Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$66,924$5,577 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Wharton County, TX
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Wharton County, TX
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Wharton County, TX. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $758 | $9,096 | $30,320 | 13.6% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $838 | $10,056 | $33,520 | 15% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,100 | $13,200 | $44,000 | 19.7% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,500 | $18,000 | $60,000 | 26.9% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,718 | $20,616 | $68,720 | 30.8% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Wharton County, TX
Based on the local median household income of $66,924/year ($5,577/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
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.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Texas with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Wharton County, TX
What is the median household income in Wharton County, TX?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Wharton County, TX is $66,924 per year (approximately $5,577 per month).
What is the average rent in Wharton County, TX?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Wharton County, TX are $758 for a studio, $838 for 1 bedroom, $1,100 for 2 bedrooms, $1,500 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,718 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Wharton County, TX compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Wharton 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 Wharton County, TX?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,100/month) in Wharton County, TX requires a minimum gross household income of $44,000 per year ($3,667 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Wharton County, TX?
For a typical household earning the median income of $66,924/year ($5,577/month) in Wharton County, TX, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,789/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,673/month to discretionary spending, and $1,115/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Wharton 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.