Below Average CostHigher than AveragePORT ARTHUR ISD
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Port Arthur is a mid-sized city of 55,897 in Texas, with a median household income of $45,357
and a 8.0% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 90 (US average = 100), which is
10% below the national average.
Strengths:
Port Arthur stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include a higher-than-average crime index, an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Port Arthur is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Port Arthur city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 90.2
Port Arthur's overall cost of living index is 90.2,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Port Arthur costs roughly 10% less than the average American city.
Metric
Port Arthur, TX
National Avg
Median Home Value
$91,500
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$938
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
57.2%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$45,357
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Higher than Average
Port Arthur's violent crime rate is 718.5 per 100,000 residents
— 89% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
718.5 /100k
Property Crime
1539.8 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Port Arthur is served primarily by PORT ARTHUR ISD.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.2:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Port Arthur, TX
National Avg
School District
PORT ARTHUR ISD
—
Elementary Schools
8
—
Middle Schools
2
—
High Schools
4
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
13.2:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
11.4%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
77.1%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Port Arthur sees average highs of 63.5°F in January
and 92.6°F in July,
with 59.8 inches of annual precipitation
.
Port Arthur's cost of living index is 90, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Port Arthur roughly 10% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $91,500 and median rent is $938/month.
Port Arthur's violent crime rate is 718.5 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1539.8 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Port Arthur are operated by PORT ARTHUR ISD.
The district has 8 elementary, 2 middle, and 4 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.2:1. 11.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Port Arthur, TX has a population of 55,897, a median household income of $45,357, and an unemployment rate of 8.0%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Port Arthur averages 63.5°F in January and 92.6°F in July. Annual rainfall is 59.8 inches
.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Port Arthur, TX is covered by 3 ZIP codes: 77640, 77655, 77642.
The population of Port Arthur, Texas is 55,897 with a median age of 33.7. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Port Arthur: cost of living index 90 (100 = US average), median home $91,500, median household income $45,357, crime index 143 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Port Arthur side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
