Where rent has outpaced income in Texas since 2019

Texas cities ranked by rent growth minus household income growth from 2019 to 2024 (Zillow yearly average rent, Census 5-year income). Cities with 15,000+ residents.

Key findings

Harker Heights ranks first, with rent up 40.6% against household income up 8.5% since 2019.
Across all 83 cities on this list, the median rent is $1,596/mo.

Data as of September 2026. Change in Zillow's yearly average rent from 2019 to 2024, minus the change in Census median household income over the same years. Updated monthly. Download this list (CSV)

Best value (RRS)Overheated (RRS)Most affordable Most expensive Rent falling Rent rising Best rent/income Most rent-burdened Record-high rent Seasonal swings Rent vs. income

83 cities

Rank	City	Gap (points)	Rent since 2019	Income since 2019	Median rent
01	Harker HeightsTX Pop. 34KCompare →	+32.1	+40.6%	+8.5%	$1,459/mo
02	ForneyTX Pop. 32KCompare →	+27.5	+28.8%	+1.4%	$2,085/mo
03	RowlettTX Pop. 65KCompare →	+25.3	+36.1%	+10.9%	$1,634/mo
04	DesotoTX Pop. 56KCompare →	+22.9	+38.5%	+15.7%	$2,131/mo
05	College StationTX Pop. 125KCompare →	+22.0	+33.1%	+11.1%	$1,655/mo
06	LancasterTX Pop. 41KCompare →	+21.4	+40.7%	+19.3%	$2,252/mo
07	La PorteTX Pop. 37KCompare →	+21.2	+28.5%	+7.3%	$1,640/mo
08	AddisonTX Pop. 17KCompare →	+21.1	+19.6%	-1.5%	$1,591/mo
09	KilleenTX Pop. 158KCompare →	+21.0	+43.9%	+22.9%	$1,259/mo
10	Wichita FallsTX Pop. 103KCompare →	+19.8	+46.6%	+26.8%	$1,312/mo
11	BaytownTX Pop. 85KCompare →	+18.2	+22.8%	+4.6%	$1,491/mo
12	El PasoTX Pop. 680KCompare →	+17.7	+43.3%	+25.6%	$1,508/mo
13	BurlesonTX Pop. 53KCompare →	+17.5	+35.2%	+17.7%	$1,703/mo
14	GalvestonTX Pop. 53KCompare →	+17.4	+30.2%	+12.8%	$1,435/mo
15	Flower MoundTX Pop. 78KCompare →	+13.4	+30.8%	+17.4%	$2,298/mo
16	Sugar LandTX Pop. 110KCompare →	+13.0	+25.3%	+12.3%	$1,997/mo
17	AbileneTX Pop. 128KCompare →	+12.9	+36.5%	+23.7%	$1,988/mo
18	CoppellTX Pop. 42KCompare →	+11.4	+30.9%	+19.5%	$2,120/mo
19	PearlandTX Pop. 128KCompare →	+11.4	+25.1%	+13.7%	$1,898/mo
20	PlanoTX Pop. 291KCompare →	+11.3	+28.7%	+17.4%	$1,736/mo
21	TempleTX Pop. 90KCompare →	+11.3	+35.6%	+24.3%	$1,383/mo
22	AtascocitaTX Pop. 99KCompare →	+11.2	+29.1%	+17.9%	$1,799/mo
23	BeaumontTX Pop. 113KCompare →	+11.2	+23.8%	+12.6%	$1,287/mo
24	FriscoTX Pop. 219KCompare →	+10.3	+28.5%	+18.2%	$1,840/mo
25	Little ElmTX Pop. 55KCompare →	+10.2	+30.9%	+20.7%	$2,268/mo
26	BoerneTX Pop. 21KCompare →	+10.0	+29.5%	+19.5%	$1,436/mo
27	Grand PrairieTX Pop. 202KCompare →	+9.3	+30.4%	+21.1%	$1,673/mo
28	GarlandTX Pop. 247KCompare →	+9.3	+34.0%	+24.7%	$1,560/mo
29	AllenTX Pop. 110KCompare →	+9.1	+32.7%	+23.6%	$1,734/mo
30	Copperas CoveTX Pop. 38KCompare →	+8.9	+45.1%	+36.2%	$1,196/mo
31	PasadenaTX Pop. 149KCompare →	+8.6	+26.6%	+18.0%	$1,361/mo
32	ArlingtonTX Pop. 398KCompare →	+8.4	+32.5%	+24.1%	$1,468/mo
33	KyleTX Pop. 57KCompare →	+8.2	+22.0%	+13.8%	$1,566/mo
34	KellerTX Pop. 46KCompare →	+7.6	+31.4%	+23.8%	$2,032/mo
35	RichardsonTX Pop. 119KCompare →	+7.6	+22.1%	+14.5%	$1,648/mo
36	MansfieldTX Pop. 78KCompare →	+7.3	+29.0%	+21.7%	$1,707/mo
37	WacoTX Pop. 144KCompare →	+7.0	+42.3%	+35.3%	$1,342/mo
38	RockwallTX Pop. 51KCompare →	+6.9	+27.8%	+20.8%	$1,764/mo
39	Round RockTX Pop. 128KCompare →	+6.5	+26.5%	+20.1%	$1,709/mo
40	EulessTX Pop. 60KCompare →	+6.4	+31.1%	+24.6%	$1,628/mo
41	LongviewTX Pop. 83KCompare →	+6.3	+35.3%	+29.0%	$1,140/mo
42	AmarilloTX Pop. 202KCompare →	+4.8	+29.8%	+25.0%	$1,305/mo
43	EdinburgTX Pop. 105KCompare →	+4.4	+26.5%	+22.2%	$1,027/mo
44	WaxahachieTX Pop. 45KCompare →	+4.0	+34.6%	+30.7%	$1,780/mo
45	DentonTX Pop. 153KCompare →	+3.9	+30.6%	+26.7%	$1,492/mo
46	CarrolltonTX Pop. 134KCompare →	+3.7	+33.2%	+29.5%	$1,650/mo
47	Corpus ChristiTX Pop. 317KCompare →	+3.7	+23.3%	+19.6%	$1,422/mo
48	WylieTX Pop. 60KCompare →	+3.2	+32.6%	+29.4%	$1,880/mo
49	GrapevineTX Pop. 51KCompare →	+3.2	+25.4%	+22.2%	$1,746/mo
50	New BraunfelsTX Pop. 105KCompare →	+2.8	+23.8%	+21.1%	$1,560/mo