Balcones Heights, TX vs Kirby, TX

Balcones Heights, TX and Kirby, TX have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.4% difference in their overall index. Balcones Heights scores 79 while Kirby scores 80 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 Balcones Heights is $927/month compared to $1,114/month in Kirby — a 17% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Balcones Heights has cheaper rent, Kirby actually has lower median home values ($159,000 vs $214,300).

Median household income in Balcones Heights is $28,082 compared to $58,700 in Kirby (-52.2%). While Kirby is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Balcones Heights spend roughly 39.6% of their income on rent, more than the 22.8% in Kirby. The Kirby ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.