salaryRent is higher than in 90% of U.S. cities. Household incomes are higher than in 89% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.0 years of household income. Commutes are long, about 33.6 minutes each way. Most homes (88.7%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $108,480 a year. That is $52 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Texas cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Texas. It is number 403 of 426 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Melissa?
Share of households by yearly income. 57.2% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Melissa
| Size | Melissa | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $1,061 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,427 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,743 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,837 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Melissa overall?
Everyday prices in Texas overall are 3% below the U.S. average (index 97.1, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Melissa, so the Texas figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Melissa
Life in Melissa
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Melissa?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $438 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $454,000 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $45,400 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Melissa, TX?
Renting in Melissa costs a median of about $2,712 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Texas median is $1,451.
How much do I need to make to live in Melissa?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $108,480 a year, or $52 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Melissa cheap or expensive?
Melissa is rated OK: rent takes 21.7% of the typical household income of $149,656. It ranks 403rd cheapest of 426 Texas cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Melissa?
The median homeowner in Melissa pays $6,860 a year in property taxes, about 1.51% of the median home value.
Is Melissa more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Texas are 3% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Melissa?
The median home value in Melissa is $454,000, about 3.0 times the typical yearly household income.
20,136 people live in Melissa. Numbers are typical (middle) values.