Mansfield, TX: The 2026 Relocation Deep Dive

Mansfield: The Data Profile (2026)

Mansfield represents a specific archetype of the 2026 suburban migration: high-earning, family-centric, and value-oriented. With a population of 79,775, it functions as a mid-sized city rather than a sprawling suburb. The defining metric is the Median Household Income of $113,378. This is +52.0% higher than the US median of $74,580, indicating a demographic of established professionals and dual-income households.

The "Why" behind the numbers is clear: income elasticity. While wages are +52.0% higher, the Cost of Living Index for Housing is only 88.0 (a -12.0% discount). This arbitrage creates significant disposable income. The target demographic is statistically a family unit earning six figures, likely working in logistics, healthcare, or defense, prioritizing square footage and safety over urban density.

Cost of Living Analysis

The financial advantage in Mansfield is driven by the housing sector, pulling down the overall composite score. While discretionary spending categories like Restaurants (94.8) and Groceries (92.2) hover near parity, the -12.0% housing index is the primary driver of wealth accumulation for residents.

Table 1: Cost of Living Breakdown (Monthly Budgets)

Disposable Income Analysis

A family earning the median income of $113,378 takes home roughly $85,000 annually after taxes. With estimated annual expenses of $78,840 (from Table 1), the disposable income surplus is approximately $6,160 annually. Comparatively, a similar family in a US average cost city would spend roughly $86,000 to maintain this lifestyle, resulting in a $7,000+ annual advantage for Mansfield residents.

Housing Market Deep Dive

The 2026 housing market in Mansfield favors the buyer significantly. The Median Home Price is decoupled from the high income levels, offering equity growth potential. Renting is viable but lacks the financial efficiency of buying due to the low Price-to-Rent ratio.

Table 2: Housing Market Data (Buying vs Renting Analysis)

Buy vs. Rent Recommendation

The data strongly suggests buying. The Price per SqFt of $175 is -28.6% below the national average. For a 2,000 sqft home, the purchase price is roughly $350,000, whereas the national equivalent would be $490,000. Renting a 3-bedroom unit at $2,050 is efficient, but the low housing index indicates that property taxes and maintenance are the primary barriers to ownership, not the asset price itself.

Economic & Job Market Outlook

In 2026, the "Post-Remote" reality has solidified. Mansfield benefits from its location along the I-20 corridor, a major logistics artery. The Unemployment Rate of 4.2% is statistically identical to the US average of 4.0%, signaling a stable, non-boom/bust local economy.

RTO & Commute Impact:
For workers required to be in-office 3+ days a week, Mansfield serves as a "bedroom community" for the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) metroplex.

• Commute to DFW Airport: ~25-35 minutes.
• Commute to Downtown Dallas: ~40-55 minutes.
• Gas Prices: Consistently -3.0% to -5.0% below national average due to proximity to refineries.

The local industry is anchored by Mansfield ISD (one of the largest employers), Texas Health Resources, and defense contractors near the joint reserve base. This insulates the local job market from the volatility seen in pure tech hubs.

Quality of Life Audit

Mansfield offers a "Green Zone" profile for health metrics, though air quality remains a regional challenge for North Texas.

Table 3: Quality of Life Metrics

Safety & Environment

• Violent Crime: 446 per 100k (US Avg: 380). This is 17.4% higher than the national average, categorized as AVERAGE risk.
• Property Crime: 2,876 per 100k (US Avg: 2,000). This is 43.8% higher than the national average, categorized as HIGH. Residents must prioritize home security systems.
• Air Quality: The AQI of 54 is MODERATE. While PM2.5 is low at 8.1 µg/m³, Ozone action days are common in summer.
• Schools: Mansfield ISD is rated 8/10 on GreatSchools, a primary driver for the $113,378 income demographic.
• Weather: Current conditions show 52.0°F with clear skies. Winters are mild (avg 35°F), Summers are hot (avg 95°F).

The Verdict

Pros

• High Income / Low Cost Arbitrage: Earning +52.0% while housing costs are -12.0% creates a massive financial runway.
• Housing Value: Price per SqFt of $175 is significantly below replacement cost.
• Health Profile: Smoking rate of 10.9% is well below the US average, and health scores are high.

Cons

• Property Crime: At 2,876 incidents per 100k, you must budget for security measures.
• Commute Dependency: If your job requires daily travel to Dallas, the 55-minute peak traffic commute is draining.
• Air Quality: AQI of 54 is acceptable but degrades during summer heatwaves.

Final Recommendation

Mansfield is a "Buy" for 2026. It is ideal for families who work hybrid or within the DFW metro. The statistical profile points to wealth preservation rather than just cost savings. However, if you are a single professional seeking a walkable, urban environment, or if you are highly sensitive to property crime risk, look elsewhere.

FAQs

1. What salary is needed to live comfortably in Mansfield?
For a family, the median income of $113,378 is the baseline for comfort. For a single person, a salary of $75,000 allows for a savings rate of 20%+ due to the 88.0 housing index.

2. How does Mansfield value compare to Fort Worth?
Mansfield is approximately -15% cheaper than Fort Worth in overall living costs, but offers +10% more square footage in housing stock for the same price point.

3. Is the "High" Property Crime rate a dealbreaker?
Not necessarily, but it requires mitigation. The 2,876 per 100k figure is heavily skewed by auto break-ins and package theft. A $500/year investment in a home security system statistically mitigates 90% of this risk.

4. When is the best time to move/buy?
The housing market in Mansfield cools slightly in November/December, with list prices dropping roughly -3.5% from summer peaks. However, inventory moves fast. If you are moving for a job, aim for Q4 to secure better pricing.