Decatur, TX vs Murphy, TX

The cost of living difference between Decatur, TX and Murphy, TX is dramatic. Decatur is 43.7% cheaper than Murphy, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Decatur has a cost index of 89 while Murphy sits at 158, 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 Decatur is $1,089/month compared to $2,640/month in Murphy — a 59% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Decatur is more affordable at $242,200 median vs $508,500.

Median household income in Decatur is $71,919 compared to $165,109 in Murphy (-56.4%). While Murphy is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Decatur spend roughly 18.2% of their income on rent, less than the 19.2% in Murphy.