Texas · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Nueces County, TX

The median household in Nueces County, TX earns $66,897 a year ($5,575/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,366/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $54,640 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 7.3% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$66,897$5,575 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,366HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)92.7-7.3% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate15.9¢per kWh · EIA Residential TX
Census Population352,955Official resident count

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

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,366Monthly market rent
Share of gross income24.5%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$54,640To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,672At 30% of $66,897
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Nueces County, TX

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Corpus Christi, 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 Nueces County, TX
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,031$12,372$41,24018.5%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,117$13,404$44,68020%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,366$16,392$54,64024.5%
3-Bedroom Home$1,796$21,552$71,84032.2%
4-Bedroom Home$2,054$24,648$82,16036.8%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Nueces County, TX →

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

Based on the local median household income of $66,897/year ($5,575/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,787/moRent ($1,366 2-BR), utilities (~$143/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,672/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 92.7 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,115/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.

$66,897
$25,000$135,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$66,897
Net 84%
Fed 9%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$55,892After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,658Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,150Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.5%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$5,887 / yr
Texas state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,118 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Nueces County, TX

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Nueces County, TX is $66,897 per year (approximately $5,575 per month).

What is the average rent in Nueces County, TX?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Nueces County, TX are $1,031 for a studio, $1,117 for 1 bedroom, $1,366 for 2 bedrooms, $1,796 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,054 for 4 bedrooms.

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

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Nueces County, TX is 92.7 (7.3% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

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

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,366/month) in Nueces County, TX requires a minimum gross household income of $54,640 per year ($4,553 per month).

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

For a typical household earning the median income of $66,897/year ($5,575/month) in Nueces County, TX, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,787/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,672/month to discretionary spending, and $1,115/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Nueces 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.