Why County-Level Rent Data Matters
Most rent comparisons stop at the city level. But Texas is massive — Harris County alone is larger than the state of Rhode Island. A one-size-fits-all "Houston average rent" hides enormous variation between inner-loop neighborhoods and outer-ring suburbs.
County-level data gives you a clearer picture of what you will actually pay. It captures the full range: urban cores, suburban rings, and exurban edges — all within a single jurisdiction. This matters because property taxes, school districts, commute times, and cost of living all shift at the county line.
We analyzed 4,875 active apartment listingsacross Texas's 15 most-listed counties to build the most complete county rent comparison available.
Full County Comparison Table
Counties are ranked by average rent, highest to lowest. All figures are monthly and based on active listings in our database as of June 2026.
| # | County | Metro Area | Listings | Avg Rent | Min | Max | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Travis | Austin | 366 | $1,849 | $725 | $5,200 | $1,750 |
| 2 | Collin | Plano / McKinney / Frisco | 425 | $1,699 | $750 | $4,500 | $1,620 |
| 3 | Denton | Denton / Frisco | 192 | $1,649 | $800 | $3,800 | $1,575 |
| 4 | Fort Bend | Sugar Land / Katy | 210 | $1,629 | $850 | $3,500 | $1,550 |
| 5 | Williamson | Round Rock / Cedar Park | 326 | $1,589 | $775 | $3,200 | $1,520 |
| 6 | Montgomery | Conroe / The Woodlands | 207 | $1,549 | $750 | $3,400 | $1,475 |
| 7 | Dallas | Dallas | 546 | $1,499 | $650 | $4,800 | $1,400 |
| 8 | Harris | Houston | 672 | $1,449 | $595 | $4,500 | $1,350 |
| 9 | Tarrant | Fort Worth | 603 | $1,399 | $625 | $3,800 | $1,310 |
| 10 | Bexar | San Antonio | 375 | $1,349 | $650 | $3,200 | $1,275 |
| 11 | Galveston | Galveston / League City | 160 | $1,379 | $800 | $2,800 | $1,300 |
| 12 | El Paso | El Paso | 200 | $1,149 | $625 | $2,400 | $1,075 |
| 13 | Jefferson | Beaumont | 146 | $1,099 | $625 | $2,100 | $1,025 |
| 14 | Hidalgo | McAllen | 310 | $1,049 | $595 | $2,200 | $975 |
| 15 | Cameron | Brownsville | 137 | $989 | $595 | $1,800 | $925 |
* Rent figures represent average asking rent across all unit sizes (studio through 3+ bedrooms).
Most Expensive Counties
The top of the table is dominated by the Austin and Dallas–Fort Worth corridors — areas that have experienced explosive population growth over the past decade.
Travis County
Austin
$1,849
avg. rent · 366 listings
Collin County
Plano / McKinney / Frisco
$1,699
avg. rent · 425 listings
Denton County
Denton / Frisco
$1,649
avg. rent · 192 listings
Travis County leads at $1,849/mo, fueled by the tech boom, UT Austin, and a limited housing supply relative to demand. Collin County ($1,699) has become the premium suburban choice for Dallas–Fort Worth professionals, while Denton County ($1,649) benefits from two major universities and a fast-growing northern suburbs pipeline.
Most Affordable Counties
At the other end of the spectrum, South Texas and Southeast Texas offer the lowest rents in the state — often well below the $1,200 mark for a one-bedroom.
Jefferson County
Beaumont
$1,099
avg. rent · 146 listings
Hidalgo County
McAllen
$1,049
avg. rent · 310 listings
Cameron County
Brownsville
$989
avg. rent · 137 listings
Cameron County (Brownsville) comes in lowest at $989/mo. Its location on the Mexico border and a lower median household income keep prices suppressed.Hidalgo County (McAllen) and Jefferson County (Beaumont) round out the most affordable trio, with rents averaging $1,049 and $1,099 respectively.
Property Tax Implications for Renters
Texas has no state income tax, but it makes up for it with some of the highest property tax rates in the nation — typically between 1.6% and 2.2% of assessed value annually. That is a cost landlords do not absorb quietly.
Here is the key insight for renters: higher property taxes correlate directly with higher rents. Counties with elevated tax rates — particularly in suburban rings where school district bonds are common — push those costs into monthly rent. This is one reason why fast-growing suburban counties like Williamson and Collin see rents that rival or exceed the urban cores they surround.
Quick Reference: TX Property Tax Rates (2026)
- Travis County~1.8%
- Harris County~2.1%
- Collin County~1.9%
- Williamson County~2.2%
- Denton County~2.0%
- Bexar County~1.8%
- El Paso County~2.1%
When comparing rent across counties, ask yourself: what is the effective tax rate, and how does that affect the landlord's cost structure? A county with slightly higher rent but a lower effective tax burden might actually be cheaper in total cost of living.
Frequently Asked Questions
▸What is the most expensive county to rent in Texas?
Travis County (Austin) has the highest average rent at roughly $1,849 per month, driven by the tech sector and strong in-migration.
▸What is the cheapest county to rent in Texas?
Cameron County (Brownsville) is the most affordable with an average around $989 per month. Hidalgo County (McAllen) is close behind at about $1,049.
▸Do Texas property taxes affect rent?
Yes. Texas has some of the highest property tax rates in the country (averaging 1.6–2.2%). Landlords pass these costs on through higher rents, which is one reason counties with higher tax rates tend to have higher average rents.
▸Which Texas county has the most apartment listings?
Harris County (Houston) leads with 672 listings, followed by Tarrant County (Fort Worth) with 603 and Dallas County with 546.
▸Is rent cheaper outside of Texas metro areas?
Generally yes. Counties like Hidalgo, Cameron, and Jefferson — while still part of metro areas — offer significantly lower rents than the Dallas–Fort Worth, Austin, or Houston cores. Suburban counties like Williamson and Montgomery also undercut their neighboring urban centers.
Find Your Next Apartment in Texas
Browse thousands of verified listings across all 15 counties. Filter by rent, bedroom count, amenities, and commute time — all powered by live data.