How much does it cost to rent in Harlingen, TX?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Harlingen, TX is $1,135. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Harlingen cheaper than other Texas cities?

Harlingen is among the more affordable cities in Texas, ranking #260 out of 269 cities at $1,135/mo.

When was Harlingen rent data last updated?

Harlingen rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

Is Harlingen a renter's market or a landlord's market?

Based on RentDataNow's Rent Market Meter, Harlingen is currently a renter's market. Rents are softening (up only 0.3% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage. The meter is derived from rent-price momentum (year-over-year and month-over-month change), not inventory levels.

City Report · TX

Harlingen

Name: Average Rent Prices in Harlingen, TX
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 72,087·260th most expensive in Texas·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US

Median rent (all units)

$1,135/mo

Year-over-Year

+0.3%

Month-over-Month

-1.3%

vs US Median

-$830

Falling (Monthly)

Be the first to discuss Harlingen rents ↓

Most AffordableMost Expensive

Harlingen · $1,135

More affordable than 94% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

65/100

Good value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 7% below what Harlingen's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$1,135/mo

Expected by trend

$1,225/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Harlingen's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$705

1 BR

$800

2 BR

$1,000

3 BR

$1,335

4 BR+

$1,380

Research median

$1,000/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$13,620/yr

At $1,135/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are softening (up only 0.3% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.

Based on rent-price momentum (+0.3% YoY, -1.3% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Harlingen, TX is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 22.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

72,087

Median income

$53,645

Median age

33.4

Renters

43.9%

Age distribution

28.8%

23.5%

21.1%

16.4%

Under 1828.8%

18–3423.5%

35–5421.1%

55–6410.3%

65+16.4%

Gender

49.7%

50.3%

Male49.7%

Female50.3%

Race & ethnicity

43.6%

82.3%

White43.6%

Black1.7%

Hispanic82.3%

Asian1%

Education (25+)

20.3%

27.8%

29.4%

22.6%

No HS diploma20.3%

HS diploma27.8%

Some college29.4%

Bachelor's+22.6%

Housing tenure

56.1%

43.9%

Owner56.1%

Renter43.9%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Harlingen, TX has changed in 5 years

Rent

$876 → $1,135

up 29.6%

Income

$46,507 → $53,645

up 15.3%

Population

71,124 → 72,087

up 1.4%

Renter share

42.5% → 43.9%

+1.4 pts

Bachelor's+

20.2% → 22.6%

+2.4 pts

Median age

31.8 → 33.4

+1.6 yrs

Compared with 2021, rent in Harlingen, TX has increased by $259 per month, settling near $1,135 after starting the period at $876. On the earnings side, the typical household in Harlingen, TX now reports about $53,645, up from $46,507 in 2021. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 14.3 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 71,124 to 72,087 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.4% change. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 20.2% to 22.6%. For context, the 2021 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Harlingen, TX reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

Discussions about Harlingen

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View Harlingen rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Harlingen on your salary?

At $1,135/mo, how Harlingen rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $93,535/yr · Rent = 14.6% income

very comfortable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $66,409/yr · Rent = 20.5% income

affordable

Police Officer

Avg $76,497/yr · Rent = 17.8% income

very comfortable

Software Developer

Avg $136,729/yr · Rent = 10% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $174,705/yr · Rent = 7.8% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $62,182/yr · Rent = 21.9% income

affordable

Truck Driver

Avg $56,143/yr · Rent = 24.3% income

affordable

Electrician

Avg $69,201/yr · Rent = 19.7% income

very comfortable

By apartment size

Harlingen rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Harlingen

About renting in Harlingen, TX

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Harlingen is $1,135/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $705/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,000/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $800/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,335/mo.

At 25% of local median household income ($53,645/yr), Harlingen ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 0.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Harlingen an affordable city for renters?

Harlingen is considered affordable for renters. At $1,135/mo, rent takes approximately 25% of the local median household income ($53,645/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Harlingen falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Harlingen?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $45,000/year (~$22/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,135/mo in Harlingen. The local median household income is $53,645/yr, meaning the typical Harlingen household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Harlingen?

Rent in Harlingen has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.3% change year over year as of July 2026.

Which Harlingen neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Harlingen are 78550 ($1,072/mo), and 78552 ($1,320/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Harlingen is $1,135/mo.

How does Harlingen rent compare to other cities in Texas?

Harlingen is one of the more affordable cities in Texas for rent, ranking #260 out of 269 tracked cities at $1,135/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Harlingen?

Weslaco is nearby and more affordable at $1,094/mo, which is $41 less than Harlingen.

What percentage of Harlingen residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 43.9% of Harlingen households are renters, while 56.1% are owner-occupied. Harlingen leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Harlingen rent compare to the national average?

Harlingen's median rent of $1,135/mo is $830 (42%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Texas, it ranks #260 out of 269 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

25%

AFFORDABLE

At $1,135/mo, rent takes ~25% of Harlingen's median household income ($53,645/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Harlingen 25%Benchmark 30%

State income taxNone

Run the Harlingen affordability calculator →

Nearby cities