Port Isabel is a small town of 5,137 in Texas, with a median household income of $42,601
and a 2.0% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 85 (US average = 100), which is
15% below the national average.
Strengths:
Port Isabel stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether Port Isabel is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Port Isabel 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: 85.2
Port Isabel's overall cost of living index is 85.2,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Port Isabel costs roughly 15% less than the average American city.
Metric
Port Isabel, TX
National Avg
Median Home Value
$155,900
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$661
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
60.7%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$42,601
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Near National Average
Port Isabel's violent crime rate is 368.9 per 100,000 residents
— 3% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
368.9 /100k
Property Crime
3825.2 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Port Isabel is served primarily by POINT ISABEL ISD.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.5:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Port Isabel, TX
National Avg
School District
POINT ISABEL ISD
—
Elementary Schools
2
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
2
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
13.5:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
14.5%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
79.2%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Port Isabel sees average highs of 68.9°F in January
and 91.0°F in July,
with 28.8 inches of annual precipitation
and 0.2 inches of snow per year.
Port Isabel's cost of living index is 85, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Port Isabel roughly 15% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $155,900 and median rent is $661/month.
Port Isabel's violent crime rate is 368.9 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 3825.2 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Port Isabel are operated by POINT ISABEL ISD.
The district has 2 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.5:1. 14.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Port Isabel, TX has a population of 5,137, a median household income of $42,601, and an unemployment rate of 2.0%.
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 Isabel averages 68.9°F in January and 91.0°F in July. Annual rainfall is 28.8 inches
with about 0.2 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
The population of Port Isabel, Texas is 5,137 with a median age of 39.7. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Port Isabel: cost of living index 85 (100 = US average), median home $155,900, median household income $42,601, crime index 131 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Port Isabel side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
