City Report · TX

Alton

Pop. 20,214·264th most expensive in Texas·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,047/mo
Year-over-Year
+2.4%
Month-over-Month
+0.3%
vs US Median
-$915
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Alton · $1,047
More affordable than 97% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
24% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,047/mo, rent takes about 24% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$42,000/yr
Local median income
$52,715/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Alton's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$750
1 BR
$750
2 BR
$930
3 BR
$1,210
4 BR+
$1,350
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$930/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,047 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$12,564/yr
At $1,047/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (2.4% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+2.4% YoY, +0.3% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Alton, TX is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 14.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
20,214
Median income
$52,715
Median age
26.1
Renters
45%
Age distribution
35.5%
29%
22.4%
Under 1835.5%
18–3429%
35–5422.4%
55–645.9%
65+7.1%
Gender
51.2%
48.8%
Male51.2%
Female48.8%
Race & ethnicity
13.7%
96.8%
White13.7%
Hispanic96.8%
Education (25+)
32.8%
29.3%
23.6%
14.2%
No HS diploma32.8%
HS diploma29.3%
Some college23.6%
Bachelor's+14.2%
Housing tenure
55%
45%
Owner55%
Renter45%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Alton, TX has changed in 5 years

Income
$39,077 → $52,715
up 34.9%
Population
17,993 → 20,214
up 12.3%
Renter share
40.5% → 45%
+4.5 pts
Bachelor's+
11.1% → 14.2%
+3.1 pts
Median age
25.4 → 26.1
+0.7 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $39,077 to $52,715 across the same window, up 34.9% versus 2021. Headcount in the area went from 17,993 to 20,214 between 2021 and 2024, a 12.3% change. About 45% of households rent today, against 40.5% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 11.1% to 14.2%.

Community

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View Alton rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Alton on your salary?

At $1,047/mo, how Alton rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Alton rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Alton. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Alton

About renting in Alton, TX

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Alton is $1,047/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $750/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $930/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $750/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,210/mo.

At 24% of local median household income ($52,715/yr), Alton ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Alton an affordable city for renters?

Alton is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,047/mo, rent takes approximately 24% of the local median household income ($52,715/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Alton falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Alton?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $42,000/year (~$20/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,047/mo in Alton. The local median household income is $52,715/yr, meaning the typical Alton household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Alton?

Rent in Alton has increased 2.4% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Alton rent compare to other cities in Texas?

Alton is one of the more affordable cities in Texas for rent, ranking #264 out of 267 tracked cities at $1,047/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Alton?

Edinburg is nearby and more affordable at $1,014/mo, which is $33 less than Alton.

What percentage of Alton residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 45% of Alton households are renters, while 55% are owner-occupied. Alton leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Alton rent compare to the national average?

Alton's median rent of $1,047/mo is $915 (47%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Texas, it ranks #264 out of 267 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
24%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,047/mo, rent takes ~24% of Alton's median household income ($52,715/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Alton 24%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Alton, TX

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