Manageable

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Roma?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Roma, you need to earn at least $22,560/year based on estimated fair market rent data. The median household income here is $26,951, which means the typical resident is $4,391 above the threshold.

Census ACS Data Pop. 11,531

Salary Required by Bedroom Size

Bedroom	Monthly Rent	Monthly Income	Annual Salary	vs. Median
Studio	$395	$1,317	$15,800	$-11,151
1 Bedroom	$468	$1,560	$18,720	$-8,231
2 Bedroom BENCHMARK	$564	$1,880	$22,560	$-4,391
3 Bedroom	$688	$2,293	$27,520	+$569
4 Bedroom	$846	$2,820	$33,840	+$6,889

Affordability Breakdown

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

Required Salary Median Income

Income vs. Rent Snapshot

Median Income

$26,951

Annual household

2BR Required Salary

$22,560

Under 30% rule

Income Gap

+$4,391

Surplus

Verdict

Manageable

Ratio: 25.1%

The 30% Rule Calculator

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

Your Annual Salary

Pre-filled with Roma's median household income

Max monthly rent you can afford$674

Studio

$395/mo

1 BR

$468/mo

2 BR

$564/mo

3 BR

$688/mo

4 BR

$846/mo

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

Salary Comparison by Bedroom

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

Affordable Above Median Median Income

What This Means If You're Moving to Roma

Roma is borderline manageable — the difference between required salary and median income is just $4,391. 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 ($468/month) or studio ($395/month) materially improves the math. For those needing more space, a 3-bedroom in Roma pushes the required income to $27,520.

For comfortable living in Roma without financial stress, target a household income of at least $33,840 — 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 Roma, Texas.

With a total population of 11,531, the city supports an active civilian workforce of 3,855 people. A strong employment base often indicates a stable economy, which is crucial when committing to a lease requiring a $22,560 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

3,855

Active civilian employees in Roma

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in Roma

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

To afford a 2-bedroom in Roma under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of at least $22,560. The median household income in Roma is $26,951.

Can I afford a 2-bedroom in Roma on $26,951?

The affordability verdict for Roma is "Manageable". The rent-to-income ratio is 25.1%, meaning median earners have a $4,391 surplus.

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

The median gross rent in Roma is $468/month. With a median household income of $26,951, residents spend approximately 25.1% of their income on rent.

What salary do I need for a studio in Roma?

A studio in Roma rents for approximately $395/month. Under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of $15,800 to afford this.

Is Roma considered an affordable place to live?

Based on the surplus of $4,391 and an affordability verdict of "Manageable", Roma is considered a manageable rental market when comparing the required 2-bedroom salary of $22,560 to the local median household income.

How Roma Compares

Other cities in Texas with salary requirements