ZIP Code · TX

ZIP 77488

Part of Wharton, TX

Pop. 14,548·Wharton County·498th most expensive ZIP in Texas

Median rent (all units)

$1,375/mo

Year-over-Year

Stable

Month-over-Month

+20.6%

vs US Median

-$557

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 77488 · $1,375

More affordable than 81% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$790

1 BR

$870

2 BR

$1,140

3 BR

$1,550

4 BR+

$1,780

Research median

$1,140/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

From the history

What the numbers show

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($60,327) is $1,508 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,140); a 3-bedroom is $1,550.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 77488. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$16,500/yr

At $1,375/mo median

Location

CityWharton

StateTX

CountyWharton County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +20.6% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 77488 (Wharton, TX) is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 21.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

14,548

Median income

$60,327

Median age

40.2

Renters

32.4%

Age distribution

23.3%

21.1%

22.1%

14.5%

19.1%

Under 1823.3%

18–3421.1%

35–5422.1%

55–6414.5%

65+19.1%

Gender

48.7%

51.3%

Male48.7%

Female51.3%

Race & ethnicity

48.8%

18.2%

42.8%

White48.8%

Black18.2%

Hispanic42.8%

Asian0.9%

Education (25+)

33.4%

34.3%

21.3%

No HS diploma10.9%

HS diploma33.4%

Some college34.3%

Bachelor's+21.3%

Housing tenure

67.6%

32.4%

Owner67.6%

Renter32.4%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 77488 in Wharton, TX has changed in 5 years

Income

$51,789 → $60,327

up 16.5%

Population

14,721 → 14,548

down 1.2%

Renter share

36.9% → 32.4%

-4.5 pts

Bachelor's+

15.2% → 21.3%

+6.1 pts

Median age

38.8 → 40.2

+1.4 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in ZIP 77488 in Wharton, TX now reports about $60,327, up from $51,789 in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 14,721 to 14,548 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.2% change. About 32.4% of households rent today, against 36.9% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 15.2% to 21.3%.

Community

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Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 77488

About renting in ZIP 77488

Last updated: July 20, 2026

ZIP code 77488 covers Wharton, TX. The median rent here is $1,375/mo as of July 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $870/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,140/mo.

At 27% of local median household income ($60,327/yr), ZIP 77488 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 77488?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $55,000/year (about $26/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,375/mo in ZIP 77488. The local median household income is $60,327/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.