Alpine, TX vs Gainesville, TX

Alpine, TX and Gainesville, TX have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.2% difference in their overall index. Alpine scores 78 while Gainesville scores 78 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Alpine is $901/month compared to $1,080/month in Gainesville — a 17% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Alpine has cheaper rent, Gainesville actually has lower median home values ($162,900 vs $207,700).

Median household income in Alpine is $54,503 compared to $56,341 in Gainesville (-3.3%). While Gainesville is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Alpine spend roughly 19.8% of their income on rent, less than the 23% in Gainesville.