flows through the region as the Permian Basin continues to outpace national job-growth figures. Construction and wholesale trade wages here have been running well above the city's median, which matters when you're deciding whether to put down roots.

Who Actually Moves Here

The people relocating to Big Spring tend to fall into a few clear categories. Healthcare and government workers taking positions at the VA Medical Center or State Hospital, often coming from Midland or even out of state, make up a consistent stream. Military-connected families drawn by the VA and the city's long history as an Air Force community — Webb Air Force Base shaped this town for decades — find the culture familiar. First-time buyers priced out of Midland discover that the affordability picture here looks like another era compared to the Midland market. And remote workers who need a Texas address with low overhead are showing up with increasing frequency.

The Honest Tradeoffs

Big Spring carries a violent crime rate of 7.2 per 1,000 residents and a property crime rate of 26.3 per 1,000 residents, both above state and national benchmarks. See the safety page for a full breakdown by area. This is something newcomers should research before buying, and neighborhood choice matters more here than it would in a lower-crime market.

The school district holds a C rating, according to the Texas Education Agency — a point worth weighing honestly if schools are a deciding factor in your move. On 2024-25 state assessments, 40% of students reached math proficiency and 43% reached reading proficiency. The district does maintain active UIL athletics programs, the Steers have a following, and Friday night football genuinely fills the stands. But the full schools picture deserves a careful read before you decide.

What Daily Life Feels Like in Big Spring

Six months in, most newcomers say the same thing: it's quieter than they expected, and bigger than it looks from the highway. Big Spring functions as a regional hub — it draws shoppers, diners, and medical patients from Coahoma, Stanton, Forsan, and the surrounding ranch communities, which means the local commercial base is somewhat more developed than a city this size would typically support.

The Pace and the People

The median age is 36.4, which puts Big Spring solidly in working-family territory. This isn't a retirement community or a college town, though Howard College adds some of that energy on its side of the city. The social fabric tilts toward multigenerational West Texas families, VA employees who've settled in after years of service, and a steady rotation of workers tied to the regional energy economy.

Thirteen percent of families here live in poverty — a real figure that reflects the gap between the city's stable anchor employers and its service-industry wage base. The two economies exist side by side, and that's worth understanding before you assume the low home prices mean everyone is comfortable. They don't.

What the Week Actually Looks Like

Most errands happen by car. The commercial corridor along I-20 handles the bulk of grocery, hardware, and retail needs, and a serious specialty shopping trip means driving out of town. The downtown area has been revitalized in a meaningful way since Hotel Settles reopened — the Big Spring Downtown Historic District earned its National Register listing — and there's genuine foot traffic around the historic core on evenings and weekends. But this is not a walkable city in the urban sense; it's a West Texas town where you drive to most things and park without thinking about it.

The cultural calendar is more active than most newcomers anticipate. The Big Spring Symphony has been performing since 1981 with a 50-plus-member ensemble. The Hall Center for the Arts at Howard College brings theater, dance, film, and lectures to a community that would otherwise need to drive to Midland for that kind of programming. The annual Big Spring Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo is a genuine community event — not a tourist production — with a parade, rodeo competition, and live music that draws people from across Howard County.

The Seasonal Reality

West Texas wind is the thing nobody warns you about adequately. Big Spring sits at roughly 2,440 feet on the edge of the Caprock escarpment, and the wind is a near-constant presence — occasionally beautiful, occasionally relentless. Spring brings the strongest gusts and some dramatic dust storms that roll in from the southwest. Summers are hot and dry, which 262 sunny days a year makes predictable. Winters are mild by most Texas standards but can deliver a sharp freeze that catches people from the Gulf Coast off guard. The upside of the elevation and the dry air: the nights cool down even in summer, and the stars are extraordinary.

The Big Spring Housing Market Right Now

The number that defines this market is $147,462 — the typical home price as of July 2026, according to the Zillow Home Value Index. In a state where the median has been pushed steadily upward by Austin and DFW, Big Spring represents the affordable end of the Texas spectrum in a way that still surprises buyers arriving from larger metros.

What That Price Buys You

At that price point, buyers are generally looking at older single-family homes on established lots — 1950s and 1960s construction is common, with the larger and more recently built stock concentrated in the College Heights and West Cliff areas. The housing stock is largely owner-occupied single-family, with a smaller rental market running a typical $1,233 per month. Some areas of the city command more than that city-wide figure; others come in below it. The neighborhood page covers the character and feel of each area in detail.

The Affordability Reality

The median household income here is $67,581, and that income is at or above what's needed to qualify for the typical home. That's a meaningful statement in a Texas market where affordability has become the defining issue. Well-priced homes in Big Spring don't sit on the market indefinitely, but this is not a bidding-war market either — buyers here generally have room to negotiate and conduct proper due diligence.

For buyers thinking about the full cost picture — including the effective property tax rate of 1.58% and what utilities and groceries add to the monthly number — that page covers it in full. Housing is the biggest reason Big Spring's overall cost of living runs below both Texas and national averages.

What to Know Before You Buy

Big Spring is car-dependent, which means lot size and garage space matter more here than they would in a walkable metro. The older housing stock means buyers should budget for thorough inspections — systems in homes from this era vary considerably. Some parts of the city carry more risk than others from a safety standpoint, which reinforces the value of understanding neighborhood character before making an offer rather than shopping purely on price.

Big Spring Neighborhoods

Big Spring has several distinct areas — each with its own character and appeal. Here’s a breakdown to help you narrow down where to focus your home search.

🏡 Kentwood

Kentwood is an established residential area with a mix of mid-century homes and owner-occupied lots that appeal to buyers looking for a settled, quiet neighborhood. It draws longtime Big Spring families and buyers who want a community feel without the newness of outer-ring development.

🏠 Park Hill

Park Hill lives up to its name with slightly elevated terrain and a residential character that tends toward larger lots and older, well-established homes. It suits buyers who want a sense of place and proximity to the city's central amenities without being in the thick of the commercial corridor.

🌳 Edwards Heights

Edwards Heights is a quiet, residential pocket that tends to attract working families and buyers drawn to its manageable scale and neighborhood cohesion. The housing stock reflects Big Spring's mid-twentieth-century construction era, with room for buyers who want to put in some updating work.

🏘 Wasson Place

Wasson Place is a solidly residential area that suits buyers looking for a straightforward single-family neighborhood with easy access to the city's core. The area has a stable, owner-occupied feel and attracts buyers prioritizing value and functionality over neighborhood prestige.

🏔 West Cliff

West Cliff tends toward some of the more recent residential construction in Big Spring, with larger lots and a slightly more spacious feel than the older central neighborhoods. It draws families and buyers who want more square footage and newer systems without leaving the city.

🌆 College Heights

College Heights sits in proximity to Howard College, which gives it a mix of faculty households, students, and established families who've been in the area for decades. The neighborhood has an active, community-oriented feel and is one of the more recognizable addresses in Big Spring for newcomers connected to the college.

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Pros & Cons of Living in Big Spring

The Pros

  • Housing costs well below the national and Texas averages
  • Stable base of government, healthcare, and energy-sector employment
  • Historic, walkable downtown anchored by the landmark Hotel Settles
  • Central West Texas location at the crossroads of I-20 and US-87

The Cons

  • Crime rates are notably higher than national and state averages
  • Limited private-sector job diversity outside government, corrections, and oil-field work
  • Hot, dry, wind-swept summers with sparse tree cover

Getting Around & Commuting in Big Spring

Big Spring is built around the car, and the good news is that it's a small enough city that internal traffic rarely becomes the kind of problem that defines daily life in larger metros. The intersection of I-20 and US-87 puts most of the city within a five-to-ten-minute drive of wherever you need to be within city limits.

The Commute Geography

I-20 is the main artery for anyone commuting west toward the Midland-Odessa area. The drive runs about 40 minutes to Midland, TX — manageable for workers making that trip daily, and common among Big Spring residents who hold healthcare, professional, or energy-sector positions in the Permian Basin's larger metros. US-87 connects north toward Lubbock and south toward San Angelo for less frequent regional travel. TX-176 and TX-350 connect to the smaller communities in Howard County, handling the local and county road network through the older parts of the city.

Who Commutes and Why

A meaningful share of Big Spring residents work locally — the VA Medical Center, State Hospital, Howard College, and the school district are all within the city — and the internal commute is genuinely short. For those working in Midland's energy or healthcare sectors, the 40-minute run on I-20 is the standard trade they make for housing costs that are noticeably lower than Midland's. That trade works better for some job types than others; daily round trips add up, while hybrid schedules make it much more sustainable.

Air Travel

Midland International Air and Space Port (MAF) is about 40 minutes west on I-20 and serves as the practical commercial airport for Big Spring residents. For most travel needs — connecting to Dallas, Houston, or beyond — MAF handles it without requiring the longer drive to Lubbock or Abilene. Big Spring itself does not have commercial air service.

Getting Around Locally

Within Big Spring, a car is the practical tool for nearly every errand. The downtown historic core is compact enough to cover on foot once you're parked, and Big Spring State Park's paved loop is a genuine walking and cycling resource. But grocery runs, school pickups, medical appointments, and most daily tasks require driving. This is the norm across West Texas, and most residents are accustomed to it — but buyers coming from a more urban background should factor it into their decision.

Schools in Big Spring

Families relocating to Big Spring have public, private, and higher-education options nearby. Here’s a quick overview.

🎓 School District

Big Spring Independent School District serves K–12 students across Big Spring and the surrounding area. Rated C (source: Texas Education Agency, 2025 A-F accountability rating (2024-25 school year)).

🏆 Graduation Rate

The 4-year high-school graduation rate here is approximately 90%.

📚 Higher Education

Texas’s public universities — the University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University, and the University of Houston — offer four-year degrees statewide, with one of the largest community college systems in the country (50+ public community college districts) providing two-year and workforce programs.

🌐 Online Learning

UT Austin Online and Texas A&M University Online offer fully accredited online degrees for remote learners across the state.

Safety in Big Spring

A quick look at how Big Spring compares on the numbers that matter most when weighing a neighborhood or a move.

🛡 Violent Crime

Approximately 7.2 per 1,000 residents.

🔒 Property Crime

Approximately 26.3 per 1,000 residents.

Compared to the most recent national figures from the Bureau of Justice Statistics (2024), Big Spring’s violent crime is above the national average (about 3.7 per 1,000), and property crime is above the national average (about 18.4 per 1,000).

Against Texas as a whole, Big Spring’s violent crime is about double the state average, and property crime is somewhat above the state average (Bureau of Justice Statistics, Crime Known to Law Enforcement, 2024 (tables 2 and 3)).

Crime rates can vary a lot within a single city, so the citywide numbers above are only a starting point. Some neighborhoods in Big Spring run well below these averages, while others run higher — the kind of block-by-block detail that matters most when you’re actually choosing where to live. The full guide below breaks it down neighborhood by neighborhood.

Working in Big Spring

Big Spring’s largest employers span several industries — here are some of the anchors of the local job market.

🎓 Big Spring Independent School District

Education

🏛 City of Big Spring

Municipal government

💼 George H. O'Brien

💼 Jr.

🏥 VA Medical Center

Federal healthcare

🏥 Big Spring State Hospital

State behavioral health

🎓 Howard College

Higher education

🏭 Tokai Carbon CB

Chemical manufacturing

Parks & Recreation in Big Spring

Some of the outdoor spaces that shape everyday life in Big Spring.

🌱 Big Spring State Park

state park

🌱 Comanche Trail Park

Big Spring residents don’t have to go far for green space — spots like Big Spring State Park and Comanche Trail Park are part of everyday life here, whether that’s a morning walk, a weekend hike, or just somewhere to unwind outside. The full guide below covers more of what Big Spring has to offer for parks and outdoor recreation.

Big Spring

Retiring in Big Spring

Big Spring draws retirees for its balance of amenities, outdoor access, and cost. Here’s what to weigh.

🌤 Climate

Big Spring averages 262 sunny days a year at an elevation of roughly 2,440 feet, giving it dry, clear winters that are milder than most of the country. Summers are consistently hot, spring brings gusty wind and occasional dust storms from the west, and nights cool down reliably even in the warmest months. The dry air is easier on joints than Gulf Coast humidity, which many retirees relocating from coastal Texas find immediately noticeable.

🍴 Lifestyle

Retirees here have access to the Big Spring Symphony, the Hall Center for the Arts at Howard College, and Hangar 25 Air Museum — a particularly strong draw for veterans and military-connected retirees given its history as part of the Big Spring Army Air Force Bombardier School. Comanche Trail Park's golf course, Moss Creek Lake, and Big Spring State Park give active retirees genuine outdoor options. The pace of daily life is unhurried, and the community tends to be neighborly in the way smaller Texas cities historically have been.

🏚 55+ Communities

No 55+ communities were found in Big Spring. Retirees looking for that specific housing type will need to look toward larger nearby markets. The city does have a range of single-family homes at accessible price points and a regional health system within city limits, which supports aging-in-place for many residents.

✈ Getting Around

A car is necessary for daily life in Big Spring — errands, dining, and medical appointments all require driving, though distances within the city are short and traffic is light. Midland International Air and Space Port (MAF) is about 40 minutes west on I-20 for flights connecting to major hubs. The city's terrain and 262 sunny days a year make it well-suited to older drivers who prefer clear, dry road conditions over ice and snow.

🏛 Texas Taxes for Retirees — What to Know

Tax laws change frequently and individual situations vary. This is general information, not tax advice — always consult a qualified Texas tax professional or CPA for personalized retirement tax planning.

Weekends & Local Favorites in Big Spring

The outdoor infrastructure here punches well above its weight for a city of 22,290. Big Spring State Park sits right at the edge of the city on a 200-foot bluff, with a paved three-mile loop popular with walkers and cyclists, a CCC-era stone pavilion, and panoramic views over the basin that genuinely stop people in their tracks. The park draws crowds from across the region and from the broader West Texas community — it is not a secret among locals.

Comanche Trail Park is where much of the city's recreational life concentrates. The amphitheater hosts live concerts, the lake draws anglers, and the golf course — the only rolling-hills layout in West Texas — keeps a consistent crowd. The Festival of Lights in winter turns the park into a community gathering point that locals plan around. Moss Creek Lake, just outside city limits, is a 400-acre reservoir with boating, a swimming beach, campsites, and a dirt bike course — the kind of full-day destination that gives Big Spring residents a reason to stay close to home on weekends.

Russ McEwen Family Aquatic Center handles the summer swimming crowd that the city's dry heat creates. Scenic Mountain, rising above the western edge of the city, provides a backdrop and a hiking destination that newer residents discover and tend to return to often.

Culture and History

Hangar 25 Air Museum is one of the most distinctive stops in West Texas — actual historic aircraft inside an original WWII-era hangar, with volunteer docents who in many cases served at Big Spring Army Air Force Bombardier School or Webb Air Force Base. The firsthand stories make it different from a typical museum experience. The Heritage Museum of Big Spring covers 13,000 square feet of West Texas history, from railroads and pioneer medicine to the oil industry, and holds one of the world's largest sets of longhorn horns. Hotel Settles, the 15-story Art Deco landmark that anchors downtown, is worth understanding as a community story: a six-year, $30 million restoration brought it back from near-ruin and helped catalyze the broader revival of the Big Spring Downtown Historic District.

Food, Coffee, and Local Spots

The local dining and coffee scene has more depth than first-time visitors expect. For sit-down meals, Cowboy's - Steakhouse & Restaurant holds a consistent local following, Texas Cajun Cafe brings a different flavor profile to the West Texas landscape, Wild West Wingz covers the casual end of the spectrum, and Alberto's Crystal Cafe Mexican serves the kind of Tex-Mex that becomes a weekly habit. Hotel Settles itself has a dining operation worth knowing about — the setting alone justifies it. On the coffee and sweets side: Starlee's Kitchen, Tea2Go, Shebrews, Bubbly Kittea (boba tea and mochi donuts), and Sealed In Sweetness Drive Thru give the city a surprisingly active independent coffee-and-treats culture. The 3rd Street Market and The Farm Stand - Farmers Market bring local produce and vendors into the community rotation.

Local favorites in Big Spring

Restaurants

  • Cowboy's - Steakhouse & Restaurant
  • Texas Cajun Cafe
  • Hotel Settles
  • Wild West Wingz
  • Alberto's Crystal Cafe Mexican

Outdoors

  • Big Spring State Park
  • Comanche Trail Park
  • Moss Creek Lake
  • Russ McEwen Family Aquatic Center
  • Scenic Mountain

Coffee

  • Starlee's Kitchen
  • Tea2Go
  • Shebrews
  • Bubbly Kittea - Boba Tea Mochi Donuts and more
  • Sealed In Sweetness Drive Thru

Farmers Markets

  • The Farm Stand - Farmers Market
  • 3rd Street Market

Top Things Locals Say About Big Spring

The best intel about a city comes from the people who actually live there. Here’s what Big Spring residents say when newcomers ask the questions everyone’s thinking.

“I knew the home prices were low, but I didn't expect to actually feel the difference in quality of life until I was living it — no commute stress inside the city, a house payment that left room to breathe, and Big Spring State Park practically in my backyard. What I didn't see coming was how much the wind would be part of daily life out here, especially in spring.”

— Recent Big Spring home buyer

“What's the most surprising thing about living in Big Spring?”

The landscape surprises almost everyone. People expect flat scrubland and instead find they're living in a city with a genuine bluff and a state park right at the edge of town. Big Spring State Park is a short drive from most neighborhoods, and the views from up there — looking out over the basin — genuinely stop people who've lived here for years. The wind is the other surprise: West Texas wind at elevation is a constant, and spring dust storms are something you adapt to rather than escape.

“What do locals love most about Big Spring?”

The combination of low cost of living and a real community. This isn't a suburb that lacks identity — there's a symphony, a serious air museum at Hangar 25, a historic downtown anchored by Hotel Settles, and Comanche Trail Park with the only rolling-hills golf course in West Texas. People who have deep roots here genuinely feel that the Big Spring Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo represents something the city hasn't lost. And the pace is slower in a way that most longtime residents actively value.

“What should newcomers to Big Spring know?”

Neighborhood choice matters more here than it does in some Texas cities, so don't shop purely on price — spend time in the areas you're considering before making an offer. The VA Medical Center, State Hospital, and Howard College create stable employment pockets, and the social networks around those institutions are real and welcoming to newcomers. For specialty shopping or certain medical specialists, you'll be driving to Midland — that's just the reality of living in the regional hub rather than the metro, and building it into your routine makes it manageable.

“How much do you need a car in Big Spring?”

A car is essential for virtually everything in Big Spring. Grocery runs, school pickups, medical appointments, and most errands all require driving. The upside is that traffic within the city is light — you're rarely looking at more than 10 minutes to reach anywhere inside city limits. The downtown core around Hotel Settles is compact enough to navigate on foot once you've parked, and Big Spring State Park's three-mile paved loop works for walking and cycling. But day-to-day life here is built around the car, which is the norm across West Texas and something to factor in if you're coming from a more urban environment.

Cities Near Big Spring

Other communities near Big Spring worth a look — each with its own character and price point.

CityDistanceBest ForVibeMedian RentMedian Buy
Coahoma10 miRural quiet, small-town familiesAgricultural, uncrowded, unhurried$950$130,000
Stanton18 miCounty-seat stability, first-time buyersSmall, steady, close-knit$1,000$150,000
Midland40 miEnergy careers, larger retail, airport accessFast-moving, prosperous, corporate$1,636$332,692

More Helpful Guides for Big Spring

Going deeper on Big Spring? Our blog series covers everything from first-time buying to retiring here — explore the guides below.

Local Expert Takeaway: Big Spring is one of the last places in Texas where a median household income actually covers the median home price — and that's not a marketing line, it's arithmetic. The VA Medical Center, State Hospital, Howard College, and the school district create a genuine anchor economy that doesn't evaporate when oil prices drop. The trade is real: the school district's C rating from the Texas Education Agency and crime rates above state averages mean you need to be thoughtful about neighborhood choice, not just price. But for a buyer who does that homework, picks the right block, and wants a West Texas community with actual history — Hotel Settles, Hangar 25, Comanche Trail Park, 262 sunny days a year — Big Spring delivers in ways that are hard to replicate at this price point anywhere in the state.

Quick Takeaways & FAQs

✅ The typical home price of $147,462 (July 2026) is covered by the city's median household income — genuine affordability that's rare in today's Texas market.

⚠️ The school district holds a C rating from the Texas Education Agency, and crime rates run above state averages — both require honest research before committing to a neighborhood.

📍 Big Spring is the largest city in a wide radius between Midland, Abilene, Lubbock, and San Angelo, which means a regional-hub commercial base and the only rolling-hills golf course in West Texas at Comanche Trail Park.

Is Big Spring, Texas a good place to live?
For buyers prioritizing affordability and stable public-sector employment, Big Spring offers a combination that's genuinely hard to find in Texas: a typical home price of $147,462 (July 2026) covered by the city's median household income, anchored employers including the VA Medical Center, Big Spring State Hospital, and Howard College, and a West Texas community with real cultural infrastructure — a symphony, an air museum, a historic downtown. The honest caveats are a school district rated C by the Texas Education Agency and crime rates above state averages. Neighborhood choice matters here more than in lower-crime markets, and buyers who research that dimension carefully tend to find the move rewarding.
How far is Big Spring from Midland, Texas?
The drive is about 40 minutes to Midland, TX, running west on I-20. This commute is common among Big Spring residents who hold jobs in Midland's energy, healthcare, or professional sectors. Daily round trips are manageable for many workers, and hybrid schedules make the arrangement very sustainable. Midland International Air and Space Port (MAF) also sits about 40 minutes out, serving as the practical commercial airport for Big Spring households.
What are home prices like in Big Spring, TX?
The typical home price in Big Spring is $147,462 as of July 2026, according to the Zillow Home Value Index. That figure is at or below what the city's median household income supports, making Big Spring one of the more genuinely affordable markets in Texas. The housing stock skews toward older single-family construction — 1950s and 1960s era homes are common — with more recently built homes concentrated in areas like College Heights and West Cliff. Typical rent runs $1,233 per month city-wide. See the cost-of-living page for a full breakdown of what ownership and renting actually cost month to month.
What are the best neighborhoods in Big Spring, Texas?
Big Spring's recognized neighborhoods include Kentwood, Park Hill, Edwards Heights, Wasson Place, West Cliff, College Heights, Settles Heights, and Sand Springs. Each has a distinct character — College Heights sits near Howard College and draws a mix of faculty, students, and established families; West Cliff tends toward larger lots and more recent construction; Settles Heights and Park Hill reflect older, more established residential patterns. The neighborhoods page covers each area's feel, housing stock, and who it tends to suit in detail.
What is the school district like in Big Spring?
Big Spring Independent School District serves 3,110 students enrolled in 2025-26 and holds a C rating, according to the Texas Education Agency. On 2024-25 state assessments, 40% of students reached math proficiency and 43% reached reading proficiency — figures that reflect a district with room to improve academically. The district maintains active UIL athletics programs, and Friday night football is a genuine community event. Families who are weighing the school situation carefully should read the full schools page, which covers individual campuses and what the district's trajectory looks like.

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Todd Davidson

Todd Davidson

About the Author

Todd Davidson is the founder of The Move Genie, a premier digital resource offering in-depth city guides, neighborhood profiles, and localized market insights for communities nationwide. Drawing on an extensive background in home financing and real estate, he established the platform to streamline the relocation process, helping families make confident, data-driven decisions when comparing new areas.