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Minimum wage in Texas remains $7.25/hour in 2025 — the same rate set federally since 2009. While some states have raised their minimum wages, Texas has not, leaving many low-income workers stuck at this level.
🛒 What Groceries Can You Afford on $7.25 an Hour?
For someone earning the minimum wage in Texas — about $1,000 take-home per month — even a simple trip to the grocery store becomes a careful calculation.
Based on average prices in 2025:
| Item | Average Price (2025, TX) |
|---|---|
| 1 loaf of bread | $3.49 |
| 1 gallon of milk | $4.15 |
| 12 eggs | $3.79 |
| 1 lb of chicken breast | $4.98 |
| 1 lb of rice | $1.49 |
| Fresh produce (weekly) | ~$25 |
| Total Monthly Groceries (basic needs, single adult) | $320–$350 |
If you’re feeding two people, expect to spend $500–$600/month, and even more for a family.
Fast food or meal prep kits? Those are mostly off the table. Eating out regularly is a luxury — even a $12 takeout order feels risky when you’re watching every dollar.
🍽️ The Hidden Costs: Food Deserts and Fuel
Not all grocery stores are affordable or nearby. In many rural Texas areas — and even in some parts of cities like Houston and Dallas — residents live in food deserts where prices are inflated or access is limited. That means driving further or spending more at overpriced convenience stores.
So while national averages say “Texas is cheaper,” the lived reality can be far more complicated — especially for minimum wage earners who don’t have the luxury of choice.
📆 Daily Expenses on Minimum Wage in Texas (2025)
Earning $7.25/hour, a full-time minimum wage worker brings in roughly $1,000 per month after taxes, which breaks down to about $33 per day. But how far does that daily budget really go?
Here’s what a single person in Texas might spend on a typical weekday:
| Category | Estimated Daily Cost |
|---|---|
| Breakfast (at home) | $1.50 (coffee + toast or eggs) |
| Lunch (packed or fast food) | $5.00 (sandwich or $ menu meal) |
| Dinner (home cooked) | $4.50 (pasta, rice, beans, veggies) |
| Utilities + Rent (daily share) | $40 (based on ~$1,200/mo housing/utilities) |
| Transportation (gas or bus) | $2.50 |
| Phone + Internet | $2.00 |
| Hygiene & cleaning | $1.00 |
| Total Daily Cost | ~$56.50 |
💰 How Much Does That Mean Monthly?
Assuming a full-time job (40 hours/week), earnings on minimum wage add up to about $1,160 before taxes. After deductions (Social Security, Medicare, income tax), the take-home pay is roughly $1,000/month.
🏠 Monthly Living Costs Breakdown
Texas is generally more affordable than the U.S. average, but prices vary significantly across cities..
- Rent: $1,005–$1,500 for a one-bedroom apartment, depending on the city (Houston ~ $1,350; Austin & Dallas slightly higher)
- Groceries: $320/month
- Utilities & Internet: $270/month
- Transportation: Around $140/month—gas and public transit included.
That adds up to approximately $1,735–$2,240/month, meaning minimum-wage earners fall short by $700–$1,200 monthly.
🌆 Where You Live Matters
Major metros are more expensive:
- Austin has a cost-of-living index of ~129 (29% above U.S. average), driven by rent and housing prices.
- Houston remains more affordable with a cost index of 94 (6% below average), but rent still averages $1,350+.
- McKinney and Conroe rank among the best renter-friendly cities—offering lower costs and high quality of life.
😣 Real-World Struggles
A recent AP News feature highlights workers like TiAnna Yeldell—a single mom from Texas—working two jobs (80 hours/week) to support her children, yet earning below the living wage.
Breaking $7.25/hour means lip service to survival, but nothing more.
🤔 The Comfortable Income Gap
SmartAsset data show a single adult in Texas needs about $90,771/year to live “comfortably,” while a family of four requires over $200,000/year—far above reality for many households.
🛠️ How Do People Cope?
- Living with roommates or family
- Working multiple jobs
- Cutting health, entertainment, and savings
- Relying on public benefits or community support
✅ Final Word
At $7.25/hour, Texas’s minimum wage is legally compliant but far from sufficient. Even in its most affordable cities, low-wage earners struggle to pay rent, buy food, and manage utilities. Until the state raises the minimum or federal laws change, many Texans will continue to juggle multiple jobs and tight budgets.
