Dickinson, TX vs Port Arthur, TX

The cost of living difference between Dickinson, TX and Port Arthur, TX is dramatic. Port Arthur is 32.1% cheaper than Dickinson, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Dickinson has a cost index of 92 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 Dickinson is $1,235/month compared to $996/month in Port Arthur — a 24% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Port Arthur is more affordable at $96,900 median vs $244,500.

Median household income in Dickinson is $82,018 compared to $45,752 in Port Arthur (+79.3%). While Dickinson is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Dickinson spend roughly 18.1% of their income on rent, less than the 26.1% in Port Arthur.