City Report · TX

Princeton

Pop. 25,229·57th most expensive in Texas·Rental market data updated monthly for Princeton, TX
Median rent (all units)
$1,953/mo
Year-over-Year
-0.8%
Month-over-Month
+0.9%
vs US Median
-$12
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Princeton · $1,953
More expensive than 56% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
59/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 5% below what Princeton's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,953/mo
Expected by trend
$2,046/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Princeton's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,730
1 BR
$1,820
2 BR
$2,130
3 BR
$2,670
4 BR+
$3,430
Research median
$2,130/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
$23,436/yr
At $1,953/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Balanced Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.
Based on rent-price momentum (-0.8% YoY, +0.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Princeton, TX is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 28.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
25,229
Median income
$105,200
Median age
32.4
Renters
24.3%
Age distribution
30.5%
25.2%
30.1%
Under 1830.5%
18–3425.2%
35–5430.1%
55–647.2%
65+7%
Gender
49.7%
50.3%
Male49.7%
Female50.3%
Race & ethnicity
46.2%
27.1%
25.8%
White46.2%
Black27.1%
Hispanic25.8%
Asian6.2%
Education (25+)
27.5%
35%
28.6%
No HS diploma8.9%
HS diploma27.5%
Some college35%
Bachelor's+28.6%
Housing tenure
75.7%
24.3%
Owner75.7%
Renter24.3%

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

2022 vs 2026

How Princeton, TX has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,864 → $1,953
up 4.8%
Income
$85,548 → $105,200
up 23.0%
Population
16,683 → 25,229
up 51.2%
Renter share
26.4% → 24.3%
-2.1 pts
Bachelor's+
25.8% → 28.6%
+2.8 pts

Five years ago, renters in Princeton, TX paid around $1,864 a month. That figure now sits near $1,953, up 4.8% from the 2022 baseline. Median household income climbed from $85,548 to $105,200 between 2021 and 2024, a 23.0% shift. With wages climbing faster than rent over the same window, renters here have a bit more breathing room than they did five years back. Census counts show Princeton, TX adding about 8,546 residents over the five-year window, up 51.2% on net. The renter share has eased from 26.4% to 24.3%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 25.8% to 28.6% across the same window. Taken together, the five-year picture in Princeton, TX reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Princeton on your salary?

At $1,953/mo, how Princeton rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Princeton rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Princeton

About renting in Princeton, TX

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Princeton is $1,953/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,730/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,130/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,820/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,670/mo.

At 22% of local median household income ($105,200/yr), Princeton ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 0.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Princeton an affordable city for renters?

Princeton is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,953/mo, rent takes approximately 22% of the local median household income ($105,200/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Princeton falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Princeton?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $78,000/year (~$38/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,953/mo in Princeton. The local median household income is $105,200/yr, meaning the typical Princeton household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Princeton?

Rent in Princeton has decreased 0.8% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Princeton rent compare to other cities in Texas?

Princeton is one of the pricier cities in Texas for rent, ranking #57 out of 269 tracked cities at $1,953/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Princeton?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Princeton ($1,953/mo): Farmersville ($1,514/mo), Fairview ($1,662/mo), Wylie ($1,859/mo).

What percentage of Princeton residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 24.3% of Princeton households are renters, while 75.7% are owner-occupied. Princeton leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Princeton rent compare to the national average?

Princeton's median rent of $1,953/mo is $12 (1%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Texas, it ranks #57 out of 269 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
22%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,953/mo, rent takes ~22% of Princeton's median household income ($105,200/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Princeton 22%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Princeton, TX

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