Best Neighborhoods for Retirees in Harlingen, TX
25 neighborhoods ranked by safety, quiet living, air quality, affordability, and walkability — the factors that matter most for a comfortable retirement.
Best Neighborhoods for Retirees in Harlingen — Key Takeaways
The best neighborhood for retirees in Harlingen is Rancho Alegre CDP with a Retiree Score of 89/100. Harlingen has 25 neighborhoods evaluated for retirement livability. The safest neighborhood is Ricardo CDP with a violent crime rate of 1.5 per 1,000 residents, 58% below the national average.
Harlingen has a population of 71,497, a median household income of $50,367, and a median home value of $111,600, which is 60% below the national average of $281,900.
Data sourced from the US Census Bureau, FBI Crime Data Explorer, EPA AirNow, DOT Noise Map, Walk Score, and FEMA. Last updated: March 2026.
Top 3 Neighborhoods for Retirees
| # | Neighborhood | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rancho Alegre CDP | 89 | ||
| Santa Maria CDP | 89 | ||
| Placedo CDP | 88 | ||
4 | South La Paloma CDP | 88 | |
5 | Santa Cruz CDP | 85 | |
6 | Doolittle CDP | 85 | |
7 | Indian Springs CDP | 84 | |
8 | Muniz CDP | 83 | |
9 | Perezville CDP | 83 | |
10 | Las Quintas Fronterizas CDP | 82 | |
11 | Deerwood CDP | 82 | |
12 | East Alto Bonito CDP | 81 | |
13 | Ricardo CDP | 75 | |
14 | Porter Heights CDP | 74 | |
15 | Hamshire CDP | 72 | |
16 | Bear Creek Ranch CDP | 71 | |
17 | Wildwood CDP | 71 | |
18 | Port O'Connor CDP | 69 | |
19 | Fannett CDP | 69 | |
20 | Ben Wheeler CDP | 69 | |
21 | Inez CDP | 67 | |
22 | Pinewood Estates CDP | 66 | |
23 | Bushland CDP | 62 | |
24 | Dennis CDP | 54 | |
25 | Cross Mountain CDP | 53 |
Rankings by Category
Top 5 neighborhoods in Harlingen for each retiree-relevant metric.
Lowest violent crime rate
- 1.5 per 1K
- 1.5 per 1K
- 1.5 per 1K
- 1.5 per 1K
- 1.5 per 1K
Lowest median home value
- $28,700
- $34,800
- $36,300
- $44,100
- $80,200
Lowest property crime rate
- 8.2 per 1K
- 8.2 per 1K
- 8.2 per 1K
- 8.2 per 1K
- 8.2 per 1K
Lowest poverty rate
- 0.3%
- 0.7%
- 1.2%
- 1.7%
- 2.5%
Highest median household income
- $214,900
- $164,679
- $135,144
- $133,272
- $118,412
Neighborhoods are ranked using the Retiree Score, a composite livability index specifically designed for retirees. It prioritizes the factors that matter most for a comfortable, safe, and healthy retirement:
- Safety (Violent Crime)
- 25% weight
- Quiet Living (Road Noise)
- 20% weight
- Air Quality (AQI)
- 20% weight
- Affordability (Home Value)
- 20% weight
- Walkability (Walk Score)
- 15% weight
Safety is weighted highest because personal security is the top concern for retirees. Quiet living and air quality reflect the importance of a healthy, peaceful environment. Affordability matters for those on fixed incomes, and walkability supports an active lifestyle without reliance on driving.
Data Sources: US Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR), EPA AirNow, DOT National Transportation Noise Map, Walk Score, and FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer. All data is updated on a rolling basis as new government releases become available.