The South Central — Texas, Oklahoma & Louisiana — covers 10 cities we track across 3 states. Median one-bedroom rent across those cities is $1,120 — 12% lower than the $1,271 median across the 6 regions we track.
The cheapest city we track in the South Central is El Paso, TX, at $816/mo for a one-bedroom; the priciest is Austin, TX, at $1,457/mo. Median household income across the region's tracked cities is $66,514, 9% lower than the $72,701 median across all regions.
Region Medians
Median 1BR Rent
$1,120
Median Home Value
$264,900
Median Income
$66,514
Medians across the 10 cities we track in the South Central — not a population-weighted regional figure.
States in the South Central
Cities in the South Central
South Central cost of living — FAQ
- Is the South Central expensive to live in?
- The South Central is among the more affordable of the 6 US regions we track. Its median one-bedroom rent of $1,120 ranks #5 of 6 and is 12% lower than the $1,271 median.
- What is the cheapest city to live in in the South Central?
- El Paso, TX is the cheapest of the cities we track in the South Central, with a one-bedroom rent of $816 a month.
- What is the most expensive city in the South Central?
- Austin, TX is the priciest of the cities we track in the South Central, with a one-bedroom rent of $1,457 a month.
- Which states are in the South Central?
- We track cities in 3 states in the South Central: Texas, Oklahoma & Louisiana.
Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).