Texas · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Zapata County, TX

Prices around Zapata County, TX run 2.9% below the U.S. average (BEA, Texas). The typical household there earns $39,239 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $973 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $38,920 a year.

Zapata County, TX at a glance

Median household income

$39,239$3,270 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$973HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)97.1-2.9% · BEA, Texas
Electricity15.9¢per kWh · EIA Residential TX
Population13,841Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Zapata 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$973Monthly market rent
Share of gross income29.8%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$38,920To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$981At 30% of $39,239
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

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

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

HUD Fair Market Rent in Zapata County, TX, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$747$8,964$29,88022.8%
1-Bedroom Apartment$751$9,012$30,04023%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$973$11,676$38,92029.8%
3-Bedroom Home$1,167$14,004$46,68035.7%
4-Bedroom Home$1,432$17,184$57,28043.8%

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

What a typical income covers in Zapata County, TX

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $39,239 a year ($3,270 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$1,635/moRent ($973 2-BR), utilities (~$143/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$981/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$654/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $39,239 leaves after Texas taxes

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

$39,239
$15,000$80,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$39,239
Net 86%
Fed 6%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$33,709After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,809Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,296Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate14.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,529 / yr
Texas state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,002 / yr

Living in Zapata County, TX: common questions

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Zapata County, TX is $39,239 per year (approximately $3,270 per month).

What is the average rent in Zapata County, TX?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $747 for a studio, $751 for one bedroom, $973 for two, $1,167 for three and $1,432 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 Zapata 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 Zapata County, TX?

To keep a $973 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $38,920 a year, or $3,243 a month. That is 99% of what the typical household in Zapata County, TX earns.

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

On the local median income of $39,239 ($3,270 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $1,635 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $981 for everything else and $654 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $973 takes 60% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Zapata 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.