In Buda, a typical home is worth $446,600 and typical rent is $1,852 a month. Compared with all of Hays County, typical household income is 39% higher, typical rent is 24% higher, and the share of households that own their home is 12 points higher.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $403,202 to $350,091.
Typical rent
$1,554a month
▼ 2.6% less than 12 months ago
Typical rent from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $1,673 to $1,554.
From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Buda is in Hays County. The FHA loan limit ($571,550 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Hays County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
The typical household income in Buda is $123,766,39% more than in Hays County as a whole ($89,097).
2
Nearby, in San Marcos, the typical home value is $310,400: 30% less than in Buda ($446,600).
3
Nearby, in San Marcos, the typical rent is $1,322: 29% less than in Buda ($1,852).
4
The typical rent in Buda is $1,852 a month, 24% more than in Hays County as a whole ($1,495).
5
77% of households in Buda own their home, against 64% in Hays County.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Buda
What homes there are in Buda, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).
What homes there are
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Kind of home
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Buda
Hays County
Texas
United States
Kind of home: Buda and its comparisons
Measure
Buda
Hays County
Texas
United States
Detached house
86%
66%
64%
61%
Attached house
Unreliable estimate
3%
3%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
Unreliable estimate
4%
5%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
Unreliable estimate
21%
21%
19%
Mobile home
Unreliable estimate
6%
6%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
In Buda, 9 in 10 homes are single-family detached houses; in Hays County, 7.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or laterUnreliable estimate
Buda
Hays County
Texas
United States
Year built: Buda and its comparisons
Measure
Buda
Hays County
Texas
United States
Before 1960
Unreliable estimate
4%
12%
26%
1960–1979
Unreliable estimate
8%
21%
24%
1980–1999
10%
22%
28%
25%
2000–2009
29%
24%
18%
14%
2010 or later
58%
43%
21%
11%
Homes in Buda are newer: the typical year built is 2012; in Hays County, 2007.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Unreliable estimate
Under $100KUnreliable
$100K–$200KUnreliable
$200K–$300KUnreliable
$300K–$500K52%
$500K–$750K31%
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Buda and its comparisons
Measure
Buda
Under $100K
Unreliable estimate
$100K–$200K
Unreliable estimate
$200K–$300K
Unreliable estimate
$300K–$500K
52%
$500K–$750K
31%
$750K–$1M
Unreliable estimate
$1M or more
Unreliable estimate
Monthly rent with utilities
Unreliable estimate
Under $500Unreliable
$500–$999Unreliable
$1,000–$1,499Unreliable
$1,500–$1,99944%
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Buda and its comparisons
Measure
Buda
Under $500
Unreliable
$500–$999
Unreliable
$1,000–$1,499
Unreliable estimate
$1,500–$1,999
44%
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable estimate
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable estimate
$3,000 or more
Unreliable estimate
With a mortgage
$2,240 a month
Hays County: $2,289 a month
Without a mortgage
$1,056 a month
Hays County: $855 a month
Owners with a mortgage
77%
Hays County: 68%
Owning costs about the same in Buda as in Hays County: with a mortgage, $2,240 a month; without one, $1,056.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Buda+73%
Hays County+68%
Texas+65%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Buda+33%
Hays County+30%
Texas+34%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Buda+38%
Hays County+30%
Texas+27%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Buda and its comparisons
Measure
Buda
Hays County
Texas
United States
Typical home value
+73%
+68%
+65%
+53%
Typical rent
+33%
+30%
+34%
+33%
Typical household income
+38%
+30%
+27%
+29%
The typical home value in Buda rose 73% since 2015–2019, more than in Hays County (68%).
Rents in Buda rose faster than in Hays County: 33% since 2015–2019, against 30%.
The typical household income in Buda rose 38% over that time; home values changed +73% and rent +33%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Buda and its comparisons
Measure
Buda
Hays County
Texas
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
3.5%
7.7%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
1.1%
0.9%
More than one person per room
Unreliable estimate
3.6%
4.8%
3.4%
People per household
2.61
2.61
2.69
2.53
Drive alone
74%
70%
71%
69%
Carpool
Unreliable estimate
9%
10%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
1%
1%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
2%
2%
3%
Work from home
21%
18%
14%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
1%
2%
2%
Typical commute
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
By size, households in Buda look like those in Hays County: 2.61 people on average.
Working from home is more common in Buda: 21%, against 18% in Hays County.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Buda?
A typical home costs more than the typical income allows
We start with a typical home in Buda, worth $446,600, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 39% of the typical household income in Buda, which is $123,766 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $171,985 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Hays County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Buda. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $15,631 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$4,013
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$438,511
Total interest
$630,914
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $7,542 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $2,888 a month
Tight
$2,888 to $3,713 a month
Hard
more than $3,713 a month
Your payment · 39%
Compared with the typical household income in Buda ($123,766 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$2,971
Property tax
$659
Home insurance
$186
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$198
You need at least $15,631 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $4,013; principal and interest $2,971.
The city and its county
Buda and Hays County
Buda is in Hays County, Texas. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
Buda
Map of Hays County, Texas, with Buda marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Buda
Hays County
Other cities with a page
Buda's own numbers
Typical home value
$446,600
Typical monthly rent
$1,852
Typical yearly household income
$123,766
Households that own their home
77%
Effective property tax rate
1.77%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Hays County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$571,550
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,817
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+44%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
2.9%
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Hays County.
A typical home in Buda is worth $446,600: 12% above the county and 57% above Texas. With the typical household income in Buda ($123,766 a year), a typical home costs 3.6 times what the household earns in a year.
Years of income to pay for a typical home
The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.
Buda3.6 years
Hays4.5 years
Texas3.6 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Hays County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Hays County rose 95% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Hays County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Hays County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +8.0% +8.0% 2016
2017: +7.8% +7.8% 2017
2018: +4.5% +4.5% 2018
2019: +5.8% +5.8% 2019
2020: +5.2% +5.2% 2020
2021: +20.4% +20.4% 2021
2022: +26.4% +26.4% 2022
2023: −1.7% −1.7% 2023
2024: −3.4% −3.4% 2024
2025: −0.1% −0.1% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Hays County, Texas and the United States
Period
County
Texas
U.S.
Last year (2025)
−0.1%
+0.8%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+44%
+44%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+95%
+88%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
Buda next to Hays County, Texas and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
Buda$446,600
Hays$399,800
Texas$283,800
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Buda$1,852
Hays$1,495
Texas$1,403
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Buda$123,766
Hays$89,097
Texas$78,476
United States$80,734
See the full table
Buda next to Hays County and Texas
Measure
Buda
Hays County
Texas
U.S.
Typical home value
$446,600 ▲12% above the county
$399,800
$283,800
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,852 ▲24% above the county
$1,495
$1,403
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$123,766 ▲39% above the county
$89,097
$78,476
$80,734
Households that own their home
77% ▲12 points above the county
64%
63%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$7,911 ▲19% above the county
$6,649
$4,232
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
1.77% ▲0.11 points above the county
1.66%
1.49%
0.94%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Hays County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Buda
For a typical $446,600 home in Buda, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Buda's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$4,013a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$15,631
Cash to close
$29,029
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $198
Conventional, 5% down$3,931a month
Down payment
$22,330
Cash to close
$35,728
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $212
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$3,265a month
Down payment
$89,320
Cash to close
$102,718
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$3,678a month
Down payment
$66,990
Cash to close
$80,388
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Buda
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$4,013
$15,631
$438,511
7.18%
FHA MIP · $198
$29,029
580
Conventional, 5% down
$3,931
$22,330
$424,270
7.18%
PMI · $212
$35,728
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$3,265
$89,320
$357,280
7.18%
None
$102,718
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$3,678
$66,990
$379,610
8.18%
None
$80,388
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Typical rent in Buda is $1,852 a month: 24% above the county.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Hays County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,817 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $34.94 an hour working full time.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in Hays County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$1,447
$27.83
$57,880
1 bedroom
$1,530
$29.42
$61,200
2 bedrooms
$1,817
$34.94
$72,680
3 bedrooms
$2,292
$44.08
$91,680
4 bedrooms
$2,689
$51.71
$107,560
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in Buda
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Buda is in ZIP code 78610.
For 2 bedrooms it is $1,890: $73 more than the fair market rent for Hays County ($1,817).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Buda, fiscal year 2027.
ZIP code
Studio
1 bd
2 bd
3 bd
4 bd
78610
$1,510
$1,590
$1,890
$2,380
$2,800
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
78610 $1,890$2,380
1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Buda when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)Fiscal year 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
We found no HUD-approved agencies with an office in Hays County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Buda or Hays County. The ones below are statewide in Texas: they work in Buda the same as in the rest of the state.
Texas state program for first-time buyers: a 30-year mortgage with down payment assistance.Offered by Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA).
Texas state program with down payment assistance for any buyer, not only first-time buyers.Offered by Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA).
Texas state certificate that turns part of your mortgage interest into a credit on your federal tax return.Offered by Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA).
No legal help resource on our list is for Buda or Hays County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Buda and all of Hays County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in Buda?
The typical home value in Buda is $446,600, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Hays County it is $399,800.
How much does it cost to rent in Buda?
Typical rent in Buda is $1,852 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Hays County is $1,817.
What is the FHA loan limit in Buda?
Buda uses the FHA limit for all of Hays County (2026): $571,550 for a one-unit home and $1,099,150 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in Buda?
The typical homeowner in Buda pays $7,911 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.77% of the home’s value; in Hays County, the rate is 1.66%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Buda?
We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Hays County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
