Alpine, TX vs Melissa, TX

The cost of living difference between Alpine, TX and Melissa, TX is dramatic. Alpine is 45.5% cheaper than Melissa, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Alpine has a cost index of 78 while Melissa sits at 142, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Alpine is $901/month compared to $2,341/month in Melissa — a 62% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Alpine is more affordable at $207,700 median vs $430,300.

Median household income in Alpine is $54,503 compared to $137,875 in Melissa (-60.5%). While Melissa 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 20.4% in Melissa.