City Report · TX

Stephenville

Pop. 21,682·266th most expensive in Texas·Stephenville rents have dropped 36.9%, currently a renter's market
Median rent (all units)
$899/mo
Year-over-Year
-36.9%
Month-over-Month
-5.7%
vs US Median
-$1,063
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Stephenville · $899
More affordable than 99% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
20% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $899/mo, rent takes about 20% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$36,000/yr
Local median income
$53,015/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Stephenville's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$800
1 BR
$810
2 BR
$1,060
3 BR
$1,490
4 BR+
$1,780
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,060/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $899 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$10,788/yr
At $899/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 36.9% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-36.9% YoY, -5.7% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Stephenville, TX is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 33.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
21,682
Median income
$53,015
Median age
25.1
Renters
55.7%
Age distribution
18.6%
48.2%
15.6%
Under 1818.6%
18–3448.2%
35–5415.6%
55–646.5%
65+11.1%
Gender
46.7%
53.3%
Male46.7%
Female53.3%
Race & ethnicity
78.3%
20.9%
White78.3%
Black3%
Hispanic20.9%
Asian1.8%
Education (25+)
27.7%
28.8%
33.3%
No HS diploma10.2%
HS diploma27.7%
Some college28.8%
Bachelor's+33.3%
Housing tenure
44.3%
55.7%
Owner44.3%
Renter55.7%

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

2023 vs 2026

How Stephenville, TX has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,340 → $899
down 32.9%
Income
$50,552 → $53,015
up 4.9%
Population
20,504 → 21,682
up 5.7%
Renter share
57% → 55.7%
-1.3 pts
Bachelor's+
31.9% → 33.3%
+1.4 pts

Across the past five years, the going rent in Stephenville, TX has shifted from $1,340 to $899, down 32.9% since 2023. Household income in the area moved from $50,552 to $53,015 across the same window, up 4.9% versus 2021. 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 Stephenville, TX adding about 1,178 residents over the five-year window, up 5.7% on net. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Stephenville, TX look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Stephenville on your salary?

At $899/mo, how Stephenville rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Stephenville rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Stephenville

About renting in Stephenville, TX

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Stephenville is $899/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $800/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,060/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $810/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,490/mo.

At 20% of local median household income ($53,015/yr), Stephenville ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 36.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Stephenville an affordable city for renters?

Stephenville is considered very affordable for renters. At $899/mo, rent takes approximately 20% of the local median household income ($53,015/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Stephenville falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Stephenville?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $36,000/year (~$17/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $899/mo in Stephenville. The local median household income is $53,015/yr, meaning the typical Stephenville household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Stephenville?

Rent in Stephenville has decreased 36.9% over the past year as of August 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Stephenville rent compare to other cities in Texas?

Stephenville is one of the more affordable cities in Texas for rent, ranking #266 out of 267 tracked cities at $899/mo.

What percentage of Stephenville residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 55.7% of Stephenville households are renters, while 44.3% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Stephenville has a strong rental market.

How does Stephenville rent compare to the national average?

Stephenville's median rent of $899/mo is $1,063 (54%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Texas, it ranks #266 out of 267 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
20%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $899/mo, rent takes ~20% of Stephenville's median household income ($53,015/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Stephenville 20%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Stephenville, TX

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