Texas · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Brooks County, TX

The median household in Brooks County, TX earns $47,764 a year ($3,980/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $973/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $38,920 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 2.9% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$47,764$3,980 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$973HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)97.1-2.9% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate15.9¢per kWh · EIA Residential TX
Census Population6,943Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Brooks County, TX

Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$973Monthly market rent
Share of gross income24.4%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$38,920To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,194At 30% of $47,764
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Brooks County, TX

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Brooks County, TX. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule for Brooks County, TX
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$756$9,072$30,24019%
1-Bedroom Apartment$778$9,336$31,12019.5%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$973$11,676$38,92024.4%
3-Bedroom Home$1,353$16,236$54,12034%
4-Bedroom Home$1,432$17,184$57,28036%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Brooks County, TX →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Brooks County, TX

Based on the local median household income of $47,764/year ($3,980/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$1,990/moRent ($973 2-BR), utilities (~$143/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,194/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 97.1 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$796/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Texas

Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Texas state income tax based on the local median baseline.

$47,764
$15,000$100,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$47,764
Net 85%
Fed 7%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$40,558After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,380Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,560Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,552 / yr
Texas state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,654 / yr

Compare earnings and living costs across Texas with official federal datasets:

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Brooks County, TX

What is the median household income in Brooks County, TX?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Brooks County, TX is $47,764 per year (approximately $3,980 per month).

What is the average rent in Brooks County, TX?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Brooks County, TX are $756 for a studio, $778 for 1 bedroom, $973 for 2 bedrooms, $1,353 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,432 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Brooks County, TX compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Brooks County, TX is 97.1 (2.9% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Brooks County, TX?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($973/month) in Brooks County, TX requires a minimum gross household income of $38,920 per year ($3,243 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Brooks County, TX?

For a typical household earning the median income of $47,764/year ($3,980/month) in Brooks County, TX, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $1,990/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,194/month to discretionary spending, and $796/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Brooks County, TX?

Residential electricity rates in Texas average 15.9¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $143 per month.