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City Report · TX

Brenham

Pop. 18,641·111th most expensive in Texas·Brenham rents are up 13.6% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,716/mo
Year-over-Year
+13.6%
Month-over-Month
-5.8%
vs US Median
-$249
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Brenham · $1,716
More affordable than 60% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
32% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,716/mo, rent takes about 32% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$69,000/yr
Local median income
$65,112/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Brenham's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$880
1 BR
$890
2 BR
$1,150
3 BR
$1,500
4 BR+
$1,560
Research median
$1,150/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$20,592/yr
At $1,716/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (13.6% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+13.6% YoY, -5.8% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Brenham, TX is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 32.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
18,641
Median income
$65,112
Median age
33.8
Renters
48.9%
Age distribution
22%
29.4%
19.4%
20.2%
Under 1822%
18–3429.4%
35–5419.4%
55–649%
65+20.2%
Gender
48.1%
51.9%
Male48.1%
Female51.9%
Race & ethnicity
55.8%
19.9%
24%
White55.8%
Black19.9%
Hispanic24%
Asian2.1%
Education (25+)
29.4%
26.3%
32.5%
No HS diploma11.9%
HS diploma29.4%
Some college26.3%
Bachelor's+32.5%
Housing tenure
51.1%
48.9%
Owner51.1%
Renter48.9%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Brenham, TX has changed in 5 years

Income
$54,536 → $65,112
up 19.4%
Population
17,385 → 18,641
up 7.2%
Renter share
43.7% → 48.9%
+5.2 pts
Bachelor's+
27.4% → 32.5%
+5.1 pts
Median age
35 → 33.8
-1.2 yrs

Census figures show median household income at $65,112 today, compared with $54,536 five years earlier. Census counts show Brenham, TX adding about 1,256 residents over the five-year window, up 7.2% on net. The renter share has risen from 43.7% to 48.9%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 27.4% to 32.5% across the same window.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Brenham on your salary?

At $1,716/mo, how Brenham rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Brenham rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Brenham

About renting in Brenham, TX

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Brenham is $1,716/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $880/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,150/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $890/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,500/mo.

At 32% of local median household income ($65,112/yr), Brenham ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 13.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Brenham an affordable city for renters?

Brenham is considered moderate for renters. At $1,716/mo, rent takes approximately 32% of the local median household income ($65,112/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Brenham slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Brenham?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $69,000/year (~$33/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,716/mo in Brenham. The local median household income is $65,112/yr, meaning the typical Brenham household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Brenham?

Rent in Brenham has increased 13.6% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Brenham rent compare to other cities in Texas?

Brenham is middle-of-the-pack for Texas for rent, ranking #111 out of 269 tracked cities at $1,716/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Brenham?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Brenham ($1,716/mo): Bryan ($1,428/mo), College Station ($1,446/mo), Waller ($1,463/mo).

What percentage of Brenham residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 48.9% of Brenham households are renters, while 51.1% are owner-occupied. Brenham leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Brenham rent compare to the national average?

Brenham's median rent of $1,716/mo is $249 (13%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Texas, it ranks #111 out of 269 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
32%
MODERATE

At $1,716/mo, rent takes ~32% of Brenham's median household income ($65,112/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Brenham 32%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Brenham, TX

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