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Port Neches, TX

Manageable

Your dollar goes further in Port Neches, TX — everyday costs run about 15% below the national average (Cost Index: 85). Housing is especially affordable: the median home is valued at $231,000, well under the $303,400 US median. The local median household income of $84,335 tends to stretch further here than in most parts of the country.

Port Neches looks comparatively manageable for household relocation, with 16% rent burden, 2.7x home-price-to-income, and a housing index of 76. Use the assumptions below to test whether your own budget still stays in the safe range.Data Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 · BEA RPP 2023 · Zillow ZHVI

Data Updated: March 2026
Housing Feasibility Verdict
Safe

Based on your household income, housing mode, local rent, home value, property tax, and mortgage assumptions for Port Neches.

Monthly Housing
$1,116/mo
Lower of rent or buy scenario
Housing Burden
16%
Healthy
Residual Cash
$5,412/mo
After housing and debt · $1,804/person
Rent vs Buy
Buying can be tested
Main pressure: property tax
Assumptions
Housing Mode
Confidence: MediumHome source: ACSRent source: ACSBEA proxy: msaHousehold size: 3Down payment: 20%Fixed burden: 23%
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Cost Index
85
Affordable
Based on housing costs · See methodology
Median Home Value
$231,000
Source: Census ACS
National: $303,400
Median Rent
$1,116/mo
Source: Census ACS
National: $1,348/mo
Household Income
$84,335
National: $78,538
Population
13,627
Purchasing Power
126
100 = national baseline

Cost of Living Breakdown

Each index uses 100 as the US national average. A score of 150 means 50% more expensive; 80 means 20% cheaper.

Housing Cost Index
76 / 100
24% below average
Rent Index
83 / 100
17% below average
Goods & Groceries
94 / 100
6% cheaper than average
Utilities
83 / 100
17% lower utility bills
Healthcare & Services
96 / 100
In line with national average
Overall Index
85
Affordable · 15% below average

Port Neches Mortgage Calculator

Pre-filled with the local median home value of $231,000 and Texas's property tax rate of 1.6%.

Household Housing Budget

Local median household income is shown only as a place-side affordability input. Personal salary, filing status, and take-home pay analysis belong in salary.city.

Local Household Income
$84,335
Census ACS place context
Rent Burden Estimate
16%
Typical annual rent / local household income
Home Price to Income
2.7x
Typical home value / local household income
Use this section to judge whether Port Neches looks structurally manageable for a household budget. For a specific job offer, filing status, payroll taxes, or salary equivalence across cities, run the income-side decision in salary.city.

Property Tax in Port Neches, TX

Est. Annual Property Tax
$3,696
Monthly Impact
$308
Added to your mortgage
Effective Rate
1.60%
National avg: ~1.00%

Texas Place Tax Context

Tax TypeTexasNational Avg
Property Tax Rate1.60%1.00%
Top Income Tax RateNo State Income Tax~5.0%
State Sales Tax8.19%~5.0%

Compare Port Neches to Another City

Compare place-side costs such as housing, rent, groceries, utilities, services, and tax context.

Cost of Living Comparison

Compare place-side housing, rent, goods, services, and utility pressure between cities.

Port Neches, TX
85
83
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Cost Index Comparison (100 = National Avg)

Housing CostsNational Avg: 100
Port Neches, TX: 76
Rent Prices
83

FAQ: Living in Port Neches

Is Port Neches, TX an affordable place to live?+

Yes — everyday expenses in Port Neches run about 15% below the US average (Cost Index: 85). Housing is especially affordable: the median home is valued around $231,000, compared to the $303,400 national median. Monthly rent is typically around $1,116, versus $1,348 nationally.

How does Port Neches fit a household housing budget?+

Start with housing. Typical monthly rent is $1,116, while local median household income is $84,335. That implies a rent-burden proxy of about 16% before utilities and other costs. For a specific job offer, filing status, or take-home pay scenario, use salary.city.

How much are taxes in Port Neches, TX?+

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 $231,000, that translates to roughly $3,696 per year in property taxes. Sales tax (state + local) averages around 8.19% on everyday purchases.

How much does it cost to rent in Port Neches, TX?+

The typical monthly rent in Port Neches is around $1,116. That's roughly 17% lower than the $1,348 national median. For comparison, the median home value here is $231,000, so buyers should also factor in mortgage payments, property taxes, and insurance.

How much does a house cost in Port Neches, TX?+

The median home in Port Neches is valued at $231,000. With 20% down and a 6.5% mortgage rate, you'd be looking at roughly $1,168/month for principal and interest alone — before property taxes and insurance. About 72% of residents here own their homes.

Are groceries and utilities expensive in Port Neches?+

Grocery prices in Port Neches are more affordable compared to the rest of the US (index: 94, where 100 is the national average). Utility bills (electricity, gas, water) are below average (index: 83). Both help keep your monthly expenses lower than in many parts of the country.

What is Port Neches, TX like to live in?+

Port Neches is a small town with a population of about 13,627. The median age of residents is 39.6, which is close to the national median. The local poverty rate is 10.36%, near the national average of 12.4%.

Lower-Pressure Alternatives in Texas

If Port Neches feels tight, start with these same-state cities that look easier on rent burden or buy-side pressure.

Higher-Pressure Comparisons in Texas

Use these city pages when you want to compare Port Neches against tougher same-state markets before deciding whether the current city is already a stretch.

LC
Reviewed by LivabilityCalc Research Team
Financial Data Analysts · Census & Economic Data Specialists
Data Sources & Methodology
  • Real Estate & Housing: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI, Smoothed & Seasonally Adjusted) and Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI). Structural fallback utilizes U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates.
  • Goods, Utilities & Services: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Metropolitan Area Regional Price Parities (MARPP), incorporating verified State Nonmetropolitan averages.
  • Mortgage Rates: Freddie Mac 30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage Average in the United States (PMMS) via Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED).
  • Tax Context: State-level property, sales, and income-tax context used for place-side relocation planning. Personal take-home pay and offer analysis are handled by salary.city.
  • Index Methodology: Weighting matrix derived from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Expenditure Surveys (CEX) distributional models. Baseline standardized at 100. (Read methodology details)
Last data update: March 2026 · Mortgage rates updated monthly