Murphy, TX vs Port Arthur, TX

The cost of living difference between Murphy, TX and Port Arthur, TX is dramatic. Port Arthur is 125.4% cheaper than Murphy, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Murphy has a cost index of 158 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 Murphy is $2,640/month compared to $996/month in Port Arthur — a 165% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Port Arthur is more affordable at $96,900 median vs $508,500.

Median household income in Murphy is $165,109 compared to $45,752 in Port Arthur (+260.9%). While Murphy is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Murphy spend roughly 19.2% of their income on rent, less than the 26.1% in Port Arthur.

Climate-wise, Port Arthur is notably warmer with an average of 69.9°F compared to 65°F in Murphy. Port Arthur receives more rainfall at 62.1" per year compared to 38.3" in Murphy.