Texas · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Washington County, TX

Prices around Washington County, TX run 2.9% below the U.S. average (BEA, Texas). The typical household there earns $77,825 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $1,309 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $52,360 a year.

Washington County, TX at a glance

Median household income

$77,825$6,485 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$1,309HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)97.1-2.9% · BEA, Texas
Electricity15.9¢per kWh · EIA Residential TX
Population36,647Census ACS 5-year estimate

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

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,309Monthly market rent
Share of gross income20.2%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$52,360To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,946At 30% of $77,825
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

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

HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Washington County, TX, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.

HUD Fair Market Rent in Washington County, TX, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$991$11,892$39,64015.3%
1-Bedroom Apartment$998$11,976$39,92015.4%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,309$15,708$52,36020.2%
3-Bedroom Home$1,692$20,304$67,68026.1%
4-Bedroom Home$1,733$20,796$69,32026.7%

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

What a typical income covers in Washington County, TX

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $77,825 a year ($6,485 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$3,243/moRent ($1,309 2-BR), utilities (~$143/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,946/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$1,297/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $77,825 leaves after Texas taxes

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

$77,825
$30,000$160,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$77,825
Net 82%
Fed 11%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$63,580After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,298Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,445Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$8,292 / yr
Texas state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,954 / yr

Living in Washington County, TX: common questions

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Washington County, TX is $77,825 per year (approximately $6,485 per month).

What is the average rent in Washington County, TX?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $991 for a studio, $998 for one bedroom, $1,309 for two, $1,692 for three and $1,733 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 Washington County, TX expensive to live in?

Prices there run 2.9% below the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for Texas is 97.1, 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 Washington County, TX?

To keep a $1,309 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $52,360 a year, or $4,363 a month. That is 67% of what the typical household in Washington County, TX earns.

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

On the local median income of $77,825 ($6,485 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $3,243 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,946 for everything else and $1,297 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,309 takes 40% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Washington 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.