Manageable

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Donna?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Donna, you need to earn at least $33,440/year based on estimated fair market rent data. The median household income here is $34,049, which means the typical resident is $609 above the threshold.

Census ACS Data Pop. 16,742

Salary Required by Bedroom Size

Bedroom	Monthly Rent	Monthly Income	Annual Salary	vs. Median
Studio	$585	$1,950	$23,400	$-10,649
1 Bedroom	$694	$2,313	$27,760	$-6,289
2 Bedroom BENCHMARK	$836	$2,787	$33,440	$-609
3 Bedroom	$1,020	$3,400	$40,800	+$6,751
4 Bedroom	$1,254	$4,180	$50,160	+$16,111

Affordability Breakdown

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

Required Salary Median Income

Income vs. Rent Snapshot

Median Income

$34,049

Annual household

2BR Required Salary

$33,440

Under 30% rule

Income Gap

+$609

Surplus

Verdict

Manageable

Ratio: 29.5%

The 30% Rule Calculator

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

Your Annual Salary

Pre-filled with Donna's median household income

Max monthly rent you can afford$851

Studio

$585/mo

1 BR

$694/mo

2 BR

$836/mo

3 BR

$1,020/mo

4 BR

$1,254/mo

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

Salary Comparison by Bedroom

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

Affordable Above Median Median Income

What This Means If You're Moving to Donna

Donna is borderline manageable — the difference between required salary and median income is just $609. This means most households can technically afford a 2-bedroom, but have very little breathing room for savings or emergencies.

Downsizing to a 1-bedroom ($694/month) or studio ($585/month) materially improves the math. For those needing more space, a 3-bedroom in Donna pushes the required income to $40,800.

For comfortable living in Donna without financial stress, target a household income of at least $50,160 — 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 Donna, Texas.

With a total population of 16,742, the city supports an active civilian workforce of 5,605 people. A strong employment base often indicates a stable economy, which is crucial when committing to a lease requiring a $33,440 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

5,605

Active civilian employees in Donna

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in Donna

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

To afford a 2-bedroom in Donna under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of at least $33,440. The median household income in Donna is $34,049.

Can I afford a 2-bedroom in Donna on $34,049?

The affordability verdict for Donna is "Manageable". The rent-to-income ratio is 29.5%, meaning median earners have a $609 surplus.

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

The median gross rent in Donna is $694/month. With a median household income of $34,049, residents spend approximately 29.5% of their income on rent.

What salary do I need for a studio in Donna?

A studio in Donna rents for approximately $585/month. Under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of $23,400 to afford this.

Is Donna considered an affordable place to live?

Based on the surplus of $609 and an affordability verdict of "Manageable", Donna is considered a manageable rental market when comparing the required 2-bedroom salary of $33,440 to the local median household income.

How Donna Compares

Other cities in Texas with salary requirements