Manageable

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Pharr?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Pharr, you need to earn at least $44,640/year based on estimated fair market rent data. The median household income here is $45,016, which means the typical resident is $376 above the threshold.

Census ACS Data Pop. 79,434

Salary Required by Bedroom Size

Bedroom	Monthly Rent	Monthly Income	Annual Salary	vs. Median
Studio	$781	$2,603	$31,240	$-13,776
1 Bedroom	$926	$3,087	$37,040	$-7,976
2 Bedroom BENCHMARK	$1,116	$3,720	$44,640	$-376
3 Bedroom	$1,362	$4,540	$54,480	+$9,464
4 Bedroom	$1,674	$5,580	$66,960	+$21,944

Affordability Breakdown

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

Required Salary Median Income

Income vs. Rent Snapshot

Median Income

$45,016

Annual household

2BR Required Salary

$44,640

Under 30% rule

Income Gap

+$376

Surplus

Verdict

Manageable

Ratio: 29.7%

The 30% Rule Calculator

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

Your Annual Salary

Pre-filled with Pharr's median household income

Max monthly rent you can afford$1,125

Studio

$781/mo

1 BR

$926/mo

2 BR

$1,116/mo

3 BR

$1,362/mo

4 BR

$1,674/mo

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

Salary Comparison by Bedroom

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

Affordable Above Median Median Income

What This Means If You're Moving to Pharr

Pharr is borderline manageable — the difference between required salary and median income is just $376. 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 ($926/month) or studio ($781/month) materially improves the math. For those needing more space, a 3-bedroom in Pharr pushes the required income to $54,480.

For comfortable living in Pharr without financial stress, target a household income of at least $66,960 — 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 Pharr, Texas.

With a total population of 79,434, the city supports an active civilian workforce of 31,316 people. A strong employment base often indicates a stable economy, which is crucial when committing to a lease requiring a $44,640 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

31,316

Active civilian employees in Pharr

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in Pharr

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

To afford a 2-bedroom in Pharr under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of at least $44,640. The median household income in Pharr is $45,016.

Can I afford a 2-bedroom in Pharr on $45,016?

The affordability verdict for Pharr is "Manageable". The rent-to-income ratio is 29.7%, meaning median earners have a $376 surplus.

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

The median gross rent in Pharr is $926/month. With a median household income of $45,016, residents spend approximately 29.7% of their income on rent.

What salary do I need for a studio in Pharr?

A studio in Pharr rents for approximately $781/month. Under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of $31,240 to afford this.

Is Pharr considered an affordable place to live?

Based on the surplus of $376 and an affordability verdict of "Manageable", Pharr is considered a manageable rental market when comparing the required 2-bedroom salary of $44,640 to the local median household income.

How Pharr Compares

Other cities in Texas with salary requirements