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City Report · TX

Port Arthur

Pop. 55,828·243rd most expensive in Texas·Port Arthur rents are up 30.9% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,270/mo
Year-over-Year
+30.9%
Month-over-Month
-4.4%
vs US Median
-$692
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Port Arthur · $1,270
More affordable than 89% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
33% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,270/mo, rent takes about 33% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$51,000/yr
Local median income
$46,354/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Port Arthur's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$880
1 BR
$880
2 BR
$1,070
3 BR
$1,400
4 BR+
$1,610
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,070/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,270 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$15,240/yr
At $1,270/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 30.9% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+30.9% YoY, -4.4% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Port Arthur, TX is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 12.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
55,828
Median income
$46,354
Median age
35.5
Renters
42%
Age distribution
27.5%
21.9%
24.7%
14.8%
Under 1827.5%
18–3421.9%
35–5424.7%
55–6411.1%
65+14.8%
Gender
49.8%
50.2%
Male49.8%
Female50.2%
Race & ethnicity
19.4%
42.3%
36.4%
White19.4%
Black42.3%
Hispanic36.4%
Asian4.5%
Education (25+)
21.4%
35.4%
30.4%
12.8%
No HS diploma21.4%
HS diploma35.4%
Some college30.4%
Bachelor's+12.8%
Housing tenure
58%
42%
Owner58%
Renter42%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2022 vs 2026

How Port Arthur, TX has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,004 → $1,270
up 26.5%
Income
$42,933 → $46,354
up 8.0%
Population
55,757 → 55,828
up 0.1%
Renter share
42.9% → 42%
-0.9 pts
Bachelor's+
10.9% → 12.8%
+1.9 pts
Median age
34.5 → 35.5
+1.0 yrs

The median rent in Port Arthur, TX stood at $1,004 in 2022 and currently runs about $1,270, reflecting a 26.5% increase over the period. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $42,933 in 2021 to $46,354 more recently. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Port Arthur, TX market of 2022.

Community

Discussions about Port Arthur

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View Port Arthur rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Port Arthur on your salary?

At $1,270/mo, how Port Arthur rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Port Arthur rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Port Arthur. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Port Arthur

About renting in Port Arthur, TX

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Port Arthur is $1,270/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $880/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,070/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $880/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,400/mo.

At 33% of local median household income ($46,354/yr), Port Arthur ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 30.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Port Arthur an affordable city for renters?

Port Arthur is considered moderate for renters. At $1,270/mo, rent takes approximately 33% of the local median household income ($46,354/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Port Arthur slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Port Arthur?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $51,000/year (~$25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,270/mo in Port Arthur. The local median household income is $46,354/yr, meaning the typical Port Arthur household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Port Arthur?

Rent in Port Arthur has increased 30.9% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Port Arthur rent compare to other cities in Texas?

Port Arthur is one of the more affordable cities in Texas for rent, ranking #243 out of 267 tracked cities at $1,270/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Port Arthur?

Orange is nearby and more affordable at $1,149/mo, which is $121 less than Port Arthur.

What percentage of Port Arthur residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 42% of Port Arthur households are renters, while 58% are owner-occupied. Port Arthur leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Port Arthur rent compare to the national average?

Port Arthur's median rent of $1,270/mo is $692 (35%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Texas, it ranks #243 out of 267 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
33%
MODERATE

At $1,270/mo, rent takes ~33% of Port Arthur's median household income ($46,354/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Port Arthur 33%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
Run the Port Arthur affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Port Arthur, TX

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