McAllen, TX vs Port Arthur, TX

Port Arthur is moderately more affordable than McAllen, with a 7.6% lower cost of living index. McAllen scores 75 compared to 70 for Port Arthur, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of McAllen can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in McAllen is $1,017/month compared to $996/month in Port Arthur — a 2% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Port Arthur is more affordable at $96,900 median vs $173,800.

Median household income in McAllen is $60,165 compared to $45,752 in Port Arthur (+31.5%). While McAllen is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of McAllen spend roughly 20.3% of their income on rent, less than the 26.1% in Port Arthur.

Climate-wise, McAllen is notably warmer with an average of 77.4°F compared to 69.9°F in Port Arthur. Port Arthur receives more rainfall at 62.1" per year compared to 22.2" in McAllen.