Palestine, TX

Yes — everyday expenses in Palestine run about 23% below the US average (Cost Index: 77). Housing is especially affordable: the median home is valued around $153,400, compared to the $303,400 national median. Monthly rent is typically around $1,032, versus $1,348 nationally.

Start with housing. Typical monthly rent is $1,032, while local median household income is $46,228. That implies a rent-burden proxy of about 27% before utilities and other costs. For a specific job offer, filing status, or take-home pay scenario, use salary.city.

Texas is one of the few states with no state income tax, which can save residents thousands of dollars per year. The effective property tax rate is 1.6%. On a home worth $153,400, that translates to roughly $2,454 per year in property taxes. Sales tax (state + local) averages around 8.19% on everyday purchases.

The typical monthly rent in Palestine is around $1,032. That's roughly 23% lower than the $1,348 national median. For comparison, the median home value here is $153,400, so buyers should also factor in mortgage payments, property taxes, and insurance.

The median home in Palestine is valued at $153,400. With 20% down and a 6.5% mortgage rate, you'd be looking at roughly $776/month for principal and interest alone — before property taxes and insurance. About 55% of residents here own their homes.

Grocery prices in Palestine are about average compared to the rest of the US (index: 96, where 100 is the national average). Utility bills (electricity, gas, water) are below average (index: 88). Overall, these everyday costs shouldn't cause major surprises if you're moving from another similarly-sized US city.

Palestine is a small town with a population of about 18,888. The median age of residents is 35.4, which is close to the national median. The local poverty rate is 17.51%, above the national average of 12.4%.