Cost of Living in Hidalgo, TX

Population 14,250 · Texas · Data vintage 2023

57
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Hidalgo a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $156,000. A poverty rate near 25% adds context to the income figures — well above the US average, and worth factoring into any comparison with cities on the coasts or in the Rockies.

Hidalgo sits roughly 8 miles south of McAllen — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 10% lower than McAllen's $174,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 51
Rent 65

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Hidalgo

The median home value in Hidalgo is $156,400 — 49% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $849/month, 35% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $53,667/year is 28% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 7.2%, above the national average of 4.8%. Texas charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. The climate averages highs of 87.3°F and lows of 67.4°F. Overall, Hidalgo has a cost of living index of 57 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 43% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$156,400
49% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$189,206
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$849/mo
35% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.4x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
1.7%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$766
1 BR
$811
2 BR
$981
3 BR
$1,307
4 BR
$1,509
Owner-occupied 78.9%
Renter-occupied 21.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$849
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,463/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
21.7 min
20% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
4.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
80.1%
Carpooled
12.6%
Walked
1.6%
Work from home
4.9%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) None
Total Sales Tax 8.2%
State rate 6.3%
Avg local rate 1.9%
Property Tax 1.7%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$53,667
28% below avg
Per Capita Income
$20,485
Unemployment Rate
7.2%
50% above avg
Poverty Rate
24.6%
Labor Force Participation
67.7%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 18.4%
Graduate degree 5.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 31.5
Male median age 29.9
Female median age 33

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
87.3°F
Avg Low
67.4°F
Annual Precip
22.2"
50° 63° 75° 88° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 7377838893979910094898074
Low °F 535763687478797976696054
Precip" 0.770.721.381.432.033.052.031.814.612.101.171.06

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 44 — Good
57.7%
Good air days/yr
95
Max AQI recorded
338
PM2.5 days
19
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Hidalgo, TX?

Hidalgo has a cost index of 57 (100 = national average). It is 43% below the national average.

What is average rent in Hidalgo, TX?

The median gross rent in Hidalgo is $849 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Hidalgo?

The median home value in Hidalgo is $156,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Hidalgo?

The median household income in Hidalgo is $53,667 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Hidalgo, TX?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Hidalgo is 8.2%. Texas has no state income tax.

Is Hidalgo, TX affordable?

Yes, Hidalgo is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 57 — about 43% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Hidalgo?

Hidalgo has average high temperatures of 87.3°F and average lows of 67.4°F. Annual precipitation is 22.2". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Hidalgo at a Glance

Population
14,250
Median Income
$53,667
Home Value
$156,400
Median Rent
$849/mo
Unemployment
7.2%
Avg High Temp
87.3°F
Sales Tax
8.2%
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