Ellinger, TX vs Payne Springs, TX

Ellinger is moderately more affordable than Payne Springs, with a 11.5% lower cost of living index. Ellinger scores 74 compared to 84 for Payne Springs, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Payne Springs can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Ellinger is $775/month compared to $1,125/month in Payne Springs — a 31% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Ellinger has cheaper rent, Payne Springs actually has lower median home values ($170,200 vs $214,300).

Median household income in Ellinger is $59,625 compared to $42,841 in Payne Springs (+39.2%). Ellinger offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Ellinger spend roughly 15.6% of their income on rent, less than the 31.5% in Payne Springs. The Ellinger ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.