Rent vs. Income

Are wages keeping up with rising Dallas rents? Not even close.

Rent is high and wages are low right now in Dallas.

Photo courtesy of Dallas CVB

Rents are rising in Dallas, but unfortunately, incomes aren't keeping up. In fact, Dallasites are way more cost-burdened than we were even 15 years ago.

Apartment List analyzed U.S. Census data from 1960-2014 and found that inflation-adjusted rents have risen by 64 percent nationally, but real household incomes only increased by 19 percent.

During the particularly grim first decade of the 21st century, household incomes actually fell by 9 percent, while rents rose by 18 percent. For the total duration of the study, cost-burdened renters nationwide more than doubled, from 24 percent in 1960 to 49 percent in 2014.

"The U.S. renter population is larger than it has ever been (43 million households, or 37 percent of the total population), and nearly half of them are struggling to pay rent," writes Apartment List's director of data science and growth, Andrew Woo.

Here in Dallas, incomes were rising steadily until about 2003, when they took a sudden dip and have struggled to recover ever since. Since 1980, rents have increased about 25 percent, from $761 to $948. The median income for renters right now is $38,406, just slightly above the $37,237 it was in 1980.

The numbers are depressing in Houston, too, where rent is up nearly 20 percent ($807 to $940) but income is actually down about 10 percent. A renter would have made about $42,225 in 1980, but now they make only $38,447. That scenario is on par with the rest of the South and Midwest, with one major exception: Austin.

Both rent and income there have risen significantly, and both are about 40 percent above where they were in 1980. While rent may be a pricey $1,092 now compared to only $761 then, renters are bringing home $43,634 versus $30,227.

Apartment List points out that while Austin's population has more than doubled since 1980, the city's strong employment growth and attractiveness to millennials have given it the most impressive boost in the country.

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Celebrity digs

Post Malone’s Dallas-area childhood home hits the market for $549K

Photo courtesy of The Meyer Group

Post Malone's childhood home, at 1226 Eaton Ln., Grapevine, is listed for $549,900.

The grapevine is buzzing with news that entertainer Post Malone’s childhood home in Grapevine is up for sale. The modest three-bedroom, two-bathroom home, at 1226 Eaton Ln., is listed for $549,900.

“This home blends modern comfort, prime location, and a one-of-a-kind story — an exceptional opportunity in one of North Texas’ most desirable communities,” says the listing from Liz Ervin and David Ervin, both of Meyer Group Real Estate.

Photo courtesy of The Meyer Group

Post Malone's childhood home, at 1226 Eaton Ln., Grapevine, is listed for $549,900.

Want to tour Malone’s former digs? The Ervins are hosting an open house from 12 noon-2 pm Saturday, February 7.

Built in 1987 — eight years before Malone was born — the “thoughtfully renovated” 1,685-square-foot, brick-façade home with a bright red front door offers an open-concept floor plan that features “excellent flow, abundant natural light, and a great use of space throughout,” the listing says.

Recent upgrades include:

An updated primary bathroom.
New triple-pane, energy-efficient windows.
A new air-conditioning unit.
A new water heater.

The listing also touts the home’s outdoor amenities and proximity to downtown Grapevine.

Post Malone's childhood home, at 1226 Eaton Ln., Grapevine The home is near all the Grapevine hot spots.Photo courtesy of The Meyer Group

“Step outside to a private backyard oasis featuring a sparkling pool and upgraded decking — perfect for entertaining or relaxing Texas-style,” the listing says. “Ideally located less than a one-mile walk to Grapevine’s sought-after Main Street, offering endless dining, shopping, and access to the nearby recreation center.”

Malone, whose given name is Austin Richard Post, is a rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer who’s easily recognizable thanks to his more than 70 tattoos, including 14 on his face.

The entertainer moved to Grapevine at age nine with his father, Rich Post, and stepmother, Jodie, after the Dallas Cowboys hired his dad as assistant director of food and beverage, according to Malone’s bio on IMDb. Malone was born in 1995 in Syracuse, New York.

In Grapevine, Malone learned to play guitar at age 12. He frequently plays gigs around Dallas-Fort Worth; he was the big act at the 2025 Dallas Cattle Baron's Ball at Southfork Ranch, and then he played the Cowboys' halftime show at AT&T Stadium on Thanksgiving.

When Malone was a senior, classmates at Grapevine High School named him “Most Likely to Be Famous,” according to IMDb and CBS News. For a 2012 class project at Grapevine High, he created a viral music video for one of his first songs, “Why Don’t You Love Me?” In the video, he rocked an ’80s vibe, complete with an animal-print head scarf and cut-off denim shorts.

Post Malone grew up in Grapevine and plays in Dallas-Fort Worth frequently. Photo by Adam DeGross

After graduating from high school in 2013, Malone enrolled at Tarrant County College but dropped out and moved to Los Angeles, where he formally launched his music career. Just two years after graduation, Malone signed a recording deal with Republic Records.

By all accounts, Malone appreciated growing up in Grapevine. In fact, his 2024 country song “Back to Texas” pays homage to the Lone Star State:

Ain’t found nowhere like Dallas yeah

And I doubt I ever will it’s

All hat, no cattle

All belt, no buckle

All snake, no rattle

All honey, no suckle

And I’ma take every last dime

Stuffed under this mattress

And make a Lone Star beeline

Take my a** back to Texas

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