Texas · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Taylor County, TX

The median household in Taylor County, TX earns $67,139 a year ($5,595/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,276/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $51,040 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 9.6% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$67,139$5,595 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,276HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)90.4-9.6% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate15.9¢per kWh · EIA Residential TX
Census Population145,863Official resident count

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

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,276Monthly market rent
Share of gross income22.8%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$51,040To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,678At 30% of $67,139
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Taylor County, TX

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Abilene, 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 Taylor County, TX
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,010$12,120$40,40018.1%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,020$12,240$40,80018.2%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,276$15,312$51,04022.8%
3-Bedroom Home$1,653$19,836$66,12029.5%
4-Bedroom Home$1,987$23,844$79,48035.5%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Taylor County, TX →

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

Based on the local median household income of $67,139/year ($5,595/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,797/moRent ($1,276 2-BR), utilities (~$143/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,678/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 90.4 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,119/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.

$67,139
$25,000$135,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$67,139
Net 84%
Fed 9%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$56,062After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,672Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,156Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.5%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$5,941 / yr
Texas state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,136 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Taylor County, TX

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Taylor County, TX is $67,139 per year (approximately $5,595 per month).

What is the average rent in Taylor County, TX?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Taylor County, TX are $1,010 for a studio, $1,020 for 1 bedroom, $1,276 for 2 bedrooms, $1,653 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,987 for 4 bedrooms.

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

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Taylor County, TX is 90.4 (9.6% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

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

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,276/month) in Taylor County, TX requires a minimum gross household income of $51,040 per year ($4,253 per month).

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

For a typical household earning the median income of $67,139/year ($5,595/month) in Taylor County, TX, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,797/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,678/month to discretionary spending, and $1,119/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Taylor 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.