ZIP Code · TX

ZIP 78526

Part of Brownsville, TX

Pop. 60,012·Cameron County·121st most expensive ZIP in Texas

Median rent (all units)

$1,897/mo

Year-over-Year

+5.4%

Month-over-Month

+1.2%

vs US Median

-$35

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 78526 · $1,897

More expensive than 55% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Compare your rent to the local median.

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$920

1 BR

$1,030

2 BR

$1,240

3 BR

$1,670

4 BR+

$1,750

Research median

$1,240/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 78526 changed +5.4% over the year to September 2026. Across the 629 Texas ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +1.2%.

Recent direction

Rent rose in 8 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($70,565) is $1,764 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($1,750).

Rank in Brownsville

3rd cheapest of 3 ZIP codes in Brownsville.

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 78575, 6 miles away, rents for 13% less ($1,656/mo), about $2,900 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 78526. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$22,764/yr

At $1,897/mo median

Location

CityBrownsville

StateTX

CountyCameron County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 5.4% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+5.4% YoY, +1.2% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 78526 (Brownsville, TX) is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, 33.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

60,012

Median income

$70,565

Median age

29.7

Renters

30.8%

Age distribution

31.9%

25.2%

Under 1831.9%

18–3425.2%

35–5425.2%

55–648%

65+9.6%

Gender

49.8%

50.2%

Male49.8%

Female50.2%

Race & ethnicity

29%

92.3%

White29%

Hispanic92.3%

Asian1.7%

Education (25+)

19.3%

21.4%

25.4%

33.9%

No HS diploma19.3%

HS diploma21.4%

Some college25.4%

Bachelor's+33.9%

Housing tenure

69.2%

30.8%

Owner69.2%

Renter30.8%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 78526 in Brownsville, TX has changed in 5 years

Income

$62,912 → $70,565

up 12.2%

Population

58,713 → 60,012

up 2.2%

Renter share

30.1% → 30.8%

+0.7 pts

Bachelor's+

28.8% → 33.9%

+5.1 pts

Median age

29.1 → 29.7

+0.6 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in ZIP 78526 in Brownsville, TX now reports about $70,565, up from $62,912 in 2021. The population has grown by 2.2% since 2021, moving from about 58,713 residents to roughly 60,012. College-educated residents now make up 33.9% of adults here, versus 28.8% in 2021.

Community

Discussions about ZIP 78526

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Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 78526

About renting in ZIP 78526

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 78526 covers Brownsville, TX. The median rent here is $1,897/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,030/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,240/mo.

At 32% of local median household income ($70,565/yr), ZIP 78526 ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 78526?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $76,000/year (about $37/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,897/mo in ZIP 78526. The local median household income is $70,565/yr, so the typical household falls short of that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 78526?

Rent in ZIP 78526 has risen 5.4% over the past year.

How does ZIP 78526 compare to other ZIPs in Texas?

ZIP 78526 is one of the pricier among Texas ZIP codes for rent, ranking #121 of 693 at $1,897/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 78526 changed +5.4%, against a typical +1.2% across the 629 Texas ZIP codes Zillow tracks.