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Cameron, Texas

CAMERON,
TEXAS

Low Cost of Living in Central Texas
Community Spotlight

CAMERON, TEXAS

Cameron, Texas, the seat of Milam County, is a vibrant community where history and progress meet. Its well-planned downtown features historic architecture, unique shops, and local dining, creating a charming and walkable atmosphere. The Milam County Museum preserves the town’s rich past, while The Yards of Cameron sports complex provides top-tier facilities for baseball, softball, and soccer, attracting athletes from across the region.

Agriculture remains a cornerstone of the local economy, with 77 Farms and other agricultural businesses supporting the area’s farming heritage. Whether exploring historic sites, shopping downtown, or enjoying modern recreation, Cameron offers a perfect blend of tradition and growth.

For homebuyers, Cameron’s cost of living is one of the most compelling cases in Central Texas. Overall living costs run about 14% below the national average, and residential home prices in Cameron sit well below what buyers pay in Temple, Belton, or anywhere in the Austin metro. Cameron is also an agriculture-heavy market, so farm, ranch, and larger acreage properties can price much higher than typical in-town residential homes.

Cost of Living
14% Below
National average, per Salary.com 2026
Residential Home Price
~$249K
Residential homes; farm and ranch properties often price higher
Residential Housing
27% Less
Residential housing costs are significantly below average

WHAT DOES IT ACTUALLY COST TO LIVE IN CAMERON?

Groceries & Food
7.5% Below
Food expenses in Cameron run about 7.5% under the national average. Day-to-day grocery costs are manageable, and the local market is well-served for a town this size.
Energy & Transportation
8.7% Below
Combined energy, transportation, and healthcare costs run about 8.7% lower than average. No state income tax in Texas adds another layer of savings on top.
Property Taxes
Milam County
Milam County property tax rates are generally competitive with the broader Central Texas region, and Texas’s Homestead Exemption helps reduce the effective burden for primary residents.
No State Income Tax
$0
Texas has no state income tax, which adds real money back in your pocket every paycheck, especially for buyers relocating from California, Colorado, or other high-tax states.
Family of Four
~$4,683/mo
Estimated total monthly cost of living for a family of four in Cameron. That covers housing, food, transportation, and essentials well below the national average pace.

Cost of living data sourced from Salary.com – Cameron TX 2026 Cost of Living Report

Location & Commute

How Far Is Cameron From Everything?

Temple / BSW
~45 min
Via US-190 West
Samsung Taylor
~54 min
Via US-79, through Rockdale
Austin
~1 hr 10 min
Northeast of Austin via US-79

Cameron sits at the junction of US-77 and US-190, about 71 miles northeast of Austin. The drive to Temple runs roughly 45 minutes, making it a workable commute for healthcare workers or anyone employed in the Temple-Belton area. For Samsung employees in Taylor, the route through Rockdale on US-79 takes about 54 minutes. Cameron’s tradeoff is clear: you give up some drive time and gain meaningful savings on every monthly payment. For buyers whose budget simply doesn’t stretch to the Taylor or Temple price points, that tradeoff often makes total sense.

WHO CAMERON IS A GREAT FIT FOR.

Cameron Is Right For You If
  • Your budget is under $250K and you want a real home, not a compromise
  • You are relocating from a high cost-of-living state and want maximum financial relief
  • You prefer a county seat with a real downtown, local dining, and civic amenities
  • You want land or acreage without paying premium prices
  • A 45-60 minute commute to work is acceptable for lower monthly payments
Cameron May Not Be the Best Fit If
  • Need to be within 20 minutes of Temple or Taylor every workday
  • Want a large school district with extensive extracurricular offerings
  • Rely on urban amenities like specialty grocery, nightlife, or transit
  • Are looking for new master-planned subdivision construction

Search for Homes in Cameron

Browse available residential properties across Cameron, TX

View Listings
5
# of Square Miles
5,511
Population
6
# of Parks

Information Sourced from The City of Cameron & Census.gov

FREQUENTLY ASKED.

What is the cost of living in Cameron TX?
Cameron’s overall cost of living is about 14% below the national average. Residential housing costs specifically run about 27% under the US median, food and groceries are about 7.5% lower, and energy and transportation costs are roughly 8.7% less. Texas’s no-state-income-tax policy adds further savings for residents.
How much does a home in Cameron TX cost?
Residential home prices in Cameron often run well below what buyers pay in Temple, Belton, Salado, or anywhere in the Austin suburbs. The inventory includes historic homes, ranch-style houses, and in-town residential properties, while farm, ranch, and larger acreage listings usually sit at higher price points.
How far is Cameron TX from Temple?
About 45 minutes via US-190 West. It is a realistic daily commute for buyers who work at Baylor Scott & White or other Temple employers and want to significantly reduce their housing costs by living farther out.
How far is Cameron TX from Austin?
About 70 miles, which works out to roughly an hour to an hour and 15 minutes depending on traffic and where in Austin you’re headed. Cameron sits northeast of Austin on US-79, which bypasses the worst of the I-35 congestion.
Is Cameron TX a good place to live?
It depends on what you prioritize. If affordability, space, and a genuine small-town feel with a real downtown are important, Cameron delivers well. If you need short commutes to major employers or prefer a larger city’s amenities close by, the commute distance to Temple or Austin is the main tradeoff to weigh.
Does Cameron TX have good schools?
Cameron ISD serves the area with elementary, middle, and high school campuses. As the county seat of Milam County, Cameron has a more established school system than smaller surrounding towns. For families comparing options in the region, Cameron ISD is worth researching alongside neighboring districts.

CHECK OUT LOCAL SCHOOLS.

HELPFUL LINKS.

Crime Statistics

City of Cameron

City of Cameron Website

camerontexas.net

Set Up Water Service

Utility Billing

Police Department

Cameron PD

Discover Cameron

Cameron Chamber of Commerce

Cameron, Texas