Can A Registered Nurse Afford Rent in South Padre Island, TX?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 54% of gross income.
South Padre Island rent: April 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Texas state estimate).
About rent and a registered nurse salary
Rent is the single largest fixed cost most renters carry, and the rent-to-income ratio is the simplest measure of whether a city is livable on a given salary. For renters earning a typical registered-nurse income, the 30% rule supports about $2,360 a month in rent. That margin covers comfortable one-bedroom rent in the vast majority of US metros but tightens significantly in the highest-rent coastal cities, where rent can claim 40% or more of an RN paycheck. The per-city pages below show the local rent, the local nurse-pay estimate, and where that combination sits on the affordability scale.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Texas cities have lower median rent than South Padre Island, which improves the affordability math on a registered nurse salary:
Compare with full rent data for South Padre Island
View full rent data for South Padre Island, TX →Frequently asked questions
Can a registered nurse afford rent in South Padre Island, TX?
Median rent in South Padre Island is $4,212 a month. A typical registered nurse in Texas earns about $93,535 a year, which makes that rent 54% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a registered nurse afford in South Padre Island?
Using the 30% rule, a registered nurse salary in Texas (~$93,535/yr) supports up to $2,338 a month in rent. South Padre Island's current median rent is $4,212/mo, which is $1,874/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a registered nurse work to cover rent in South Padre Island?
At an hourly equivalent of about $45 an hour, a registered nurse in Texas works roughly 93.7 hours a month to cover South Padre Island's median rent of $4,212.
Where is rent cheaper than South Padre Island for a registered nurse?
Nearby Texas cities with lower median rent include University Park ($4,163/mo), Spicewood ($3,358/mo), Spicewood ($3,274/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a registered nurse salary.