salaryRent is lower than in 75% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $48,480 a year. That is $23 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Texas cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Texas. It is number 128 of 426 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Port Arthur?
Share of households by yearly income. 11.6% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Port Arthur
| Size | Port Arthur | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $727 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $876 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,089 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,293 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,493 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Port Arthur overall?
Everyday prices in the Beaumont-Port Arthur metro area are 10% below the U.S. average (index 90.0, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Port Arthur
Life in Port Arthur
What jobs pay in Port Arthur
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $137,570 | 10.6% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $133,130 | 10.9% |
| Physician Assistant | $132,920 | 10.9% |
| Lawyer | $131,680 | 11.0% |
| Software Developer | $124,470 | 11.7% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $101,900 | 14.3% |
| Operations Manager | $97,470 | 14.9% |
| Dental Hygienist | $97,350 | 14.9% |
| Civil Engineer | $95,510 | 15.2% |
| Registered Nurse | $81,180 | 17.9% |
| Police Officer | $78,450 | 18.5% |
| Accountant | $76,680 | 19.0% |
| Firefighter | $64,540 | 22.5% |
| Plumber | $62,220 | 23.4% |
| Electrician | $61,380 | 23.7% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $60,260 | 24.1% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $58,590 | 24.8% |
| Carpenter | $58,290 | 25.0% |
| HVAC Technician | $56,720 | 25.6% |
| Truck Driver | $54,900 | 26.5% |
| Market Research Analyst | $52,530 | 27.7% |
| Customer Service Representative | $37,980 | 38.3% |
| Medical Assistant | $37,690 | 38.6% |
| Warehouse Worker | $37,660 | 38.6% |
| Nursing Assistant | $35,110 | 41.4% |
| Restaurant Cook | $30,520 | 47.7% |
| Retail Salesperson | $29,810 | 48.8% |
| Cashier | $28,730 | 50.6% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $22,400 | 64.9% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Port Arthur?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $467 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $107,400 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $10,740 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Port Arthur, TX?
Renting in Port Arthur costs a median of about $1,212 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Texas median is $1,451.
How much do I need to make to live in Port Arthur?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $48,480 a year, or $23 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Port Arthur cheap or expensive?
Port Arthur is rated OK: rent takes 29.1% of the typical household income of $49,993. It ranks 128th cheapest of 426 Texas cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Port Arthur?
The median homeowner in Port Arthur pays $1,521 a year in property taxes, about 1.42% of the median home value.
Is Port Arthur more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 10% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Port Arthur?
The median home value in Port Arthur is $107,400, about 2.1 times the typical yearly household income.
55,828 people live in Port Arthur. Numbers are typical (middle) values.