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City Report · TX

Melissa

Pop. 20,136·66th most expensive in Texas·Melissa rents are up 12.6% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,927/mo
Year-over-Year
+12.6%
Month-over-Month
-0.7%
vs US Median
-$38
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Melissa · $1,927
More expensive than 54% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
27/100
Overpriced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 11% above what Melissa's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent
$1,927/mo
Expected by trend
$1,729/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Melissa's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,455
1 BR
$1,525
2 BR
$1,790
3 BR
$2,246
4 BR+
$2,885
Research median
$1,790/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
$23,124/yr
At $1,927/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 12.6% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+12.6% YoY, -0.7% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Melissa, TX is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 52.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
20,136
Median income
$138,763
Median age
36.3
Renters
11.3%
Age distribution
30.7%
17.3%
37.7%
Under 1830.7%
18–3417.3%
35–5437.7%
55–647.6%
65+6.7%
Gender
50.8%
49.2%
Male50.8%
Female49.2%
Race & ethnicity
62.3%
16.4%
14.9%
White62.3%
Black16.4%
Hispanic14.9%
Asian8.9%
Education (25+)
18.4%
22.4%
52.6%
No HS diploma6.6%
HS diploma18.4%
Some college22.4%
Bachelor's+52.6%
Housing tenure
88.7%
Owner88.7%
Renter11.3%

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

2023 vs 2026

How Melissa, TX has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,116 → $1,927
down 8.9%
Income
$127,391 → $138,763
up 8.9%
Population
13,671 → 20,136
up 47.3%
Renter share
11.6% → 11.3%
-0.3 pts
Bachelor's+
45.5% → 52.6%
+7.1 pts

Compared with 2023, rent in Melissa, TX has declined by $189 per month, settling near $1,927 after starting the period at $2,116. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $127,391 in 2021 to $138,763 more recently. Income growth outran rent by about 17.8 percentage points, easing the affordability math somewhat compared with 2021. Headcount in the area went from 13,671 to 20,136 between 2021 and 2024, a 47.3% change. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 45.5% to 52.6%. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Melissa, TX market of 2023.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Melissa on your salary?

At $1,927/mo, how Melissa rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Melissa rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Melissa

About renting in Melissa, TX

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Melissa is $1,927/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,455/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,790/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,525/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,246/mo.

At 17% of local median household income ($138,763/yr), Melissa ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 12.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Melissa an affordable city for renters?

Melissa is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,927/mo, rent takes approximately 17% of the local median household income ($138,763/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Melissa falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Melissa?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $77,000/year (~$37/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,927/mo in Melissa. The local median household income is $138,763/yr, meaning the typical Melissa household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Melissa?

Rent in Melissa has increased 12.6% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Melissa rent compare to other cities in Texas?

Melissa is one of the pricier cities in Texas for rent, ranking #66 out of 269 tracked cities at $1,927/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Melissa?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Melissa ($1,927/mo): Fairview ($1,662/mo), Van Alstyne ($1,704/mo), McKinney ($1,819/mo).

What percentage of Melissa residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 11.3% of Melissa households are renters, while 88.7% are owner-occupied. Melissa leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Melissa rent compare to the national average?

Melissa's median rent of $1,927/mo is $38 (2%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Texas, it ranks #66 out of 269 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
17%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,927/mo, rent takes ~17% of Melissa's median household income ($138,763/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Melissa 17%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Melissa, TX

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