Cost of Living in Hidalgo 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 Hidalgo County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Hidalgo County ranks #1,514 of 3,142 counties for affordability (top 48%)
Sourced county brief
Hidalgo County Median Home Value Estimated at $140,900
The median home value in Hidalgo County was estimated at $140,900, which is $44,337 lower than the Texas unweighted county mean of $185,237. The official ACS B25071 Gross Rent as a Percentage of Household Income (GRAPI) was recorded at 29.3%, a figure that is 2.4 percentage points above the state unweighted county mean GRAPI of 26.9%. Median gross rent in the county was $957 per month, which is $38 below the state unweighted county mean of $995. For those who own their homes, the median selected monthly owner cost was $712, compared to the state unweighted county mean of $877. The median income for renter households was $36,139 during the 2020-2024 survey period. All data are provided by the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. 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: Hidalgo County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 29.3% of renter household income in Hidalgo 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 $957 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $712. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $38,280 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. Hidalgo County's $957 median is 3.8% below that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Hidalgo County
Rent Burden
21.1%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,268
per month
Owner Cost Burden
15.7%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Hidalgo County
Median home value is $140,900. Estimated monthly cost: $1,125 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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