ZIP Code · TX

ZIP 78552

Part of Harlingen, TX

Pop. 42,332·Cameron County·590th most expensive ZIP in Texas

Median rent (all units)

$1,254/mo

Year-over-Year

+4.2%

Month-over-Month

+1.5%

vs US Median

-$678

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 78552 · $1,254

More affordable than 89% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$880

1 BR

$980

2 BR

$1,190

3 BR

$1,610

4 BR+

$1,680

Research median

$1,190/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 78552 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in March 2023.

Past year vs. the rest of Texas

Rent in ZIP 78552 changed +4.2% 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 2 months in a row, and rose in 7 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($69,811) is $1,745 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($1,680).

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 78552. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$15,048/yr

At $1,254/mo median

Location

CityHarlingen

StateTX

CountyCameron County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 4.2% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+4.2% YoY, +1.5% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 78552 (Harlingen, TX) is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, 24% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

42,332

Median income

$69,811

Median age

33.4

Renters

24.7%

Age distribution

31.4%

21.2%

20.8%

14.8%

Under 1831.4%

18–3421.2%

35–5420.8%

55–6411.8%

65+14.8%

Gender

49.4%

50.6%

Male49.4%

Female50.6%

Race & ethnicity

46.2%

80.6%

White46.2%

Black1%

Hispanic80.6%

Asian1.5%

Education (25+)

18.7%

27.3%

30.1%

24%

No HS diploma18.7%

HS diploma27.3%

Some college30.1%

Bachelor's+24%

Housing tenure

75.3%

24.7%

Owner75.3%

Renter24.7%

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

2023 vs 2026

How ZIP 78552 in Harlingen, TX has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,150 → $1,254

up 9.0%

Income

$54,586 → $69,811

up 27.9%

Population

41,382 → 42,332

up 2.3%

Renter share

24.2% → 24.7%

+0.5 pts

Bachelor's+

20.2% → 24%

+3.8 pts

Rent in ZIP 78552 in Harlingen, TX has climbed 9.0% since 2023, going from about $1,150 per month to roughly $1,254 today. Household income in the area moved from $54,586 to $69,811 across the same window, up 27.9% versus 2021. Income growth outran rent by about 18.9 percentage points, easing the affordability math somewhat compared with 2021. Headcount in the area went from 41,382 to 42,332 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.3% change. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 20.2% to 24%. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in ZIP 78552 in Harlingen, TX look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

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About renting in ZIP 78552

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 78552 covers Harlingen, TX. The median rent here is $1,254/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $980/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,190/mo.

At 22% of local median household income ($69,811/yr), ZIP 78552 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 78552?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $50,000/year (about $24/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,254/mo in ZIP 78552. The local median household income is $69,811/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 78552?

Rent in ZIP 78552 has risen 4.2% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in March 2023.

How does ZIP 78552 compare to other ZIPs in Texas?

ZIP 78552 is one of the more affordable among Texas ZIP codes for rent, ranking #590 of 693 at $1,254/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 78552 changed +4.2%, against a typical +1.2% across the 629 Texas ZIP codes Zillow tracks.