Manageable

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Denison?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Denison, you need to earn at least $51,000/year based on estimated fair market rent data. The median household income here is $58,930, which means the typical resident is $7,930 above the threshold.

Census ACS Data Pop. 24,872

Salary Required by Bedroom Size

Bedroom	Monthly Rent	Monthly Income	Annual Salary	vs. Median
Studio	$893	$2,977	$35,720	$-23,210
1 Bedroom	$1,058	$3,527	$42,320	$-16,610
2 Bedroom BENCHMARK	$1,275	$4,250	$51,000	$-7,930
3 Bedroom	$1,556	$5,187	$62,240	+$3,310
4 Bedroom	$1,913	$6,377	$76,520	+$17,590

Affordability Breakdown

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

Required Salary Median Income

Income vs. Rent Snapshot

Median Income

$58,930

Annual household

2BR Required Salary

$51,000

Under 30% rule

Income Gap

+$7,930

Surplus

Verdict

Manageable

Ratio: 26.0%

The 30% Rule Calculator

Enter your annual salary to see what you can afford in Denison

Your Annual Salary

Pre-filled with Denison's median household income

Max monthly rent you can afford$1,473

Studio

$893/mo

1 BR

$1,058/mo

2 BR

$1,275/mo

3 BR

$1,556/mo

4 BR

$1,913/mo

Your salary is $0 above the median income in Denison.

Salary Comparison by Bedroom

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

Affordable Above Median Median Income

What This Means If You're Moving to Denison

Renting in Denison, Texas is doable for median earners, but tight. A 2-bedroom requires roughly $51,000/year under the 30% rule, and with a median income of $58,930, residents are operating close to the threshold.

Downsizing to a 1-bedroom ($1,058/month) or studio ($893/month) materially improves the math. For those needing more space, a 3-bedroom in Denison pushes the required income to $62,240.

For comfortable living in Denison without financial stress, target a household income of at least $76,500 — this accounts for rent being approximately 30% of take-home pay while leaving adequate room for Texas's cost of living.

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 Denison, Texas.

With a total population of 24,872, the city supports an active civilian workforce of 10,742 people. A strong employment base often indicates a stable economy, which is crucial when committing to a lease requiring a $51,000 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

10,742

Active civilian employees in Denison

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in Denison

What salary do I need to live in Denison, Texas?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Denison under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of at least $51,000. The median household income in Denison is $58,930.

Can I afford a 2-bedroom in Denison on $58,930?

The affordability verdict for Denison is "Manageable". The rent-to-income ratio is 26.0%, meaning median earners have a $7,930 surplus.

What is the average rent in Denison compared to median income?

The median gross rent in Denison is $1,058/month. With a median household income of $58,930, residents spend approximately 26.0% of their income on rent.

What salary do I need for a studio in Denison?

A studio in Denison rents for approximately $893/month. Under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of $35,720 to afford this.

Is Denison considered an affordable place to live?

Based on the surplus of $7,930 and an affordability verdict of "Manageable", Denison is considered a manageable rental market when comparing the required 2-bedroom salary of $51,000 to the local median household income.

How Denison Compares

Other cities in Texas with salary requirements