Texas · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Washington County, TX

The median household in Washington County, TX earns $77,825 a year ($6,485/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,309/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $52,360 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 2.9% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$77,825$6,485 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,309HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)97.1-2.9% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate15.9¢per kWh · EIA Residential TX
Census Population36,647Official resident count

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

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,309Monthly market rent
Share of gross income20.2%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$52,360To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,946At 30% of $77,825
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Washington County, TX

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Washington 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 Washington County, TX
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$991$11,892$39,64015.3%
1-Bedroom Apartment$998$11,976$39,92015.4%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,309$15,708$52,36020.2%
3-Bedroom Home$1,692$20,304$67,68026.1%
4-Bedroom Home$1,733$20,796$69,32026.7%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Washington County, TX →

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

Based on the local median household income of $77,825/year ($6,485/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$3,243/moRent ($1,309 2-BR), utilities (~$143/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,946/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 97.1 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,297/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.

$77,825
$30,000$160,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$77,825
Net 82%
Fed 11%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$63,580After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,298Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,445Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$8,292 / yr
Texas state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,954 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Washington County, TX

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Washington County, TX is $77,825 per year (approximately $6,485 per month).

What is the average rent in Washington County, TX?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Washington County, TX are $991 for a studio, $998 for 1 bedroom, $1,309 for 2 bedrooms, $1,692 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,733 for 4 bedrooms.

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

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

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,309/month) in Washington County, TX requires a minimum gross household income of $52,360 per year ($4,363 per month).

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

For a typical household earning the median income of $77,825/year ($6,485/month) in Washington County, TX, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,243/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,946/month to discretionary spending, and $1,297/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Washington 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.