How much does it cost to rent in Universal City, TX?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Universal City, TX is $1,115. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Universal City cheaper than other Texas cities?

Universal City is among the more affordable cities in Texas, ranking #263 out of 269 cities at $1,115/mo.

When was Universal City rent data last updated?

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

City Report · TX

Universal City

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

Pop. 20,189·263rd most expensive in Texas·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US

Median rent (all units)

$1,115/mo

Year-over-Year

+0.5%

Month-over-Month

-2.2%

vs US Median

-$850

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Universal City · $1,115

More affordable than 95% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Affordability

18% of income

VERY AFFORDABLE

0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,115/mo, rent takes about 18% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford

$45,000/yr

Local median income

$74,811/yr

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

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,090

1 BR

$1,200

2 BR

$1,460

3 BR

$1,850

4 BR+

$2,180

Research median

$1,460/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

$13,380/yr

At $1,115/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are softening (up only 0.5% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.

Based on rent-price momentum (+0.5% YoY, -2.2% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Universal City, TX is majority owner-occupied, 33.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

20,189

Median income

$74,811

Median age

37.1

Renters

42.5%

Age distribution

22.5%

24.3%

25.4%

13.3%

14.4%

Under 1822.5%

18–3424.3%

35–5425.4%

55–6413.3%

65+14.4%

Gender

51%

49%

Male51%

Female49%

Race & ethnicity

52.9%

43.2%

White52.9%

Black8.2%

Hispanic43.2%

Asian4.2%

Education (25+)

25.6%

35.9%

33.6%

No HS diploma4.9%

HS diploma25.6%

Some college35.9%

Bachelor's+33.6%

Housing tenure

57.5%

42.5%

Owner57.5%

Renter42.5%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Universal City, TX has changed in 5 years

Rent

$981 → $1,115

up 13.7%

Income

$64,115 → $74,811

up 16.7%

Population

19,679 → 20,189

up 2.6%

Renter share

44.4% → 42.5%

-1.9 pts

Bachelor's+

31% → 33.6%

+2.6 pts

Median age

35.4 → 37.1

+1.7 yrs

Five years ago, renters in Universal City, TX paid around $981 a month. That figure now sits near $1,115, up 13.7% from the 2021 baseline. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $64,115 in 2021 to $74,811 more recently. 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 Universal City, TX adding about 510 residents over the five-year window, up 2.6% on net. The renter share has eased from 44.4% to 42.5%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 31% to 33.6% across the same window. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Universal City, TX market of 2021.

Community

Discussions about Universal City

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View Universal City rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Universal City on your salary?

At $1,115/mo, how Universal City rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $93,535/yr · Rent = 14.3% income

very comfortable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $66,409/yr · Rent = 20.1% income

affordable

Police Officer

Avg $76,497/yr · Rent = 17.5% income

very comfortable

Software Developer

Avg $136,729/yr · Rent = 9.8% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $174,705/yr · Rent = 7.7% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $62,182/yr · Rent = 21.5% income

affordable

Truck Driver

Avg $56,143/yr · Rent = 23.8% income

affordable

Electrician

Avg $69,201/yr · Rent = 19.3% income

very comfortable

By apartment size

Universal City rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Universal City

About renting in Universal City, TX

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Universal City is $1,115/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,090/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,460/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,200/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,850/mo.

At 18% of local median household income ($74,811/yr), Universal City ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 0.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Universal City an affordable city for renters?

Universal City is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,115/mo, rent takes approximately 18% of the local median household income ($74,811/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Universal City falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Universal City?

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 $1,115/mo in Universal City. The local median household income is $74,811/yr, meaning the typical Universal City household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Universal City?

Rent in Universal City has increased 0.5% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Universal City rent compare to other cities in Texas?

Universal City is one of the more affordable cities in Texas for rent, ranking #263 out of 269 tracked cities at $1,115/mo.

What percentage of Universal City residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 42.5% of Universal City households are renters, while 57.5% are owner-occupied. Universal City leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Universal City rent compare to the national average?

Universal City's median rent of $1,115/mo is $850 (43%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Texas, it ranks #263 out of 269 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

18%

VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,115/mo, rent takes ~18% of Universal City's median household income ($74,811/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Universal City 18%Benchmark 30%

State income taxNone

Run the Universal City affordability calculator →

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