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Cost & Benefits

Most affordable towns in Texas, 2026

Mila Doce is the most affordable ranked town in Texas. Rent, the regional price level, taxes, and electricity are 22.5% each. Gasoline is 10%. A lower score is more affordable.

Summary

423
Towns ranked in Texas.
Mila Doce
Number 1 in Texas. Rent is 15.1% of income. National rank 14.
21.2%
Median rent share among ranked towns in Texas.
7
Ranked Texas towns in the national top 100.
Hutchins
Least affordable ranked town in Texas. Rent is 35.0% of income. National rank 4227.

Gasoline

$3.889

per gallon. EIA publishes this state price for the week of October 12, 2026. At 12,000 miles a year and 25 mpg, that is $1,866.72 a year for every ranked town in Texas.

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Cost & Benefits. "2026 Most Affordable Towns Index: Texas." October 16, 2026. https://costandbenefits.com/reports/most-affordable-towns-2026/texas

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Benefits and taxes in Texas

Top 25

  1. #1 in Texas · National #14

    Mila Doce

    Rent share 15.1% · Price level 85.9 · Score 0.141

    Median rent is $640 a month and median income is $50,921, so rent is 15.1% of income, under the 21.2% median for ranked towns in Texas. The McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX metro price level is 85.9 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.88 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.889 a gallon (Texas). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  2. #2 in Texas · National #16

    Murillo

    Rent share 12.7% · Price level 85.9 · Score 0.146

    Median rent is $748 a month and median income is $70,609, so rent is 12.7% of income, under the 21.2% median for ranked towns in Texas. The McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX metro price level is 85.9 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.88 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.889 a gallon (Texas). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  3. #3 in Texas · National #18

    Olivarez

    Rent share 16.0% · Price level 85.9 · Score 0.150

    Median rent is $860 a month and median income is $64,599, so rent is 16.0% of income, under the 21.2% median for ranked towns in Texas. The McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX metro price level is 85.9 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.88 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.889 a gallon (Texas). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  4. #4 in Texas · National #58

    White Oak

    Rent share 14.2% · Price level 89.5 · Score 0.172

    Median rent is $1,194 a month and median income is $101,027, so rent is 14.2% of income, under the 21.2% median for ranked towns in Texas. The Longview, TX metro price level is 89.5 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.88 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.889 a gallon (Texas). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  5. #5 in Texas · National #59

    Lumberton

    Rent share 11.9% · Price level 90.0 · Score 0.172

    Median rent is $1,067 a month and median income is $107,623, so rent is 11.9% of income, under the 21.2% median for ranked towns in Texas. The Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX metro price level is 90.0 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.88 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.889 a gallon (Texas). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  6. #6 in Texas · National #93

    Vidor

    Rent share 15.8% · Price level 90.0 · Score 0.185

    Median rent is $820 a month and median income is $62,192, so rent is 15.8% of income, under the 21.2% median for ranked towns in Texas. The Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX metro price level is 90.0 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.88 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.889 a gallon (Texas). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  7. #7 in Texas · National #98

    Wake Village

    Rent share 16.6% · Price level 84.0 · Score 0.187

    Median rent is $989 a month and median income is $71,574, so rent is 16.6% of income, under the 21.2% median for ranked towns in Texas. The Texarkana, TX-AR metro price level is 84.0 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.88 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.889 a gallon (Texas). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  8. #8 in Texas · National #127

    Alamo

    Rent share 17.0% · Price level 85.9 · Score 0.196

    Median rent is $811 a month and median income is $57,096, so rent is 17.0% of income, under the 21.2% median for ranked towns in Texas. The McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX metro price level is 85.9 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.88 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.889 a gallon (Texas). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  9. #9 in Texas · National #133

    Iowa Park

    Rent share 16.9% · Price level 89.5 · Score 0.197

    Median rent is $938 a month and median income is $66,622, so rent is 16.9% of income, under the 21.2% median for ranked towns in Texas. The Wichita Falls, TX metro price level is 89.5 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.88 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.889 a gallon (Texas). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  10. #10 in Texas · National #149

    Hidalgo

    Rent share 17.0% · Price level 85.9 · Score 0.200

    Median rent is $842 a month and median income is $59,441, so rent is 17.0% of income, under the 21.2% median for ranked towns in Texas. The McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX metro price level is 85.9 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.88 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.889 a gallon (Texas). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  11. #11 in Texas · National #201

    Port Neches

    Rent share 16.1% · Price level 90.0 · Score 0.214

    Median rent is $1,095 a month and median income is $81,637, so rent is 16.1% of income, under the 21.2% median for ranked towns in Texas. The Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX metro price level is 90.0 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.88 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.889 a gallon (Texas). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  12. #12 in Texas · National #206

    Burkburnett

    Rent share 17.4% · Price level 89.5 · Score 0.214

    Median rent is $964 a month and median income is $66,308, so rent is 17.4% of income, under the 21.2% median for ranked towns in Texas. The Wichita Falls, TX metro price level is 89.5 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.88 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.889 a gallon (Texas). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  13. #13 in Texas · National #221

    Penitas

    Rent share 17.1% · Price level 85.9 · Score 0.216

    Median rent is $697 a month and median income is $48,993, so rent is 17.1% of income, under the 21.2% median for ranked towns in Texas. The McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX metro price level is 85.9 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.88 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.889 a gallon (Texas). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  14. #14 in Texas · National #226

    Homestead Meadows North

    Rent share 16.5% · Price level 89.9 · Score 0.217

    Median rent is $865 a month and median income is $63,088, so rent is 16.5% of income, under the 21.2% median for ranked towns in Texas. The El Paso, TX metro price level is 89.9 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.88 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.889 a gallon (Texas). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  15. #15 in Texas · National #249

    West Odessa

    Rent share 16.4% · Price level 93.9 · Score 0.223

    Median rent is $891 a month and median income is $65,234, so rent is 16.4% of income, under the 21.2% median for ranked towns in Texas. The Odessa, TX metro price level is 93.9 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.88 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.889 a gallon (Texas). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  16. #16 in Texas · National #250

    Palmview

    Rent share 18.5% · Price level 85.9 · Score 0.223

    Median rent is $678 a month and median income is $43,963, so rent is 18.5% of income, under the 21.2% median for ranked towns in Texas. The McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX metro price level is 85.9 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.88 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.889 a gallon (Texas). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  17. #17 in Texas · National #264

    Primera

    Rent share 19.4% · Price level 86.0 · Score 0.226

    Median rent is $1,293 a month and median income is $80,116, so rent is 19.4% of income, under the 21.2% median for ranked towns in Texas. The Brownsville-Harlingen, TX metro price level is 86.0 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.88 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.889 a gallon (Texas). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  18. #18 in Texas · National #272

    Levelland

    Rent share 17.5% · Price level 91.3 · Score 0.228

    Median rent is $846 a month and median income is $58,000, so rent is 17.5% of income, under the 21.2% median for ranked towns in Texas. The Lubbock, TX metro price level is 91.3 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.88 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.889 a gallon (Texas). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  19. #19 in Texas · National #277

    Lakehills

    Rent share 13.9% · Price level 94.7 · Score 0.228

    Median rent is $1,046 a month and median income is $90,110, so rent is 13.9% of income, under the 21.2% median for ranked towns in Texas. The San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX metro price level is 94.7 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.88 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.889 a gallon (Texas). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  20. #20 in Texas · National #279

    Scenic Oaks

    Rent share 12.6% · Price level 94.7 · Score 0.229

    Median rent is $1,835 a month and median income is $174,962, so rent is 12.6% of income, under the 21.2% median for ranked towns in Texas. The San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX metro price level is 94.7 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.88 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.889 a gallon (Texas). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  21. #21 in Texas · National #287

    Port Lavaca

    Rent share 14.5% · Price level 97.1 · Score 0.231

    Median rent is $849 a month and median income is $70,123, so rent is 14.5% of income, under the 21.2% median for ranked towns in Texas. The Texas state price level is 97.1 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.88 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.889 a gallon (Texas). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is regional price level.

  22. #22 in Texas · National #290

    Copperas Cove

    Rent share 17.6% · Price level 91.1 · Score 0.231

    Median rent is $1,043 a month and median income is $71,225, so rent is 17.6% of income, under the 21.2% median for ranked towns in Texas. The Killeen-Temple, TX metro price level is 91.1 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.88 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.889 a gallon (Texas). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  23. #23 in Texas · National #297

    Los Fresnos

    Rent share 19.2% · Price level 86.0 · Score 0.233

    Median rent is $989 a month and median income is $61,938, so rent is 19.2% of income, under the 21.2% median for ranked towns in Texas. The Brownsville-Harlingen, TX metro price level is 86.0 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.88 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.889 a gallon (Texas). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  24. #24 in Texas · National #312

    Lampasas

    Rent share 17.2% · Price level 91.1 · Score 0.235

    Median rent is $961 a month and median income is $67,229, so rent is 17.2% of income, under the 21.2% median for ranked towns in Texas. The Killeen-Temple, TX metro price level is 91.1 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.88 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.889 a gallon (Texas). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  25. #25 in Texas · National #318

    Weslaco

    Rent share 19.5% · Price level 85.9 · Score 0.235

    Median rent is $967 a month and median income is $59,551, so rent is 19.5% of income, under the 21.2% median for ranked towns in Texas. The McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX metro price level is 85.9 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.88 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.889 a gallon (Texas). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

Least affordable 10

  1. #423 in Texas · National #4227

    Hutchins

    Rent share 35.0% · Price level 103.1 · Score 0.540

    Median rent is $1,396 a month and median income is $47,829, so rent is 35.0% of income, over the 21.2% median for ranked towns in Texas. The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro price level is 103.1 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.88 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.889 a gallon (Texas). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  2. #422 in Texas · National #4165

    Addison

    Rent share 29.0% · Price level 103.1 · Score 0.534

    Median rent is $1,784 a month and median income is $73,854, so rent is 29.0% of income, over the 21.2% median for ranked towns in Texas. The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro price level is 103.1 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.88 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.889 a gallon (Texas). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  3. #421 in Texas · National #4135

    Travis Ranch

    Rent share 32.2% · Price level 103.1 · Score 0.531

    Median rent is $2,252 a month and median income is $83,801, so rent is 32.2% of income, over the 21.2% median for ranked towns in Texas. The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro price level is 103.1 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.88 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.889 a gallon (Texas). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  4. #420 in Texas · National #4105

    Sansom Park

    Rent share 33.1% · Price level 103.1 · Score 0.528

    Median rent is $1,166 a month and median income is $42,257, so rent is 33.1% of income, over the 21.2% median for ranked towns in Texas. The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro price level is 103.1 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.88 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.889 a gallon (Texas). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  5. #419 in Texas · National #4011

    Lancaster

    Rent share 29.9% · Price level 103.1 · Score 0.520

    Median rent is $1,704 a month and median income is $68,302, so rent is 29.9% of income, over the 21.2% median for ranked towns in Texas. The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro price level is 103.1 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.88 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.889 a gallon (Texas). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  6. #418 in Texas · National #3998

    Heartland

    Rent share 30.1% · Price level 103.1 · Score 0.518

    Median rent is $2,333 a month and median income is $92,996, so rent is 30.1% of income, over the 21.2% median for ranked towns in Texas. The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro price level is 103.1 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.88 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.889 a gallon (Texas). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  7. #417 in Texas · National #3970

    Haltom City

    Rent share 28.8% · Price level 103.1 · Score 0.516

    Median rent is $1,415 a month and median income is $59,057, so rent is 28.8% of income, over the 21.2% median for ranked towns in Texas. The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro price level is 103.1 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.88 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.889 a gallon (Texas). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  8. #416 in Texas · National #3876

    Prairie View

    Rent share 57.1% · Price level 98.6 · Score 0.510

    Median rent is $1,002 a month and median income is $21,060, so rent is 57.1% of income, over the 21.2% median for ranked towns in Texas. The Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro price level is 98.6 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.88 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.889 a gallon (Texas). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  9. #415 in Texas · National #3827

    Richland Hills

    Rent share 26.8% · Price level 103.1 · Score 0.507

    Median rent is $1,492 a month and median income is $66,721, so rent is 26.8% of income, over the 21.2% median for ranked towns in Texas. The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro price level is 103.1 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.88 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.889 a gallon (Texas). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  10. #414 in Texas · National #3804

    Forest Hill

    Rent share 30.9% · Price level 103.1 · Score 0.504

    Median rent is $1,763 a month and median income is $68,457, so rent is 30.9% of income, over the 21.2% median for ranked towns in Texas. The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro price level is 103.1 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.88 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.889 a gallon (Texas). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

The formula

A lower score is more affordable. Rent share, the regional price level, taxes, and electricity each count 22.5%. Gasoline counts 10%. Those weights are our choice. Gasoline stays at 10% because the miles figure is one national standard, not a measured town commute. This is not a government standard.

A percentile is the share of ranked towns with a strictly lower number, divided by the number of ranked towns minus one. The lowest number scores 0. Tied numbers share a percentile.

  1. Rent share = (median monthly rent × 12) / median household income. Both figures are the Census 2020–2024 medians for that place.
  2. RPP-adjusted cost is the BEA 2024 all-items regional price parity. A basket priced at 100 for the U.S. average costs this many dollars in the town's area. We use the metro index when the county is in a metro BEA publishes. Otherwise we use the state index and say so. This index includes housing, so housing also shows up in the rent share.
  3. Tax burden is the average of three percentiles. Income-tax share is state income tax plus the stored 2023 local AGI add-on, divided by the town's median household income, on a joint return. Property share is the state's median effective property-tax rate times the town's median home value, divided by income. Sales rate is the combined state and average local sales-tax rate. We do not turn the sales rate into dollars, because that would require a shopping basket we do not have.
  4. Electricity is the state residential price in cents per kilowatt-hour. Every town in a state shares it. We do not guess how many kilowatt-hours a home uses.
  5. Gasoline is the EIA retail price for all grades and all formulations, in dollars per gallon. Where EIA publishes a state series, we use that state. Every other state uses the PADD region EIA assigns to it. Census does not publish commuting miles for these towns, so annual gas spend is 12,000 miles a year divided by 25 miles per gallon, times the price. That is 480 gallons, the same for every town. Those miles are our standard, not an ACS figure and not a government mileage rule. Because the gallons do not change, the gas percentile is the percentile of the price.

    Weekly prices are for the week of October 12, 2026, from the EIA workbook released October 14, 2026. File: https://www.eia.gov/petroleum/gasdiesel/xls/pswrgvwall.xls. Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, and Oregon use West Coast (PADD 5) Except California. That series is not in the weekly workbook, so those five use the monthly price dated September 15, 2026. File: https://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/pet_pri_gnd_a_epm0_pte_dpgal_m.htm.

    • State series, week of October 12, 2026: California, Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Texas, Washington.
    • Central Atlantic (PADD 1B), week of October 12, 2026: Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania.
    • Gulf Coast (PADD 3), week of October 12, 2026: Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico.
    • Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C), week of October 12, 2026: Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia.
    • Midwest (PADD 2), week of October 12, 2026: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Wisconsin.
    • New England (PADD 1A), week of October 12, 2026: Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont.
    • Rocky Mountain (PADD 4), week of October 12, 2026: Idaho, Montana, Utah, Wyoming.
    • West Coast (PADD 5) Except California, September 15, 2026: Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon.

Score = 0.225 × rent percentile + 0.225 × price-level percentile + 0.225 × tax score + 0.225 × electricity percentile + 0.10 × gasoline percentile. Rank 1 is the lowest score. If scores tie, the lower rent share wins, then the lower price level, then the place slug in A-to-Z order.

Questions

What is the most affordable town in Texas in this index?

Mila Doce is number 1 of 423 ranked towns in Texas. Median rent is 15.1% of median income. Its national rank is 14.

How many towns in Texas were ranked?

423 towns in Texas have at least 5,000 people and published Census rent, income, and home value. Places missing one of those figures are left out.

Does this ranking approve benefits in Texas?

No. Cost & Benefits does not approve or deny benefits. The score is a cost comparison only.