Hartley, TX vs Runaway Bay, TX

Hartley, TX and Runaway Bay, TX have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.3% difference in their overall index. Hartley scores 95 while Runaway Bay scores 94 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 Hartley is $1,538/month compared to $1,172/month in Runaway Bay — a 31% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Runaway Bay has cheaper rent, Hartley actually has lower median home values ($186,700 vs $274,700).

Median household income in Hartley is $54,050 compared to $83,333 in Runaway Bay (-35.1%). Runaway Bay offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Hartley spend roughly 34.1% of their income on rent, more than the 16.9% in Runaway Bay. The Runaway Bay ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, Runaway Bay is notably warmer with an average of 65.1°F compared to 56.8°F in Hartley. Runaway Bay receives more rainfall at 31.8" per year compared to 15.6" in Hartley.