Cost of Living in Alvarado, TX

With a cost of living index of 79, Alvarado, TX is a very affordable place to live. Living here is 21% cheaper than the national average and 9% below the Texas state average of 88. Alvarado is a smaller community of 5,424 residents, where everyday costs can differ substantially from nearby larger cities.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Alvarado's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $854 (35% below the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $206,800 (32% below the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 2.9x the median household income — well within traditional affordability guidelines.

The median household income in Alvarado is $71,296, which is 5% lower than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 14% of household income on rent. This is a comfortable ratio, well below the 30% threshold that financial experts recommend as a maximum.

Everyday prices in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX (Metropolitan Statistical Area) metro area tend to run above the national average. Out of 6 common grocery and utility items tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 5 are priced higher than the US average. These real-world prices — from groceries to electricity — add up and should be factored into any cost of living comparison.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.