Texas · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Fort Bend County, TX

The median household in Fort Bend County, TX earns $114,041 a year ($9,503/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,573/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $62,920 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 1.4% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$114,041$9,503 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,573HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)98.6-1.4% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate15.9¢per kWh · EIA Residential TX
Census Population893,767Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Fort Bend County, TX

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,573Monthly market rent
Share of gross income16.6%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$62,920To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,851At 30% of $114,041
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Fort Bend County, TX

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX HUD Metro FMR Area. 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 Fort Bend County, TX
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,280$15,360$51,20013.5%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,323$15,876$52,92013.9%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,573$18,876$62,92016.6%
3-Bedroom Home$2,116$25,392$84,64022.3%
4-Bedroom Home$2,639$31,668$105,56027.8%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Fort Bend County, TX →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Fort Bend County, TX

Based on the local median household income of $114,041/year ($9,503/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$4,752/moRent ($1,573 2-BR), utilities (~$143/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$2,851/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 98.6 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,901/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.

$114,041
$45,000$230,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$114,041
Net 78%
Fed 14%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$89,058After all taxes
Monthly deposit$7,421Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$3,425Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate21.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$16,259 / yr
Texas state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$8,724 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Fort Bend County, TX

What is the median household income in Fort Bend County, TX?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Fort Bend County, TX is $114,041 per year (approximately $9,503 per month).

What is the average rent in Fort Bend County, TX?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Fort Bend County, TX are $1,280 for a studio, $1,323 for 1 bedroom, $1,573 for 2 bedrooms, $2,116 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,639 for 4 bedrooms.

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

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Fort Bend County, TX is 98.6 (1.4% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

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

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,573/month) in Fort Bend County, TX requires a minimum gross household income of $62,920 per year ($5,243 per month).

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

For a typical household earning the median income of $114,041/year ($9,503/month) in Fort Bend County, TX, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $4,752/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $2,851/month to discretionary spending, and $1,901/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Fort Bend 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.