ZIP Code · TX

ZIP 78520

Part of Brownsville, TX

Pop. 64,740·Cameron County·398th most expensive ZIP in Texas

Median rent (all units)

$1,521/mo

Year-over-Year

+5.8%

Month-over-Month

+0.8%

vs US Median

-$411

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 78520 · $1,521

More affordable than 71% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$780

1 BR

$870

2 BR

$1,050

3 BR

$1,420

4 BR+

$1,480

Research median

$1,050/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

Past year vs. the rest of Texas

Rent in ZIP 78520 changed +5.8% 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 2 months in a row, and rose in 8 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($50,116) is $1,253 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,050); a 3-bedroom is $1,420.

Rank in Brownsville

1st cheapest of 3 ZIP codes in Brownsville.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 78520. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$18,252/yr

At $1,521/mo median

Location

CityBrownsville

StateTX

CountyCameron County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 5.8% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+5.8% YoY, +0.8% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 78520 (Brownsville, TX) is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 23.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

64,740

Median income

$50,116

Median age

31.9

Renters

39.8%

Age distribution

27.8%

25.7%

23.9%

13.9%

Under 1827.8%

18–3425.7%

35–5423.9%

55–648.7%

65+13.9%

Gender

48.6%

51.4%

Male48.6%

Female51.4%

Race & ethnicity

31.5%

92.9%

White31.5%

Black0.6%

Hispanic92.9%

Asian0.6%

Education (25+)

30.5%

23%

22.6%

23.9%

No HS diploma30.5%

HS diploma23%

Some college22.6%

Bachelor's+23.9%

Housing tenure

60.2%

39.8%

Owner60.2%

Renter39.8%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 78520 in Brownsville, TX has changed in 5 years

Income

$42,484 → $50,116

up 18.0%

Population

60,592 → 64,740

up 6.8%

Renter share

43.3% → 39.8%

-3.5 pts

Bachelor's+

20.1% → 23.9%

+3.8 pts

Median age

32.5 → 31.9

-0.6 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in ZIP 78520 in Brownsville, TX now reports about $50,116, up from $42,484 in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 60,592 to 64,740 between 2021 and 2024, a 6.8% change. About 39.8% of households rent today, against 43.3% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 20.1% to 23.9%.

Community

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Local insights

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About renting in ZIP 78520

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 78520 covers Brownsville, TX. The median rent here is $1,521/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $870/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,050/mo.

At 36% of local median household income ($50,116/yr), ZIP 78520 ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 78520?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $61,000/year (about $29/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,521/mo in ZIP 78520. The local median household income is $50,116/yr, so the typical household falls short of that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 78520?

Rent in ZIP 78520 has risen 5.8% over the past year.

How does ZIP 78520 compare to other ZIPs in Texas?

ZIP 78520 is in the middle among Texas ZIP codes for rent, ranking #398 of 693 at $1,521/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 78520 changed +5.8%, against a typical +1.2% across the 629 Texas ZIP codes Zillow tracks.