A+
1%
Overall NAT. AVG.
2%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
4%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Port Neches Texas National
Cost of living9992100
Goods & Services10296100
Groceries9796100
Health care9694100
Housing9683100
Transportation9392100
Utilities108104100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Port Neches, TX

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Port Neches? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Port Neches stands at 99, making it 1% lower than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.

Everyday expenditures like food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care in Port Neches are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Port Neches can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.

Is Port Neches Affordable?

Is Port Neches an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Port Neches is 5.8% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 1.7% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Port Neches has a median household income of $75,164, which is 35.9% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Port Neches?

Urbanization: Larger, urban areas boasting abundant amenities and robust employment prospects often exhibit a heightened cost of living, driven by the increased demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural locales or regions marked by diminished demand typically offer a more limited range of amenities and experience slower job market expansion. This translates into a more affordable cost of living.

Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Port Neches, the transportation index is 7.4% lower than the national average.

Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday goods and services, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Port Neches, the standard sales tax rate starts at 6.25%, and the income tax rates commence at 0%.

Where is the Data From?

The Port Neches cost of living data you see above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, providing a practical and accurate means of comparing living expenses in urban areas. Updated quarterly, this index gathers data from over 300 independent researchers, covering more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. These selections are made meticulously to represent a wide range of consumer expenditure categories. The weightings applied to cost differences are based on government survey data that tracks spending patterns among professional and executive households. It's important to note that while the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes factors tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Port Neches is 7% higher than the Texas average
  • The cost of living in Port Neches is 1% lower than the national average
  • Port Neches housing is 4% lower than the national average
  • Texas general sales tax is 22% higher than the national average
  • Texas state income tax is 100% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Port Neches

See all the best places to live around Port Neches

Compare Port Neches, TX Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$84,326$7,027$1,967$2,530
      Renters$47,917$3,993$1,118$1,438
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Port Neches, TX, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for Port Neches homeowners, is $84,326. This would allow for a maximum of $1,967 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $47,917 which would result in a maximum of $1,118 to be spent on rental costs.

      Texas Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Texas 6.25% 8.25%

      Texas Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Texas 0% 0%

      Goods & Services

      Item Port Neches National avg. Difference
      Haircut $26.22$24.268.1%
      Beauty Salon $46.89$45.562.9%
      Toothpaste $3.66$3.701.0%
      Shampoo $1.16$1.289.1%
      Movie $11.93$12.131.7%
      Bowling $19.17$18.006.5%

      Groceries

      Item Port Neches National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.37$5.848.1%
      Fried Chicken $1.49$1.575.5%
      Milk $4.66$4.670.3%
      Potatoes $4.17$4.9315.6%
      Pizza $10.99$12.099.1%
      Beer $10.23$10.411.8%

      Health Care

      Item Port Neches National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $119.32$125.685.1%
      Doctor $87.50$135.7835.6%
      Dentist $104.52$113.297.7%
      Ibuprofen $10.41$10.652.3%
      Lipitor $480.00$468.602.4%

      Housing

      Item Port Neches National avg. Difference
      Home Price $173,900.00$184,700.005.8%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,167.70$2,346.697.6%
      Apartment Rent $965.00$949.001.7%

      Transportation

      Item Port Neches National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.06$3.4611.6%
      Tire Balancing $48.89$59.9218.4%

      Utilities

      Item Port Neches National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $214.33$193.9910.5%
      Phone $209.24$192.258.8%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Rose City, TX4418217.9%
      Port Arthur, TX54,7058614.3%
      Vidor, TX10,6588614.3%
      West Orange, TX3,2878713.5%
      Orange, TX18,4589010.4%
      Port Neches, TX12,729991.0%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Windsor Locks, CT12,7321088.3%
      Gaffney, SC12,7338613.9%
      College, AK12,73413635.8%
      East Islip, NY12,72214747.1%
      Geneva, NY12,7209010.4%
      Port Neches, TX12,729991.0%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.