ZIP Code · TX

ZIP 78504

Part of McAllen, TX

Pop. 63,094·Hidalgo County·265th most expensive ZIP in Texas

Median rent (all units)

$1,684/mo

Year-over-Year

+3.2%

Month-over-Month

+0.7%

vs US Median

-$248

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 78504 · $1,684

More affordable than 59% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

Rent check

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Compare your rent to the local median.

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,050

1 BR

$1,050

2 BR

$1,320

3 BR

$1,710

4 BR+

$1,900

Research median

$1,320/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: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 78504 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in February 2022.

Past year vs. the rest of Texas

Rent in ZIP 78504 changed +3.2% over the year to September 2026. Across the 629 Texas ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +1.2%.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 5 months in a row, and rose in 8 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($81,905) is $2,048 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($1,900).

Rank in McAllen

3rd cheapest of 3 ZIP codes in McAllen.

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 78539, 3 miles away, rents for 32% less ($1,147/mo), about $6,400 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 78504. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$20,208/yr

At $1,684/mo median

Location

CityMcAllen

StateTX

CountyHidalgo County

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (3.2% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+3.2% YoY, +0.7% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 78504 (McAllen, TX) is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, 39.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

63,094

Median income

$81,905

Median age

32.5

Renters

30.1%

Age distribution

29.4%

24%

26.9%

Under 1829.4%

18–3424%

35–5426.9%

55–649.3%

65+10.4%

Gender

49.8%

50.2%

Male49.8%

Female50.2%

Race & ethnicity

34.4%

82.4%

White34.4%

Black0.9%

Hispanic82.4%

Asian4.7%

Education (25+)

13.2%

19.9%

27.4%

39.5%

No HS diploma13.2%

HS diploma19.9%

Some college27.4%

Bachelor's+39.5%

Housing tenure

69.9%

30.1%

Owner69.9%

Renter30.1%

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

2022 vs 2026

How ZIP 78504 in McAllen, TX has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,460 → $1,684

up 15.3%

Income

$68,024 → $81,905

up 20.4%

Population

60,740 → 63,094

up 3.9%

Renter share

32.3% → 30.1%

-2.2 pts

Bachelor's+

37% → 39.5%

+2.5 pts

Median age

30.6 → 32.5

+1.9 yrs

Five years ago, renters in ZIP 78504 in McAllen, TX paid around $1,460 a month. That figure now sits near $1,684, up 15.3% from the 2022 baseline. On the earnings side, the typical household in ZIP 78504 in McAllen, TX now reports about $81,905, up from $68,024 in 2021. 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 ZIP 78504 in McAllen, TX adding about 2,354 residents over the five-year window, up 3.9% on net. The renter share has eased from 32.3% to 30.1%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 37% to 39.5% across the same window. For context, the 2022 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and ZIP 78504 in McAllen, TX reflects that arc in its own way.

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About renting in ZIP 78504

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 78504 covers McAllen, TX. The median rent here is $1,684/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,050/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,320/mo.

At 25% of local median household income ($81,905/yr), ZIP 78504 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 78504?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $67,000/year (about $32/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,684/mo in ZIP 78504. The local median household income is $81,905/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 78504?

Rent in ZIP 78504 has risen 3.2% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in February 2022.

How does ZIP 78504 compare to other ZIPs in Texas?

ZIP 78504 is in the middle among Texas ZIP codes for rent, ranking #265 of 693 at $1,684/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 78504 changed +3.2%, against a typical +1.2% across the 629 Texas ZIP codes Zillow tracks.