Texas · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Caldwell County, TX

Prices around Caldwell County, TX run 1.9% below the U.S. average (BEA, the metro area). The typical household there earns $69,758 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $1,852 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $74,080 a year.

Caldwell County, TX at a glance

Median household income

$69,758$5,813 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$1,852HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)98.1-1.9% · BEA, the metro area
Electricity15.9¢per kWh · EIA Residential TX
Population48,669Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Caldwell County, TX?

HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.

Moderate cost burden (30–50%)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,852Monthly market rent
Share of gross income31.9%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$74,080To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,744At 30% of $69,758
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

How much is rent in Caldwell County, TX? By bedroom, 2026

HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX MSA, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.

HUD Fair Market Rent in Caldwell County, TX, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,474$17,688$58,96025.4%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,562$18,744$62,48026.9%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,852$22,224$74,08031.9%
3-Bedroom Home$2,347$28,164$93,88040.4%
4-Bedroom Home$2,760$33,120$110,40047.5%

Rent in Caldwell County, TX, with the wage each unit needs →

What a typical income covers in Caldwell County, TX

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $69,758 a year ($5,813 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$2,907/moRent ($1,852 2-BR), utilities (~$143/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,744/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$1,163/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $69,758 leaves after Texas taxes

Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Texas tax on the local median income. Change the salary to see yours.

$69,758
$25,000$140,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$69,758
Net 83%
Fed 9%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$57,905After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,825Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,227Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$6,517 / yr
Texas state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,336 / yr

Living in Caldwell County, TX: common questions

What is the median household income in Caldwell County, TX?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Caldwell County, TX is $69,758 per year (approximately $5,813 per month).

What is the average rent in Caldwell County, TX?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $1,474 for a studio, $1,562 for one bedroom, $1,852 for two, $2,347 for three and $2,760 for four, utilities included.

It is not an average of listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so a new lease on a nicer place will usually cost more.

Is Caldwell County, TX expensive to live in?

Prices there run 1.9% below the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 98.1, where the U.S. is 100. Rent moves the number most: housing is where places differ, while goods cost about the same everywhere.

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Caldwell County, TX?

To keep a $1,852 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $74,080 a year, or $6,173 a month. That is 106% of what the typical household in Caldwell County, TX earns.

How much do you need to live comfortably in Caldwell County, TX?

On the local median income of $69,758 ($5,813 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $2,907 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,744 for everything else and $1,163 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,852 takes 64% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Caldwell County, TX?

Homes in Texas paid 15.9¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $143. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.