salaryRent is lower than in 84% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 17.9 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $42,560 a year. That is $20 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Texas cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Texas. It is number 85 of 426 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Harlingen?
Share of households by yearly income. 14.4% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Harlingen
| Size | Harlingen | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $881 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $823 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $980 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,194 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,216 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Harlingen overall?
Everyday prices in the Brownsville-Harlingen metro area are 14% below the U.S. average (index 86.0, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Harlingen
Life in Harlingen
What jobs pay in Harlingen
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $131,280 | 9.7% |
| Physician Assistant | $127,370 | 10.0% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,530 | 10.3% |
| Software Developer | $106,990 | 11.9% |
| Lawyer | $103,100 | 12.4% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $90,140 | 14.2% |
| Dental Hygienist | $82,860 | 15.4% |
| Registered Nurse | $81,090 | 15.7% |
| Civil Engineer | $77,720 | 16.4% |
| Operations Manager | $75,350 | 16.9% |
| Accountant | $66,440 | 19.2% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $63,350 | 20.2% |
| Police Officer | $56,820 | 22.5% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $56,250 | 22.7% |
| Truck Driver | $48,550 | 26.3% |
| HVAC Technician | $47,910 | 26.6% |
| Market Research Analyst | $47,320 | 27.0% |
| Plumber | $46,850 | 27.3% |
| Firefighter | $46,220 | 27.6% |
| Electrician | $46,080 | 27.7% |
| Customer Service Representative | $38,350 | 33.3% |
| Carpenter | $35,640 | 35.8% |
| Medical Assistant | $34,960 | 36.5% |
| Warehouse Worker | $32,300 | 39.5% |
| Nursing Assistant | $32,110 | 39.8% |
| Restaurant Cook | $28,670 | 44.5% |
| Retail Salesperson | $27,780 | 46.0% |
| Cashier | $26,250 | 48.6% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $21,010 | 60.8% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Harlingen?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $88 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $140,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $14,060 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Harlingen, TX?
Renting in Harlingen costs a median of about $1,064 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Texas median is $1,451.
How much do I need to make to live in Harlingen?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $42,560 a year, or $20 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Harlingen cheap or expensive?
Harlingen is rated OK: rent takes 22.1% of the typical household income of $57,856. It ranks 85th cheapest of 426 Texas cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Harlingen?
The median homeowner in Harlingen pays $2,059 a year in property taxes, about 1.46% of the median home value.
Is Harlingen more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 14% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Harlingen?
The median home value in Harlingen is $140,600, about 2.4 times the typical yearly household income.
72,087 people live in Harlingen. Numbers are typical (middle) values.