Note: The 2013 Out of Reach data for Texas has been updated to reflect revised FY13 FMRs released by HUD on April 30. Click here to view the HUD notice.

In Texas, the Fair Market Rent (FMR) for a two-bedroom apartment is $868. In order to afford this level of rent and utilities – without paying more than 30% of income on housing – a household must earn $2,894 monthly or $34,724 annually. Assuming a 40-hour work week, 52 weeks per year, this level of income translates into a Housing Wage of $16.69.

In Texas, a minimum wage worker earns an hourly wage of $7.25. In order to afford the FMR for a two-bedroom apartment, a minimum wage earner must work 92 hours per week, 52 weeks per year. Or a household must include 2.3 minimum wage earners working 40 hours per week year-round in order to make the two-bedroom FMR affordable.

In Texas, the estimated mean (average) wage for a renter is $15.43. In order to afford the FMR for a two-bedroom apartment at this wage, a renter must work 43 hours per week, 52 weeks per year. Or, working 40 hours per week year-round, a household must include 1.1 workers earning the mean renter wage in order to make the two-bedroom FMR affordable.