Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$52,130$4,344 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Brownsville, TX
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Brownsville, TX
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Brownsville-Harlingen, TX MSA. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $773 | $9,276 | $30,920 | 17.8% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $866 | $10,392 | $34,640 | 19.9% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,047 | $12,564 | $41,880 | 24.1% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,414 | $16,968 | $56,560 | 32.5% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,479 | $17,748 | $59,160 | 34% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Brownsville, TX
Based on the local median household income of $52,130/year ($4,344/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
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.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Texas with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Brownsville, TX
What is the median household income in Brownsville, TX?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Brownsville, TX is $52,130 per year (approximately $4,344 per month).
What is the average rent in Brownsville, TX?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Brownsville, TX are $773 for a studio, $866 for 1 bedroom, $1,047 for 2 bedrooms, $1,414 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,479 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Brownsville, TX compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Brownsville, TX is 86.0 (14% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Brownsville, TX?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,047/month) in Brownsville, TX requires a minimum gross household income of $41,880 per year ($3,490 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Brownsville, TX?
For a typical household earning the median income of $52,130/year ($4,344/month) in Brownsville, TX, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,172/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,303/month to discretionary spending, and $869/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Brownsville, 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.