Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$52,601$4,383 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Cameron County, TX
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Cameron County, 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 | 17.6% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $866 | $10,392 | $34,640 | 19.8% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,047 | $12,564 | $41,880 | 23.9% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,414 | $16,968 | $56,560 | 32.3% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,479 | $17,748 | $59,160 | 33.7% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Cameron County, TX
Based on the local median household income of $52,601/year ($4,383/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 Cameron County, TX
What is the median household income in Cameron County, TX?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Cameron County, TX is $52,601 per year (approximately $4,383 per month).
What is the average rent in Cameron County, TX?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Cameron County, 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 Cameron County, TX compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Cameron County, 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 Cameron County, TX?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,047/month) in Cameron County, 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 Cameron County, TX?
For a typical household earning the median income of $52,601/year ($4,383/month) in Cameron County, TX, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,192/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,315/month to discretionary spending, and $877/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Cameron 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.