In Elsa, a typical home is worth $81,600. Compared with all of Hidalgo County, the typical home value is 42% lower and typical household income is 22% lower.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $90,182 to $134,663.
From Zillow (ZHVI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Elsa is in Hidalgo County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Hidalgo County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
Elsa has the 10th lowest typical home value of the 422 cities in Texas with more than 5,000 people ($81,600).
2
Elsa has the 17th lowest typical household income of the 424 cities in Texas with more than 5,000 people ($42,439).
3
Nearby, in Mila Doce, the typical home value is $67,700: 17% less than in Elsa ($81,600).
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Elsa
What homes there are in Elsa, 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
Elsa
Hidalgo County
Texas
United States
Kind of home: Elsa and its comparisons
Measure
Elsa
Hidalgo County
Texas
United States
Detached house
73%
65%
64%
61%
Attached house
Unreliable estimate
2%
3%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
Unreliable estimate
10%
5%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
Unreliable estimate
9%
21%
19%
Mobile home
Unreliable estimate
14%
6%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
1%
0%
0%
The detached house rules in Elsa: 73% of homes, more than in Hidalgo County (65%).
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or laterUnreliable estimate
Elsa
Hidalgo County
Texas
United States
Year built: Elsa and its comparisons
Measure
Elsa
Hidalgo County
Texas
United States
Before 1960
Unreliable estimate
4%
12%
26%
1960–1979
22%
13%
21%
24%
1980–1999
30%
33%
28%
25%
2000–2009
24%
27%
18%
14%
2010 or later
Unreliable estimate
22%
21%
11%
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Unreliable estimate
Under $100K56%
$100K–$200K37%
$200K–$300KUnreliable
$300K–$500KUnreliable
$500K–$750KUnreliable
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Elsa and its comparisons
Measure
Elsa
Under $100K
56%
$100K–$200K
37%
$200K–$300K
Unreliable estimate
$300K–$500K
Unreliable
$500K–$750K
Unreliable
$750K–$1M
Unreliable
$1M or more
Unreliable
Monthly rent with utilities
Unreliable estimate
Under $500Unreliable
$500–$999Unreliable
$1,000–$1,499Unreliable
$1,500–$1,999Unreliable
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Elsa and its comparisons
Measure
Elsa
Under $500
Unreliable estimate
$500–$999
Unreliable estimate
$1,000–$1,499
Unreliable estimate
$1,500–$1,999
Unreliable estimate
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable
$3,000 or more
Unreliable
With a mortgage
$1,327 a month
Hidalgo County: $1,486 a month
Without a mortgage
$450 a month
Hidalgo County: $472 a month
The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in Elsa is $1,327 a month, less than in Hidalgo County ($1,486); without one, $450.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
ElsaNo clear change
Hidalgo County+62%
Texas+65%
United States+53%
Typical rent
ElsaUnreliable
Hidalgo County+30%
Texas+34%
United States+33%
Typical household income
ElsaNo clear change
Hidalgo County+36%
Texas+27%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Elsa and its comparisons
Measure
Elsa
Hidalgo County
Texas
United States
Typical home value
No clear change
+62%
+65%
+53%
Typical rent
Unreliable estimate
+30%
+34%
+33%
Typical household income
No clear change
+36%
+27%
+29%
From 2015–2019 to 2020–2024, the typical home value in Elsa did not change clearly: the difference is within the Census margin of error.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Elsa and its comparisons
Measure
Elsa
Hidalgo County
Texas
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
6.7%
7.7%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
1.3%
1.1%
0.9%
More than one person per room
Unreliable estimate
10.9%
4.8%
3.4%
People per household
2.88
3.27
2.69
2.53
Drive alone
83%
75%
71%
69%
Carpool
Unreliable estimate
11%
10%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
0%
1%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
1%
2%
3%
Work from home
Unreliable estimate
9%
14%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
4%
2%
2%
Typical commute
10 to 19 minutes
Unreliable estimate
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
Households in Elsa are smaller: 2.88 people on average; in Hidalgo County, 3.27.
In Elsa, 83% of workers drive alone to work; in Hidalgo County, 75%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Elsa?
A typical home is within reach of the typical income
We start with a typical home in Elsa, worth $81,600, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 17% of the typical household income in Elsa, which is $42,439 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Hidalgo 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 Elsa. 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 $2,856 (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
$723
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$80,122
Total interest
$115,277
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $1,378 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $990 a month
Your payment · 20%
Tight
$990 to $1,273 a month
Hard
more than $1,273 a month
Compared with the typical household income in Elsa ($42,439 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$543
Property tax
$110
Home insurance
$34
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$36
You need at least $2,856 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 $723; principal and interest $543.
The city and its county
Elsa and Hidalgo County
Elsa is in Hidalgo 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).
Elsa
Map of Hidalgo County, Texas, with Elsa marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Elsa
Hidalgo County
Other cities with a page
Elsa's own numbers
Typical home value
$81,600
Typical yearly household income
$42,439
Households that own their home
71%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Hidalgo County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,017
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+56%
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 Hidalgo County.
A typical home in Elsa is worth $81,600: 42% below the county and 71% below Texas. With the typical household income in Elsa ($42,439 a year), a typical home costs 1.9 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.
Elsa1.9 years
Hidalgo2.6 years
Texas3.6 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Hidalgo County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Hidalgo County rose 88% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Hidalgo County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Hidalgo County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +3.6% +3.6% 2016
2017: +3.6% +3.6% 2017
2018: +4.0% +4.0% 2018
2019: +3.5% +3.5% 2019
2020: +4.4% +4.4% 2020
2021: +10.0% +10.0% 2021
2022: +17.9% +17.9% 2022
2023: +11.0% +11.0% 2023
2024: +4.3% +4.3% 2024
2025: +4.1% +4.1% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Hidalgo County, Texas and the United States
Period
County
Texas
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+4.1%
+0.8%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+56%
+44%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+88%
+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
Elsa next to Hidalgo 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
Elsa$81,600
Hidalgo$140,900
Texas$283,800
United States$332,700
Typical yearly household income
Elsa$42,439
Hidalgo$54,338
Texas$78,476
United States$80,734
See the full table
Elsa next to Hidalgo County and Texas
Measure
Elsa
Hidalgo County
Texas
U.S.
Typical home value
$81,600 ▼42% below the county
$140,900
$283,800
$332,700
Typical yearly household income
$42,439 ▼22% below the county
$54,338
$78,476
$80,734
Households that own their home
71% ▲4 points above the county
67%
63%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$1,582 ▼31% below the county
$2,279
$4,232
$3,119
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Hidalgo 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 Elsa
For a typical $81,600 home in Elsa, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies. It leaves out property tax because the Census Bureau doesn't publish Elsa's rate.
FHA, 3.5% down$613a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$2,856
Cash to close
$5,304
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $36
Conventional, 5% down$598a month
Down payment
$4,080
Cash to close
$6,528
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $39
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$476a month
Down payment
$16,320
Cash to close
$18,768
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$552a month
Down payment
$12,240
Cash to close
$14,688
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Elsa
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$613
$2,856
$80,122
7.18%
FHA MIP · $36
$5,304
580
Conventional, 5% down
$598
$4,080
$77,520
7.18%
PMI · $39
$6,528
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$476
$16,320
$65,280
7.18%
None
$18,768
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$552
$12,240
$69,360
8.18%
None
$14,688
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.
The Census Bureau publishes no typical rent for Elsa. Below are the fair market rents for Hidalgo County.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Hidalgo County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,017 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $19.56 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 Hidalgo County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$801
$15.40
$32,040
1 bedroom
$806
$15.50
$32,240
2 bedrooms
$1,017
$19.56
$40,680
3 bedrooms
$1,305
$25.10
$52,200
4 bedrooms
$1,439
$27.67
$57,560
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 Elsa
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Elsa is in ZIP code 78543.
For 2 bedrooms it is $1,010: $7 less than the fair market rent for Hidalgo County ($1,017).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Elsa, fiscal year 2027.
ZIP code
Studio
1 bd
2 bd
3 bd
4 bd
78543
$800
$800
$1,010
$1,310
$1,440
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
78543 $1,010$1,310
1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Elsa 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)
HUD lists 2 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Elsa. These are the largest.
Los VecinosPO Box 997, Elsa 78543119 low-income homes · Run by Elsa Housing Authority · Average payment: $420 a month · Average wait: 5 months · Homes at several sites(956) 262-1231
La Hacienda Apartments925 N Carlson St, Elsa 7854341 low-income homes · For families(956) 262-1231
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.
There is 1 HUD-approved agency with an office in Hidalgo County; 1 says it serves in Spanish.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Elsa or Hidalgo County. The ones below are statewide in Texas: they work in Elsa 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 Elsa or Hidalgo 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 Elsa and all of Hidalgo 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 Elsa?
The typical home value in Elsa is $81,600, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Hidalgo County it is $140,900.
What is the FHA loan limit in Elsa?
Elsa uses the FHA limit for all of Hidalgo County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in Elsa?
The typical homeowner in Elsa pays $1,582 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is Data not available for this place of the home’s value; in Hidalgo County, the rate is 1.62%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Elsa?
There is 1 HUD-approved counseling agency with an office in Hidalgo County. 1 says it serves in Spanish. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
