The average San Antonian is a long way from living comfortably, new data suggests.
A single person in Texas needs about $90,000 a year to live comfortably, according to SmartAsset. Credit: Artem Bali

A family of four needs more than $200,000 before taxes to live comfortably in Texas, according to a study released this week by financial technology firm SmartAsset.

The report drops as multiple polls show affordability is the key issue for voters heading into the midterms.

To get its findings, SmartAsset analyzed the living wage in each state — what a full-time worker must earn to cover minimum basic needs — and adjusted it using the 50/30/20 budgeting rule. Under that widely used rule, half a family’s income should go to necessities such as housing and utilities, 30% to discretionary spending and 20% to saving for retirement and emergencies.

In Texas, that sum came out to $203,424 for a family of four, or $90,563 for a single working adult — before taxes.

Although that sum may sound alarming, it’s actually a 0.2% decline from last year.

Affordability has taken center stage with voters ahead of the 2026 midterms, especially in Texas’ closely watched U.S. Senate race between Republican Ken Paxton, the state’s attorney general, and Democrat James Talarico, an Austin-area state rep.

Earlier this month, Paxton unveiled his “Protecting the Texas Promise” economic plan, which primarily consists of tax deductions that experts told the Express-News would benefit the wealthiest individuals.

Meanwhile, Talirco’s economic plan focuses on closing tax loopholes, enacting universal healthcare, and canceling medical debt.

A poll released by the nonpartisan Texas Public Opinion Research late last month found that 44% of likely Texas general election voters cited affordability and the cost of living as their top concerns, followed by healthcare access and Social Security/Medicare, which tied for second at 21%.

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Michael Karlis is a multimedia journalist at the San Antonio Current, whose coverage in print and on social media focuses on local and state politics. He is a graduate of American University in Washington,...