Cost of Living in Zapata 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 Zapata County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Zapata County ranks #59 of 3,142 counties for affordability (top 2%)
Sourced county brief
Zapata County Median Home Value Set at $97,100
In Zapata County, the median home value was estimated at $97,100 during the 2020-2024 period, which is $88,137 below the Texas unweighted county mean of $185,237. The median selected monthly owner cost was $519, or $358 less than the state unweighted county mean of $877. For renters, the median gross rent was $617 per month, compared to a Texas unweighted county mean of $995. The renter median household income was $17,011. The official ACS B25071 gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) was 27.5%. This canonical rentToIncomePct differs by 0.6 percentage points from the Texas unweighted county mean of 26.9%. These figures are snapshot estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for 2020-2024. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate of gross rent as a percentage of household income.
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: Zapata County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 27.5% of renter household income in Zapata 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 $617 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $519. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $24,680 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. Zapata County's $617 median is 38.0% below that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Zapata County
Rent Burden
18.9%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$916
per month
Owner Cost Burden
15.9%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Zapata County
Median home value is $97,100. Estimated monthly cost: $775 vs. your max of $916.
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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