Carrollton, TX vs Port Arthur, TX

The cost of living difference between Carrollton, TX and Port Arthur, TX is dramatic. Port Arthur is 65.4% cheaper than Carrollton, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Carrollton has a cost index of 116 while Port Arthur sits at 70, 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 Carrollton is $1,674/month compared to $996/month in Port Arthur — a 68% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Port Arthur is more affordable at $96,900 median vs $353,600.

Median household income in Carrollton is $99,115 compared to $45,752 in Port Arthur (+116.6%). While Carrollton is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Carrollton spend roughly 20.3% of their income on rent, less than the 26.1% in Port Arthur.