Can A Truck Driver Afford Rent in South Padre Island, TX?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 90% of gross income.
South Padre Island rent: April 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Texas state estimate).
About rent and a truck driver salary
Truck driver pay covers comfortable rent in most lower- and mid-cost US metros and stretches thin in the highest-cost ones. Because many drivers can base anywhere along their route, the home-city rent decision has an outsized effect on take-home. At the national-average driver salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,418 a month in rent. The per-city pages show which markets keep rent within that range and which push it out of reach.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Texas cities have lower median rent than South Padre Island, which improves the affordability math on a truck driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for South Padre Island
View full rent data for South Padre Island, TX →Frequently asked questions
Can a truck driver afford rent in South Padre Island, TX?
Median rent in South Padre Island is $4,212 a month. A typical truck driver in Texas earns about $56,143 a year, which makes that rent 90% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a truck driver afford in South Padre Island?
Using the 30% rule, a truck driver salary in Texas (~$56,143/yr) supports up to $1,404 a month in rent. South Padre Island's current median rent is $4,212/mo, which is $2,808/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a truck driver work to cover rent in South Padre Island?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a truck driver in Texas works roughly 156 hours a month to cover South Padre Island's median rent of $4,212.
Where is rent cheaper than South Padre Island for a truck driver?
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 truck driver salary.