Texas · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Panola County, TX

The median household in Panola County, TX earns $64,894 a year ($5,408/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $995/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $39,800 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 2.9% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$64,894$5,408 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$995HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)97.1-2.9% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate15.9¢per kWh · EIA Residential TX
Census Population22,726Official resident count

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

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$995Monthly market rent
Share of gross income18.4%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$39,800To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,622At 30% of $64,894
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Panola County, TX

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Panola 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 Panola County, TX
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$753$9,036$30,12013.9%
1-Bedroom Apartment$758$9,096$30,32014%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$995$11,940$39,80018.4%
3-Bedroom Home$1,235$14,820$49,40022.8%
4-Bedroom Home$1,434$17,208$57,36026.5%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Panola County, TX →

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

Based on the local median household income of $64,894/year ($5,408/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,704/moRent ($995 2-BR), utilities (~$143/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,622/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 97.1 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,082/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.

$64,894
$25,000$130,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$64,894
Net 84%
Fed 9%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$54,322After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,527Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,089Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$5,607 / yr
Texas state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,964 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Panola County, TX

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Panola County, TX is $64,894 per year (approximately $5,408 per month).

What is the average rent in Panola County, TX?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Panola County, TX are $753 for a studio, $758 for 1 bedroom, $995 for 2 bedrooms, $1,235 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,434 for 4 bedrooms.

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

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Panola 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 Panola County, TX?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($995/month) in Panola County, TX requires a minimum gross household income of $39,800 per year ($3,317 per month).

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

For a typical household earning the median income of $64,894/year ($5,408/month) in Panola County, TX, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,704/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,622/month to discretionary spending, and $1,082/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Panola 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.