In a bold attempt to tackle the state’s escalating cost of living, Texas lawmakers have introduced proposals to substantially raise the minimum wage. Currently set at $7.25 per hour—unchanged since 2009—advocates argue that this rate no longer meets workers’ basic needs, particularly as housing costs continue to skyrocket.
Rep. Armando Walle (D-HD 140) of North Houston has spearheaded the effort with House Bill 193, which seeks to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour. Walle emphasized that this increase would provide economic relief, improve public health, and strengthen communities across Texas. “It’s an honor to pre-file legislation today that I sincerely believe will foster economic opportunity and support the Texas families that call North Houston home,” said Walle.
This legislative push comes as a stark contrast to the harsh reality faced by minimum-wage workers in many major cities. Research from Clever, a real estate consultancy, reveals that even a proposed $15 wage would still fall short in places like Atlanta, where rent for a one-bedroom apartment exceeds 132% of a minimum wage worker’s monthly income.
The challenges extend beyond Texas. Cities such as Buffalo, New York, St. Louis, Missouri, and Hartford, Connecticut, are among the few where the rent-to-income ratio for minimum-wage workers remains under 50%. Yet, even in Buffalo—the most affordable of these cities—the cost of rent still surpasses the widely accepted “affordable” threshold of 30% of income. Meanwhile, other cities like Atlanta, Nashville, and Charlotte place immense financial strain on their low-income residents, with rents that far outpace earnings.
Rep. Vikki Goodwin (D-HD 47) has introduced a more ambitious proposal, House Bill 691, which calls for a $19 minimum wage. This figure, supporters argue, better aligns with the financial pressures facing Texas residents. According to recent data, rents nationwide have surged by 30.4% from 2019 to 2023, while wages have only increased by 20.2%, further highlighting the widening gap between income and living expenses.
With the cost of living continuing to climb, Texas lawmakers’ efforts to raise the minimum wage reflect a growing recognition that the state’s workers deserve better economic support to keep pace with these increasing pressures.