Marfa, TX vs Rising Star, TX
There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Rising Star is 16.1% cheaper than Marfa. With a cost index of 54 vs 63, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Rising Star to Marfa should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.
On the housing front, median rent in Marfa is $395/month compared to $596/month in Rising Star — a 34% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Marfa has cheaper rent, Rising Star actually has lower median home values ($36,500 vs $217,600).
Median household income in Marfa is $38,205 compared to $31,667 in Rising Star (+20.6%). While Marfa is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Marfa spend roughly 12.4% of their income on rent, less than the 22.6% in Rising Star.
Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (66.6°F vs 65°F). Rising Star receives more rainfall at 34.1" per year compared to 12.8" in Marfa.
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Housing
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Climate
NOAA 30-year normals (1991-2020)