Cost of Living in Washington 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 Washington County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Washington County ranks #2,336 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 26%)
Sourced county brief
Renter Median Income in Washington County Reaches $53,601
The median household income for renters in Washington County was estimated at $53,601. The county's official median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) was 26.2%, which is 0.7 percentage points below the Texas unweighted county mean of 26.9%. The median gross rent was $1,165 per month, compared to a state unweighted county mean of $995. For homeowners, the median home value was $288,100, while the state unweighted county mean was $185,237. The median selected monthly owner costs for all owner-occupied units were $972, which is above the state unweighted mean of $877. The rent-to-income metric used here is the official ACS B25071 GRAPI. 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: Washington County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 26.2% of renter household income in Washington 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 $1,165 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $972. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $46,600 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. Washington County's $1,165 median is 17.1% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Washington County
Rent Burden
18.0%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,816
per month
Owner Cost Burden
15.0%
of gross income
The median home in Washington County may be a stretch
Median home value is $288,100. Estimated monthly cost: $2,300 vs. your max of $1,816.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
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
What is the cost of living in Washington County, Texas?
What is the median rent in Washington County?
Is Washington County affordable?
How does Washington County's rent compare to the state average?
What is the median home value in Washington County?
Counties with Similar Housing Costs
Planning a Move?
Researching the cost of living in Washington County, Texas? Compare moving quotes from top providers and save on your relocation.
Compare Moving QuotesCompare Mortgage Rates in Washington County
Whether you're buying in Washington County, Texas, or refinancing, compare rates from top lenders using the terms each lender provides.
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.
CostByCounty participates in affiliate programs. We may earn a commission when you use our links, at no extra cost to you.