A+
24%
Overall NAT. AVG.
15%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
60%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; 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 Donna Texas National
Cost of living7692100
Goods & Services8596100
Groceries9295100
Health care7697100
Housing4083100
Transportation8692100
Utilities119102100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Donna, TX

The cost of living in Donna affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Donna is 76, which is 24% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

The cost of living in Donna ranks as one of the most budget-friendly places to reside in the nation, as everyday expenses are far below average. Only a limited number of cities can boast a cost of living index that is at least 20% below the national average, and Donna proudly falls into this exclusive group. This underscores the remarkable affordability of this region when compared to other cities.

Housing expenses often consume a significant portion of your net income, occasionally surpassing 30%. Fortunately, housing costs in Donna are 59.8% below the national average. This highlights the region's exceptional affordability for both homeownership and rentals in comparison to the rest of the country. This favorable housing situation allows residents to allocate a more reasonable fraction of their income to housing, resulting in enhanced financial flexibility and improved overall financial well-being.

Everyday basics like clothes, personal care items and entertainment factor into your overall living costs. But here's the good news: in Donna, these things are 14.9% more affordable than the national average. So, you can get what you need and have fun without emptying your wallet. With these savings, you can stash more money in your savings or put it towards other financial goals, ultimately improving your financial health.

Groceries are getting more and more expensive, and it's hard to find cities with budget-friendly food options. But here in Donna, the grocery index is 8.1% less than the national average, which means you can purchase your groceries without breaking the bank.

Is Donna Affordable?

Wondering if Donna is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Donna, for example, the median home price is 67.8% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 41% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Donna boasting a median household income of $40,659, which is 50% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Donna?

Urbanization: Urban areas with a wealth of amenities and employment opportunities tend to come with a higher price tag for living. Why? Well, more people want to be there, which drives up home prices and rents. On the flip side, less densely populated rural areas or places where there's not as much demand usually mean fewer attractions, things to do and slower job growth. That often results in a lower cost of living.

Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In Donna, the transportation index is 13.7% lower than the national average.

Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Donna, the general sales tax rate starts at 6.25%, and income tax rates begin at 0%.

Where is the Data From?

The Donna 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.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Donna is 18% lower than the Texas average
  • The cost of living in Donna is 24% lower than the national average
  • Donna housing is 60% 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 Donna

See all the best places to live around Donna

Compare Donna, TX Cost of Living

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      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$57,284$4,774$1,337$1,719
      Renters$23,225$1,935$542$697
      The affordability of the housing market in Donna, TX as well as the overall cost of living can be predicted by what percent of the monthly income is spent on housing related costs. This is konwn as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The overall rule of thumb is that no more than 28% of your gross income should be spent on the overall costs related to housing and no more than 36% of gross income on all expenses and debts. Among Donna homeowners, the median income is $57,284. This indicates that a monthly maximum of $1,337 should be spent by homeowners on all housing related costs. Renters have a median income of $23,225. This indicates that renters would have a maximum of $542 for their rent related monthly 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 Donna National avg. Difference
      Haircut $20.83$27.6224.6%
      Beauty Salon $40.83$51.1120.1%
      Toothpaste $4.23$4.093.4%
      Shampoo $1.34$1.5413.1%
      Movie $12.00$12.886.8%
      Yoga $21.00$19.666.8%

      Groceries

      Item Donna National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $7.26$7.705.8%
      Fried Chicken $1.37$1.6617.6%
      Milk $4.45$4.736.0%
      Potatoes $5.43$5.263.3%
      Pizza $12.49$12.762.1%
      Beer $10.29$10.552.5%

      Health Care

      Item Donna National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $123.67$140.0611.7%
      Doctor $99.44$153.8235.4%
      Dentist $84.11$123.1531.7%
      Ibuprofen $11.18$11.734.7%
      Lipitor $20.88$23.6111.6%

      Housing

      Item Donna National avg. Difference
      Home Price $105,126.00$326,622.0067.8%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,431.92$2,480.2542.3%
      Apartment Rent $852.00$1,444.0041.0%

      Transportation

      Item Donna National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $2.53$3.0617.4%
      Tire Balancing $62.22$65.214.6%

      Utilities

      Item Donna National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $280.38$220.1227.4%
      Phone $205.01$195.714.8%
      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.
      Evergreen, TX40919.2%
      Ratamosa, TX1028712.9%
      Relampago, TX3958712.9%
      Solis, TX6578712.9%
      La Feria North, TX2418712.9%
      Donna, TX16,7207624.3%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Stanford, CA16,723339238.9%
      Fairview Park, OH16,727963.8%
      Sierra Vista Southeast, AZ16,7031022.4%
      Aldine, TX16,7378812.0%
      Cullman, AL16,6948812.5%
      Donna, TX16,7207624.3%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.