Port Isabel, TX vs Wells Branch, TX

The cost of living difference between Port Isabel, TX and Wells Branch, TX is dramatic. Port Isabel is 39.7% cheaper than Wells Branch, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Port Isabel has a cost index of 65 while Wells Branch sits at 109, 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 Port Isabel is $843/month compared to $1,450/month in Wells Branch — a 42% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Port Isabel is more affordable at $120,900 median vs $368,500.

Median household income in Port Isabel is $50,775 compared to $64,345 in Wells Branch (-21.1%). The higher salaries in Wells Branch partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Port Isabel spend roughly 19.9% of their income on rent, less than the 27% in Wells Branch.