Texas Median Household Income Trails National Average
Residents face ongoing housing cost burdens as median income reaches $82,625 in 2025.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Residential
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New data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows Texas median household income reached $82,625 in 2025, lagging behind the national median of $84,780. The findings highlight persistent financial challenges for many residents as housing costs remain high across the state.
Why it matters
The gap between stagnant income growth and high living costs affects how Texas households manage their long-term financial stability and housing security. Understanding these baseline income levels relative to housing expenses is critical for residents adjusting their household budgets.
The median household income in Texas was $82,625 in 2025, compared to the $84,780 national median. More than half of the 4.3 million renters in the state were classified as cost-burdened, meaning they spent at least 30% of their income on housing.
The players
U.S. Census Bureau
The federal agency responsible for collecting and reporting national income and demographic data.
The details
Housing cost burdens occur when a household spends more than 30% of their gross income on housing-related expenses. With 32% of mortgaged homeowners in Texas also meeting this definition of cost-burdened, many residents face reduced flexibility for other budget priorities like savings or healthcare. While homeowners without mortgages saw their property tax bills decline by 4.2% from 2024 levels, renters continue to manage significant portions of their monthly income directed toward housing.
Timeline
2021 marked the beginning of the growth period for household incomes.
2024 served as the baseline year for property tax bill comparisons.
2025 is the period covered by the latest U.S. Census Bureau data.
Money Landscape
The 2025 data reflects a continuation of the income trends observed since 2021 across the state. This report follows the established standards of the American Community Survey methodology to track the long-term economic shifts facing Texas households.
If you are a renter or homeowner facing a high housing-cost burden, review your monthly budget to see if property tax shifts or local rent trends require a professional financial consultation. Assessing your total housing-to-income ratio is a necessary step before making major long-term financial commitments.
The takeaway
The data confirms that housing costs remain a significant slice of the budget for millions of Texans. Households should track their own rent-to-income ratios and consult with a tax professional to ensure they are capturing any local property tax reductions available to them.
Further reading
For more on managing housing costs in the current economy, see our Residential section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KPRC.
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