Midland, TX Relocation Guide (2026)
Cost of living, housing, and income data for Midland, sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Salary needed to live in Midland →
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Last updated July 2026.
Midland's population is about 132,490. On income, the typical household clears $90,448 a year, running above the median household income across the cities we cover (+25%).
Expect a median home value of $280,700 in Midland, which runs below what we see across other cities (-14%). Median rent lands at $1,400/month — a useful baseline before comparing mortgage payments to rent.
Buying a typical home in Midland would take about 3.1 years of median household income, a comparatively affordable multiple by our tracked standards. Midland's home prices climbed 3.82% over the past year — steady appreciation without signs of overheating. Natural-hazard exposure in Midland is rated Relatively Moderate by FEMA — modest risk that generally keeps insurance premiums more manageable.
Personal Affordability Check
Renting at $1,400/mo in Midland would take 18.6% of your income.
$861/mo under the 30% guideline.
Buying the median home ($280,700) would take 19.9% of your income toward principal & interest.
$612/mo under the 28% guideline.
Cost of housing in Midland
Median home value is $280,700 and median gross rent is $1,400/month. For buyers, monthly costs depend heavily on current mortgage rates — worth checking before you commit.
FHFA's county-level home price index for Midland rose 3.82% over the past year (as of 2025).
HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit in the surrounding county is $1,780/month.
Climate & home insurance
FEMA rates Midland's overall natural-hazard risk as Relatively Moderate. Risk level is a major driver of home insurance premiums.
Safety
Midland reported a violent crime rate of 352.4 per 100,000 residents in 2025, per FBI data.
Moving to Midland
Planning a move to Midland? Compare licensed movers and get quotes based on your origin and move date.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the cost of living in Midland, TX?
- Cost of living in Midland centers on housing: median home value runs $280,700, median rent runs $1,400/month, and the typical household earns $90,448 a year. Data via the US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022).
- How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Midland?
- At Midland's median rent of $1,400/month, the 30%-of-income guideline suggests an annual income around $56,000 to stay comfortably housed. See the full salary breakdown (renting and buying) for Midland.
- Is it better to rent or buy in Midland?
- With a median home value of $280,700 and median rent of $1,400/month, renting comfortably in Midland takes about $56,000/year (the 30% guideline), while buying at the median price takes roughly $64,223/year in principal-and-interest alone (assumes 20% down, a 30-year fixed loan, and current mortgage rates). The right call depends on how long you plan to stay and your down payment.
- Is Midland safe?
- FBI data puts Midland's violent crime rate at 352.4 per 100,000 residents for 2025 — a useful benchmark alongside other cities you're weighing.
See the full salary breakdown for Midland →
Cities with a similar cost of living
Matched on median rent and household income within 15% of Midland's.