Lakeway, TX vs Port Arthur, TX

The cost of living difference between Lakeway, TX and Port Arthur, TX is dramatic. Port Arthur is 166.2% cheaper than Lakeway, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Lakeway has a cost index of 186 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 Lakeway is $3,123/month compared to $996/month in Port Arthur — a 214% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Port Arthur is more affordable at $96,900 median vs $695,400.

Median household income in Lakeway is $164,978 compared to $45,752 in Port Arthur (+260.6%). While Lakeway is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Lakeway spend roughly 22.7% of their income on rent, less than the 26.1% in Port Arthur.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (70°F vs 69.9°F). Port Arthur receives more rainfall at 62.1" per year compared to 36.3" in Lakeway.