Unaffordable

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Balcones Heights?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Balcones Heights, you need to earn at least $41,120/year based on estimated fair market rent data. The median household income here is $28,184, which means the typical resident is $12,936 below the threshold.

Census ACS Data Pop. 2,729

Salary Required by Bedroom Size

Bedroom	Monthly Rent	Monthly Income	Annual Salary	vs. Median
Studio	$720	$2,400	$28,800	+$616
1 Bedroom	$853	$2,843	$34,120	+$5,936
2 Bedroom BENCHMARK	$1,028	$3,427	$41,120	+$12,936
3 Bedroom	$1,254	$4,180	$50,160	+$21,976
4 Bedroom	$1,542	$5,140	$61,680	+$33,496

Affordability Breakdown

Where the required salary line crosses above Balcones Heights's median income — housing becomes unaffordable for the typical resident.

Required Salary Median Income

Income vs. Rent Snapshot

Median Income

$28,184

Annual household

2BR Required Salary

$41,120

Under 30% rule

Income Gap

-$12,936

Deficit

Verdict

Unaffordable

Ratio: 43.8%

The 30% Rule Calculator

Enter your annual salary to see what you can afford in Balcones Heights

Your Annual Salary

Pre-filled with Balcones Heights's median household income

Max monthly rent you can afford$705

Studio

$720/mo

1 BR

$853/mo

2 BR

$1,028/mo

3 BR

$1,254/mo

4 BR

$1,542/mo

Your salary is $0 above the median income in Balcones Heights.

Salary Comparison by Bedroom

Bars left of the marker line are affordable for Balcones Heights's median earner. Bars to the right require above-median income.

Affordable Above Median Median Income

What This Means If You're Moving to Balcones Heights

Renting in Balcones Heights is unaffordable for most median earners. The $12,936 income gap means a 2-bedroom at $1,028/month requires significant above-median earnings or a dual-income household to be sustainable.

For those committed to Balcones Heights, the realistic options are: (1) target a studio at $720/month, which requires $28,800/year — closer to the median; (2) find a roommate for a 2-bedroom, cutting individual costs to ~$514/month; or (3) negotiate remote work and live in a more affordable Texas city.

To live comfortably in Balcones Heights without financial strain, you realistically need a household income of $61,680 or higher. This isn't just about rent — it accounts for Texas's overall cost of living including transportation, food, and healthcare.

Economic Outlook

Local Job Market & Housing Dynamics

Affording rent isn't just about housing prices—it's heavily dependent on local employment opportunities and the strength of the job market in Balcones Heights, Texas.

With a total population of 2,729, the city supports an active civilian workforce of 1,419 people. A strong employment base often indicates a stable economy, which is crucial when committing to a lease requiring a $41,120 annual salary. The ratio of employed residents to the total population provides insight into the local economic health and competition for both jobs and housing.

Employed Workforce

1,419

Active civilian employees in Balcones Heights

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in Balcones Heights

What salary do I need to live in Balcones Heights, Texas?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Balcones Heights under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of at least $41,120. The median household income in Balcones Heights is $28,184.

Can I afford a 2-bedroom in Balcones Heights on $28,184?

The affordability verdict for Balcones Heights is "Unaffordable". The rent-to-income ratio is 43.8%, meaning there's a $12,936 income gap.

What is the average rent in Balcones Heights compared to median income?

The median gross rent in Balcones Heights is $853/month. With a median household income of $28,184, residents spend approximately 43.8% of their income on rent.

What salary do I need for a studio in Balcones Heights?

A studio in Balcones Heights rents for approximately $720/month. Under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of $28,800 to afford this.

Is Balcones Heights considered an affordable place to live?

Based on the deficit of $12,936 and an affordability verdict of "Unaffordable", Balcones Heights is considered a unaffordable rental market when comparing the required 2-bedroom salary of $41,120 to the local median household income.

How Balcones Heights Compares

Other cities in Texas with salary requirements