Rent comparison · HUD FY2026

Brownsville-Harlingen, TX MSA vs Abilene, TX MSA

How do Brownsville-Harlingen, TX MSA and Abilene, TX MSA rents compare? A side-by-side FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent breakdown, studio through 4-bedroom.

$866
Brownsville-Harlingen, TX MSA (1BR)
$1,020
Abilene, TX MSA (1BR)
−15%
1BR difference

Side-by-side FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent comparison. Data from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Metro
Brownsville-Harlingen, TX MSA
$866/mo 1BR
Population: 421,854
Metro
Abilene, TX MSA
$1,020/mo 1BR
Population: 176,656

A 1-bedroom in Brownsville-Harlingen, TX MSA is 15% cheaper than Abilene, TX MSA at the HUD Fair Market Rent level ($866 vs $1,020). Both figures are the 40th percentile of gross rents (utilities included, telephone excluded) set by HUD for the federal fiscal year 2026. Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher payment standards in each area are set between 90% and 110% of these FMR numbers. Source: HUD Fair Market Rents.

How Do Rents Compare By Bedroom?

Bedrooms Brownsville-Harlingen, TX MSA Abilene, TX MSA Difference
Studio $773 $1,010 −$237 (-23%)
1 Bedroom $866 $1,020 −$154 (-15%)
2 Bedroom $1,047 $1,276 −$229 (-18%)
3 Bedroom $1,414 $1,653 −$239 (-14%)
4 Bedroom $1,479 $1,987 −$508 (-26%)

vs US National Average

National average 1BR: $959. Brownsville-Harlingen, TX MSA is 10% below the US average. Abilene, TX MSA is 6% above.

Sources: HUD Fair Market Rents FY 2026. Population and median income from U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).