| Index | Port Arthur | Texas | National |
| Cost of living | 85 | 94 | 100 |
| Groceries | 98 | 98 | 100 |
| Health care | 96 | 98 | 100 |
| Housing | 53 | 83 | 100 |
| Transportation | 96 | 98 | 100 |
| Utilities | 105 | 103 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 97 | 98 | 100 |
| Household Items | 97 | 98 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 101 | 98 | 100 |
Knowing the cost of living in Port Arthur allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Port Arthur stands at 85, marking it 15% lower than the national average.
Housing expenses often consume a significant portion of your net income, occasionally surpassing 30%. Fortunately, housing costs in Port Arthur are 47.3% 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.
The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 7 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Port Arthur. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 71% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 29% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.
Is Port Arthur affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Port Arthur, the median home price is 61.7% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 13.6% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Port Arthur boasting a median household income of $55,362, 31.9% lower than the national average.
Urbanization: Larger, urban hubs brimming with ample amenities and robust employment opportunities often showcase a heightened cost of living. This surge is primarily attributed to the amplified demand for services and increased residential migration, culminating in elevated home prices and elevated rental rates. Conversely, less densely populated rural locales or regions characterized by reduced demand tend to offer a more limited array of amenities and undergo slower job market growth, ultimately yielding a more affordable cost of living.
Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In Port Arthur, the housing index is 47.3% lower than the national average.
Groceries: The costs associated with groceries have witnessed substantial increases over the past 2-3 years. In select markets, food prices have escalated by more than 20% during this timeframe, whereas others have seen more restrained upticks. The variances in food expenses can exert a considerable influence on the overall cost of living in a given locale. In Port Arthur, the groceries index is 1.7% lower than the national average.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Port Arthur are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
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| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $75,306 | $6,276 | $1,757 | $2,259 |
| Renters | $39,920 | $3,327 | $931 | $1,198 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Texas | 6.25% | 8.25% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Texas | 0% | 0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| West Orange, TX | 3,356 | 85 | 14.9% |
| Orange, TX | 18,926 | 88 | 11.5% |
| Beaumont, TX | 120,037 | 91 | 9.0% |
| Groves, TX | 15,865 | 92 | 8.1% |
| Bridge City, TX | 8,123 | 95 | 5.1% |
| Port Arthur, TX | 56,362 | 85 | 15.5% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Gilroy, CA | 56,371 | 181 | 81.1% |
| Rocky Mount, NC | 56,346 | 89 | 11.4% |
| Lenexa, KS | 56,388 | 111 | 10.9% |
| Bel Air South, MD | 56,444 | 123 | 22.8% |
| West Haven, CT | 56,258 | 109 | 9.5% |
| Port Arthur, TX | 56,362 | 85 | 15.5% |
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