Texas · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Pharr, TX

The median household in Pharr, TX earns $52,814 a year ($4,401/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,060/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $42,400 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 14.1% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$52,814$4,401 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,060HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)85.9-14.1% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate15.9¢per kWh · EIA Residential TX
Census Population80,333Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Pharr, TX

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,060Monthly market rent
Share of gross income24.1%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$42,400To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,320At 30% of $52,814
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Pharr, TX

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX MSA. 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 Pharr, TX
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$842$10,104$33,68019.1%
1-Bedroom Apartment$847$10,164$33,88019.2%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,060$12,720$42,40024.1%
3-Bedroom Home$1,376$16,512$55,04031.3%
4-Bedroom Home$1,522$18,264$60,88034.6%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Pharr, TX →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Pharr, TX

Based on the local median household income of $52,814/year ($4,401/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,201/moRent ($1,060 2-BR), utilities (~$143/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,320/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 85.9 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$880/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.

$52,814
$20,000$110,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$52,814
Net 84%
Fed 8%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$44,616After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,718Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,716Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.5%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,158 / yr
Texas state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,040 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Pharr, TX

What is the median household income in Pharr, TX?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Pharr, TX is $52,814 per year (approximately $4,401 per month).

What is the average rent in Pharr, TX?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Pharr, TX are $842 for a studio, $847 for 1 bedroom, $1,060 for 2 bedrooms, $1,376 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,522 for 4 bedrooms.

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

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Pharr, TX is 85.9 (14.1% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

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

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,060/month) in Pharr, TX requires a minimum gross household income of $42,400 per year ($3,533 per month).

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

For a typical household earning the median income of $52,814/year ($4,401/month) in Pharr, TX, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,201/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,320/month to discretionary spending, and $880/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Pharr, 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.