In Harlingen, a typical home is worth $140,600 and typical rent is $928 a month. Compared with all of Cameron County, the share of households that own their home is 9 points lower.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $170,518 to $197,004.
Typical rent
$1,157a month
▲ 2.3% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $911 to $1,157.
From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Harlingen is in Cameron 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 Cameron County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
Nearby, in San Benito, the typical home value is $85,300: 39% less than in Harlingen ($140,600).
2
56% of households in Harlingen own their home, against 65% in Cameron County.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Harlingen
What homes there are in Harlingen, 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
Harlingen
Cameron County
Texas
United States
Kind of home: Harlingen and its comparisons
Measure
Harlingen
Cameron County
Texas
United States
Detached house
60%
65%
64%
61%
Attached house
3%
3%
3%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
11%
8%
5%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
17%
14%
21%
19%
Mobile home
9%
11%
6%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
0%
The detached house is still the most common home in Harlingen, but it weighs less than in Cameron County: 60% against 65%.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or later
Harlingen
Cameron County
Texas
United States
Year built: Harlingen and its comparisons
Measure
Harlingen
Cameron County
Texas
United States
Before 1960
16%
10%
12%
26%
1960–1979
21%
20%
21%
24%
1980–1999
36%
32%
28%
25%
2000–2009
18%
21%
18%
14%
2010 or later
10%
16%
21%
11%
In Harlingen, half of the homes were built before 1988; in Cameron County, before 1992.
There are fewer big homes in Harlingen than in Cameron County: 53% have 3 bedrooms or more, against 61%.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Under the limitOver the limitUnreliable estimate
Under $100K34%
$100K–$200K35%
$200K–$300K20%
$300K–$500K10%
$500K–$750KUnreliable
FHA limit: $541,287
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Harlingen and its comparisons
Measure
Harlingen
Under $100K
34%
$100K–$200K
35%
$200K–$300K
20%
$300K–$500K
10%
$500K–$750K
Unreliable estimate
$750K–$1M
Unreliable estimate
$1M or more
Unreliable estimate
The FHA limit for Cameron County is high ($541,287): at least 98% of owner-occupied homes in Harlingen are worth less than $500,000.
Monthly rent with utilities
Under the limitOver the limitUnreliable estimate
Under $50011%
$500–$99947%
$1,000–$1,49930%
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms: $1,042
$1,500–$1,9997%
$2,000–$2,4993%
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Harlingen and its comparisons
Measure
Harlingen
Under $500
11%
$500–$999
47%
$1,000–$1,499
30%
$1,500–$1,999
7%
$2,000–$2,499
3%
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable estimate
$3,000 or more
Unreliable estimate
Measured against HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,042), about 60% of rented homes in Harlingen cost less.
With a mortgage
$1,378 a month
Cameron County: $1,449 a month
Without a mortgage
$483 a month
Cameron County: $481 a month
Owners with a mortgage
42%
Cameron County: 39%
In Harlingen, 42% of owners have a mortgage; their typical cost is $1,378 a month, about the same as in Cameron County.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Harlingen+61%
Cameron County+59%
Texas+65%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Harlingen+26%
Cameron County+24%
Texas+34%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Harlingen+35%
Cameron County+36%
Texas+27%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Harlingen and its comparisons
Measure
Harlingen
Cameron County
Texas
United States
Typical home value
+61%
+59%
+65%
+53%
Typical rent
+26%
+24%
+34%
+33%
Typical household income
+35%
+36%
+27%
+29%
From 2015–2019 to 2020–2024, home values in Harlingen rose at about the same pace as in Cameron County: 61% against 59%.
Much as in Cameron County, the typical rent in Harlingen rose 26% since 2015–2019.
To compare: typical income in Harlingen rose 35%; the home, +61%; the rent, +26%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Harlingen and its comparisons
Measure
Harlingen
Cameron County
Texas
United States
Rental vacancy
4.4%
5.5%
7.7%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
2.2%
1.4%
1.1%
0.9%
More than one person per room
9.1%
9.9%
4.8%
3.4%
People per household
2.73
3.05
2.69
2.53
Drive alone
76%
76%
71%
69%
Carpool
10%
12%
10%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
0%
1%
3%
Walk or bike
2%
2%
2%
3%
Work from home
10%
9%
14%
15%
Other means
2%
1%
2%
2%
Typical commute
10 to 19 minutes
Unreliable estimate
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
There is little rental housing open in Harlingen: only 4.4% is empty and offered for rent, against 5.5% in Cameron County.
In Harlingen, 9.1% of households live with more than one person per room, about the same as in Cameron County.
Households in Harlingen are smaller: 2.73 people on average; in Cameron County, 3.05.
To get to work, 76% of workers in Harlingen drive alone; in Cameron County, 76%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Harlingen?
A typical home is within reach of the typical income
We start with a typical home in Harlingen, worth $140,600, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 27% of the typical household income in Harlingen, which is $53,645 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Cameron 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 Harlingen. 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 $4,921 (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
$1,227
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$138,053
Total interest
$198,626
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $2,374 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $1,252 a month
Your payment · 27%
Tight
$1,252 to $1,609 a month
Hard
more than $1,609 a month
Compared with the typical household income in Harlingen ($53,645 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$935
Property tax
$171
Home insurance
$59
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$62
You need at least $4,921 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 $1,227; principal and interest $935.
The city and its county
Harlingen and Cameron County
Harlingen is in Cameron 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).
Harlingen
Map of Cameron County, Texas, with Harlingen marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Harlingen
Cameron County
Other cities with a page
Harlingen's own numbers
Typical home value
$140,600
Typical monthly rent
$928
Typical yearly household income
$53,645
Households that own their home
56%
Effective property tax rate
1.46%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Cameron County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,042
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+55%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
9.5%
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 Cameron County.
A typical home in Harlingen is worth $140,600: 3% above the county and 50% below Texas. With the typical household income in Harlingen ($53,645 a year), a typical home costs 2.6 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.
Harlingen2.6 years
Cameron2.6 years
Texas3.6 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Cameron County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Cameron County rose 81% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Cameron County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Cameron County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +0.6% +0.6% 2016
2017: +3.6% +3.6% 2017
2018: +2.2% +2.2% 2018
2019: +4.8% +4.8% 2019
2020: +4.7% +4.7% 2020
2021: +12.0% +12.0% 2021
2022: +18.5% +18.5% 2022
2023: +11.8% +11.8% 2023
2024: +4.4% +4.4% 2024
2025: +0.1% +0.1% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Cameron County, Texas and the United States
Period
County
Texas
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+0.1%
+0.8%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+55%
+44%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+81%
+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
Harlingen next to Cameron 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
Harlingen$140,600
Cameron$136,500
Texas$283,800
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Harlingen$928
Cameron$912
Texas$1,403
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Harlingen$53,645
Cameron$52,601
Texas$78,476
United States$80,734
See the full table
Harlingen next to Cameron County and Texas
Measure
Harlingen
Cameron County
Texas
U.S.
Typical home value
$140,600 ▲3% above the county
$136,500
$283,800
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$928
$912
$1,403
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$53,645
$52,601
$78,476
$80,734
Households that own their home
56% ▼9 points below the county
65%
63%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$2,059
$2,042
$4,232
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
1.46% ▼0.04 points below the county
1.5%
1.49%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
47% ▼3 points below the county
50%
52%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Cameron 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 Harlingen
For a typical $140,600 home in Harlingen, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Harlingen's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$1,227a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$4,921
Cash to close
$9,139
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $62
Conventional, 5% down$1,201a month
Down payment
$7,030
Cash to close
$11,248
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $67
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$992a month
Down payment
$28,120
Cash to close
$32,338
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$1,122a month
Down payment
$21,090
Cash to close
$25,308
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Harlingen
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$1,227
$4,921
$138,053
7.18%
FHA MIP · $62
$9,139
580
Conventional, 5% down
$1,201
$7,030
$133,570
7.18%
PMI · $67
$11,248
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$992
$28,120
$112,480
7.18%
None
$32,338
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$1,122
$21,090
$119,510
8.18%
None
$25,308
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 Harlingen is $928 a month: about the same as the county. In Harlingen, 47% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Cameron County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,042 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $20.04 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 Cameron County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$827
$15.90
$33,080
1 bedroom
$884
$17.00
$35,360
2 bedrooms
$1,042
$20.04
$41,680
3 bedrooms
$1,393
$26.79
$55,720
4 bedrooms
$1,496
$28.77
$59,840
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 Harlingen
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Harlingen has 2 ZIP codes with their own.
For 2 bedrooms it runs from $1,060 in 78550 to $1,220 in 78552.
2 of the 2 are above the fair market rent for Cameron County ($1,042).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Harlingen, fiscal year 2027.
78550
$840
$900
$1,060
$1,420
$1,520
78552
$970
$1,040
$1,220
$1,630
$1,750
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
78550 $1,060$1,420
78552 $1,220$1,630
2 of these ZIP codes cross the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Harlingen 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 16 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Harlingen. These are the largest.
Rosemont of Highland Gardens1902 E Tyler Ave, Harlingen 78550174 low-income homes · In service since 2003
Sunland Country Apartments502 South Ed Carey Drive, Harlingen 78552166 low-income homes · For older adults, people with disabilities, families, people experiencing homelessness
Los Vecinos Homes702 S M St, Harlingen 78550150 low-income homes · Run by Harlingen Housing Authority · Average payment: $402 a month · Average wait: 7 months(956) 423-2521
Bonita Park505 Arroyo Vista Ct, Harlingen 78550148 homes, 146 low-income · Run by Harlingen Housing Authority · Average payment: $447 a month · Average wait: 16 months(956) 423-2521
Sundance Apts1402 Vermont, Harlingen 78550176 homes, 132 low-income · In service since 2000
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 Cameron County; 1 says it serves in Spanish.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Harlingen or Cameron County. The ones below are statewide in Texas: they work in Harlingen 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 Harlingen or Cameron 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 Harlingen and all of Cameron 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 Harlingen?
The typical home value in Harlingen is $140,600, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Cameron County it is $136,500.
How much does it cost to rent in Harlingen?
Typical rent in Harlingen is $928 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Cameron County is $1,042.
What is the FHA loan limit in Harlingen?
Harlingen uses the FHA limit for all of Cameron 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 Harlingen?
The typical homeowner in Harlingen pays $2,059 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.46% of the home’s value; in Cameron County, the rate is 1.5%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Harlingen?
There is 1 HUD-approved counseling agency with an office in Cameron County. 1 says it serves in Spanish. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
