Cost of Living in Dawson County, Texas
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Dawson County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Dawson County ranks #599 of 3,142 counties for affordability (top 19%)
Sourced county brief
Dawson County Housing Costs and Median GRAPI Percentage Snapshot
The official median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) in Dawson County, Texas, was estimated at 29.4% according to the 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year Estimates. This official B25071 figure is 2.5 percentage points above the Texas unweighted county mean of 26.9%. The median gross rent for the county was recorded at $777 per month, which is $218 below the state unweighted county mean of $995. For owner-occupied units, the median home value was $103,400, while the Texas unweighted county mean for home values was $185,237. Selected monthly owner costs for all owner-occupied households were $626, compared to a state unweighted county mean of $877. Within the renter-occupied housing segment, the median renter-household income was estimated at $27,877. These data points provide a snapshot of housing tenure and costs relative to income within the county. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Dawson County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 29.4% of renter household income in Dawson County, which is below the 30% affordability benchmark. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $777 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $626. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $31,080 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The Texas unweighted mean of county median rents is $995 per month. Dawson County's $777 median is 21.9% below that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Dawson County
Rent Burden
17.2%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,268
per month
Owner Cost Burden
13.8%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Dawson County
Median home value is $103,400. Estimated monthly cost: $825 vs. your max of $1,268.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
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Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
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