City Report · TX

South Padre Island

Pop. 2,891·4th most expensive in Texas·One of the pricier rental markets in the US

Median rent (all units)

$2,758/mo

Year-over-Year

Stable

Month-over-Month

+9.0%

vs US Median

+$826

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

South Padre Island · $2,758

More expensive than 86% of US cities · National median $1,932/mo

Affordability

47% of income

STRETCHED

0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,758/mo, rent takes about 47% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford

$110,000/yr

Local median income

$70,472/yr

Based on the 30%-of-income rule using South Padre Island's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Past year vs. the rest of Texas

Rent in South Padre Island changed -2.1% over the year to September 2026. Across the 224 Texas cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +1.0%.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for South Padre Island.

Annual cost

$33,096/yr

At $2,758/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +9.0% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

South Padre Island, TX is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 52.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

2,891

Median income

$70,472

Median age

60.8

Renters

30.2%

Age distribution

15.2%

29.7%

40%

Under 189.5%

18–3415.2%

35–545.6%

55–6429.7%

65+40%

Gender

55.1%

44.9%

Male55.1%

Female44.9%

Race & ethnicity

74.3%

13.6%

White74.3%

Black7.4%

Hispanic13.6%

Asian3.7%

Other1.1%

Education (25+)

13.2%

27.7%

52.7%

No HS diploma6.3%

HS diploma13.2%

Some college27.7%

Bachelor's+52.7%

Housing tenure

69.8%

30.2%

Owner69.8%

Renter30.2%

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

2021 vs 2026

How South Padre Island, TX has changed in 5 years

Income

$60,688 → $70,472

up 16.1%

Population

2,138 → 2,891

up 35.2%

Renter share

33.9% → 30.2%

-3.7 pts

Bachelor's+

55% → 52.7%

-2.3 pts

Median age

58.5 → 60.8

+2.3 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in South Padre Island, TX now reports about $70,472, up from $60,688 in 2021. The population has grown by 35.2% since 2021, moving from about 2,138 residents to roughly 2,891. Renters now make up 30.2% of households, compared with 33.9% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 52.7% of adults here, versus 55% in 2021.

Community

Discussions about South Padre Island

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View South Padre Island rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in South Padre Island on your salary?

At $2,758/mo, how South Padre Island rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $93,535/yr · Rent = 35.4% income

stretched

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $66,409/yr · Rent = 49.8% income

rent-burdened

Police Officer

Avg $76,497/yr · Rent = 43.3% income

rent-burdened

Software Developer

Avg $136,729/yr · Rent = 24.2% income

affordable

Lawyer

Avg $174,705/yr · Rent = 18.9% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $62,182/yr · Rent = 53.2% income

severely rent-burdened

Truck Driver

Avg $56,143/yr · Rent = 58.9% income

severely rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $69,201/yr · Rent = 47.8% income

rent-burdened

Local insights

Tips for renters in South Padre Island

About renting in South Padre Island, TX

Last updated: October 17, 2026

The median rent in South Padre Island is $2,758/mo as of October 2026.

At 47% of local median household income ($70,472/yr), South Padre Island ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in South Padre Island?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $110,000/year (about $53/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,758/mo in South Padre Island. The local median household income is $70,472/yr, so the typical household falls short of that bar.

Is rent going up or down in South Padre Island?

Rent in South Padre Island has been roughly flat over the past year, a 0.0% change.

How does South Padre Island rent compare to other cities in Texas?

South Padre Island is one of the pricier among Texas cities for rent, ranking #4 of 257 tracked cities at $2,758/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in South Padre Island changed -2.1%, against a typical +1.0% across the 224 Texas cities Zillow tracks.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than South Padre Island?

Nearby cities with lower median rent than South Padre Island ($2,758/mo) include Harlingen ($1,157/mo), Rancho Viejo ($1,595/mo), and Brownsville ($1,703/mo).

Income Affordability

47%

STRETCHED

At $2,758/mo, rent takes ~47% of South Padre Island's median household income ($70,472/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

South Padre Island 47%Benchmark 30%

State income taxNone

Run the South Padre Island affordability calculator →

Nearby cities