City in Jefferson County, part of the Beaumont metro

Living in Port Arthur, TX

F

75th of 75Texas cities of 50,000+ people
Overall score 1 of 100
23rd of 23 in the Beaumont area

We give Port Arthur an F. It ranks 75th of 75 Texas cities of 50,000+ people. It does best on cost of living and getting around, and trails on health and schools.

  • Affordable
  • Jobs and income scores low (2 of 100)
  • Schools scores low (1 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Port Arthur isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthPort Arthur
Where Port Arthur is in Texas.
Population
55,804-0.4% since 2020
Median rent
$1,02127% lower than Texas
Median home value
$107,40062% lower than Texas
Household income
$46,354Median
Average commute
23 minOne way
Violent crime
596Per 100k, 2025

What it's like to live in Port Arthur

Port Arthur sits about 21 miles from downtown Beaumont, in the Beaumont-Port Arthur metro. 55,804 people lived here in 2025, down 0.4% from 2020. It is spread out.

Places locals use include Walter Umphrey Pier, Golden Triangle Veterans Memorial Park and Gates Memorial Library.

The median age is 35.5, 36% of households have children, 58% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $46,354 a year (41% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Port Arthur

  • Lower rent. Median rent is $1,021, 27% lower than the Texas median.
  • Homes are affordable for local incomes. The median home costs 2.3 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.

Cons of living in Port Arthur

  • Weaker school ratings. Only 26% of the 19 rated campuses earn an A or B from the state.
  • Higher violent crime. 596 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, 54% higher than the Texas rate.
  • Higher unemployment. 8.4% of the labor force is out of work, against 5.3% statewide.
  • Higher poverty. 29% of people live below the poverty line, against 14% across Texas.
  • Errands mean a drive. Compared with similar Texas places, fewer homes here are within a mile of a grocery store, pharmacy, park or clinic.

Who Port Arthur suits

  • FamiliesNot the best fit: 26% of rated schools earn an A or B and violent crime is 54% higher than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 3% for families.
  • Young professionalsNot the best fit: household income is 41% lower than the Texas median, with 219 restaurants and 6 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 1% for young professionals.
  • RetireesNot the best fit: 27% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 54% higher than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 2% for retirees.
  • Remote workersNot the best fit: 88% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $1,021 is 27% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 6% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $1,021 is 27% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 51% for people on a budget.

Port Arthur report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Port Arthur with other US cities of 50,000+ people. Schools, safety and errands compare it with other Texas cities of 50,000+ people.

  • Cost of living: grade B+

    Median rent $1,021, homes cost 2.3x income.

    79 of 100 vs US cities

  • Jobs and income: grade F

    Median household income $46,354, 8.4% unemployed.

    2 of 100 vs US cities

  • Schools: grade F

    19 rated campuses, 26% rated A or B.

    1 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Safety: grade D+

    596 violent crimes per 100k, 1,333 property crimes per 100k.

    24 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Errands and things to do: grade F

    23 grocery stores, 219 restaurants, 34 parks mapped in town.

    3 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Getting around: grade D+

    Average commute 23 min, 1.0% work from home.

    30 of 100 vs US cities

  • Education levels: grade F

    13% have a bachelor’s degree.

    4 of 100 vs US cities

  • Health: grade F

    27% of adults uninsured.

    0 of 100 vs US cities

  • Home ownership: grade D

    58% of homes owner-occupied.

    21 of 100 vs US cities

  • Internet access: grade D-

    88% of homes have broadband.

    14 of 100 vs US cities

Where Port Arthur stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Home value to income: 2.3x36% lower than Texas (3.6x)
  • Median rent: $1,02127% lower than Texas ($1,403)
  • Average commute: 23 min12% lower than Texas (27 min)

Worse than Texas

  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 13%21 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • Median household income: $46,35441% lower than Texas ($78,476)
  • People below the poverty line: 29%15 points higher than Texas (14%)

Cost of living in Port Arthur

Rent is the cost most newcomers feel first. The median rent in Port Arthur is $1,021 a month, 27% lower than the Texas median of $1,403. To keep that rent at 30% of income, a household needs to earn about $41,000 a year. Right now 58% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $986 for a one-bedroom, $1,218 for a two-bedroom and $1,588 for a three-bedroom (fiscal year 2027). These figures include utilities and describe a modest unit, so newer apartments often ask for more.

The median home is worth $107,400, 62% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $588 before tax, or $715 with property tax. That is close to the median rent, so buying can make sense if you plan to stay.

Texas has no state income tax, but it leans on property taxes instead, though they are lighter here than in much of the state. The median homeowner in Port Arthur pays $1,521 a year, 64% lower than the Texas median of $4,232. Budget for it, along with homeowners insurance, which our numbers do not include.

See the full cost of living breakdown for Port Arthur

Typical rent by apartment size

Fair market rent by bedroom count in Port ArthurStudio$9801 bedroom$9862 bedrooms$1,2183 bedrooms$1,5884 bedrooms$1,944
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX MSA. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent27% lower than Texas$1,021$1,403$1,413
Median home value62% lower than Texas$107,400$283,800$332,700
Home value to income36% lower than Texas2.3x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent6 points higher than Texas58%52%51%
Median property tax per year64% lower than Texas$1,521$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them5 points lower than Texas58%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas197619921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$715
Mortgage payment
$588
Property tax
$127
Median rent, for comparison
$1,021

Based on a $107,400 home in Port Arthur, 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28% (Freddie Mac average, week of 2026-10-01). Property tax is the median paid locally, or the county median where the local figure is not published. Insurance and fees are not included.

Is Port Arthur safe?

In 2025, Port Arthur Police Department reported 332 violent crimes and 743 property crimes. That works out to 596 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 54% higher than the Texas rate of 387, and 1,333 property crimes per 100,000, 36% lower than the state rate.

Violent crime is down about 23% since 2021, based on the yearly rates below.

Crime rates describe the whole area a police department covers. Some streets are much quieter than the average and some are busier, so look at the neighborhood grades and visit at different times of day.

Violent crimes per 100,000 people in Port Arthur by yearTexas59620212022202320242025

Violent crimes per 100,000 people by year. The dashed line is the Texas rate for 2025.

Violent crime
596
per 100k, Texas 387
Property crime
1,333
per 100k, Texas 2,086
Property crimes per 100,000 people in Port Arthur by yearTexas1,33320212022202320242025

Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.

Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Port Arthur Police Department, 2025. Rates count reported crimes only and cover the area this police department serves.

Schools in Port Arthur

Port Arthur has 19 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 26% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Bob Hope School, Port Arthur ISD and Sabine Pass ISD.

Top-rated campuses include Bob Hope High School and Bob Hope School. The average rating score across all campuses is 70 out of 100, against a Texas median of 81.

Texas districts usually assign students by attendance zone rather than the closest campus, so check the zone for a specific address with the district before you sign a lease or buy.

Schools grade
1
of 100 vs Texas cities
Average rating
70
Texas median 81

Ratings are the 2025 Texas Education Agency A to F accountability ratings. Always check which school serves a specific address with the district.

Top-rated schools

  • ABob Hope High SchoolHigh, Bob Hope School94 of 100
  • ABob Hope SchoolMiddle, Bob Hope School92 of 100
  • BBob Hope School - El CampusElementary, Bob Hope School87 of 100
  • BHouston ElementaryElementary, Port Arthur ISD87 of 100
  • BSabine Pass SchoolOther, Sabine Pass ISD86 of 100

Best neighborhoods in Port Arthur

We grade 3 areas inside Port Arthur. The top three are Northwest Port Arthur (D-), North Port Arthur (D-) and West Port Arthur (F). Use the map to color the city by any grade, or the sliders to rank areas by what you care about.

Loading map
    All 3 Port Arthur neighborhoods, A to Z

    Daily life in Port Arthur

    Everyday places mapped inside Port Arthur, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Walter Umphrey Pier, Golden Triangle Veterans Memorial Park, Gates Memorial Library.

    The average one-way commute is 23 minutes, 12% shorter than the Texas average. 1% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.

    Downtown Beaumont is about 21 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Port Arthur work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

    The median household income is $46,354, income per person is $26,496, unemployment is 8.4% and 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

    Grocery stores
    23
    Pharmacies
    9
    Restaurants
    219
    Cafes
    6
    Bars
    27
    Parks
    34
    Gyms
    5
    Hospitals and urgent care
    9
    Childcare
    6
    Libraries
    3

    Jobs, income and education

    MeasureHereTexasUS
    Median household income41% lower than Texas$46,354$78,476$80,734
    Income per person35% lower than Texas$26,496$40,752$44,673
    Unemployment rate3 points higher than Texas8.4%5.3%5.2%
    People below the poverty line15 points higher than Texas29%14%12%
    Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher21 points lower than Texas13%34%36%
    Adults with a high school diploma or higher7 points lower than Texas79%86%90%
    Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance7 points higher than Texas27%20%11%
    Homes with broadband internet3 points lower than Texas88%91%91%

    Getting to work

    MeasureHereTexasUS
    Average commute12% lower than Texas23 min27 min26 min
    Workers who work from home13 points lower than Texas1.0%14%15%
    Workers who work from home1.0%
    Workers who take transit0.6%
    Workers who walk0.8%
    Workers who bike0.2%

    Who lives in Port Arthur

    Under 1827%
    18 to 3422%
    35 to 6436%
    65 and over15%

    Median age 35.5 years. 36% of households have children.

    Race and ethnicity
    White16%
    Hispanic or Latino36%
    Black42%
    Asian4.5%
    Other or more than one race1.4%

    Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.

    Weather in Port Arthur

    Port Arthur has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 93°F and January lows about 44°F. There are about 93 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 62 inches of rain a year.

    Average monthly high and low temperatures in Port Arthur40°60°80°100°64J67F73M79A86M91J93J93A90S82O72N66DRain

    Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Port Arthur Se Tx Ap, 9 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.

    Natural hazard risk

    FEMA's National Risk Index says river flooding risk is low, coastal flooding risk is low, hurricane risk is very high, tornado risk is very high and hail risk is low. Even in lower-risk areas, check the FEMA flood map for the exact address before you buy.

    • River floodingLow
    • Coastal floodingLow
    • HurricanesVery high
    • TornadoesVery high
    • HailLow
    • Heat wavesModerate
    • WildfiresModerate
    • Winter stormsLow
    • Strong windModerate

    Source: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025, Census tract level averaged for the city. Check the FEMA flood map for any address before you buy.

    Places near Port Arthur

    Nearby, Groves gets a B, Port Neches gets an A- and Nederland gets an A-. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.

    1. BGrovesSmall city, 16,976 people6 mi
    2. A-Port NechesSmall city, 13,664 people8 mi
    3. A-NederlandSmall city, 18,381 people10 mi
    4. A+Beauxart GardensTown, 1,276 people10 mi
    5. ACentral GardensTown, 3,976 people11 mi
    6. BBridge CityTown, 9,640 people13 mi

    Port Arthur in the Beaumont area

    How it ranks among 23 places in the metro.

    1. 1A+Hamshire1,388 people19 mito downtown
    2. 2A+Beauxart Gardens1,276 people11 mito downtown
    3. 3ACentral Gardens3,976 people10 mito downtown
    4. 20D-Pinehurst1,999 people22 mito downtown
    5. 21D-Orange19,177 people23 mito downtown
    6. 22FBeaumont113,279 people0 mito downtown
    7. 23FPort Arthur55,828 people21 mito downtown

    See all of the best suburbs of beaumont

    Living in Port Arthur: common questions

    Is Port Arthur, TX a good place to live?

    We give Port Arthur an F. It ranks 75th of 75 Texas cities of 50,000+ people. It does best on cost of living and getting around, and trails on health and schools.

    How much does it cost to live in Port Arthur?

    Median rent in Port Arthur is $1,021 a month, 27% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $107,400, 62% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 2.3x the median household income, compared with 3.6x across Texas. With 20% down at a 7.28% rate, the monthly payment on a median home is about $715, including property tax.

    Is Port Arthur safe?

    In 2025, Port Arthur Police Department reported 596 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 54% higher than the Texas rate. Property crime was 1,333 per 100,000, 36% lower than the Texas rate.

    Are the schools good in Port Arthur?

    We found 19 rated public school campuses inside Port Arthur. 26% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 1 of 100 compared with other Texas cities of 50,000+ people.

    What are the best neighborhoods in Port Arthur?

    Based on our scores, the top-rated areas in Port Arthur are Northwest Port Arthur, North Port Arthur and West Port Arthur. We score 3 areas in the city.

    Does Port Arthur flood?

    FEMA rates river flooding risk in Port Arthur as low, and coastal flooding as low. Hazards rated high or very high here: hurricanes and tornadoes. Always check the flood map for a specific address before you buy.

    What is the weather like in Port Arthur?

    Summers in Port Arthur peak at about 93°F in July, and January nights fall to about 44°F. Expect around 93 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 62 inches of rain.

    How long is the commute in Port Arthur?

    The average one-way commute is 23 min, 12% lower than the Texas average. About 1.0% of workers work from home. It is about 21 miles from downtown Beaumont.

    Sources: US Census Bureau 2020-2024 ACS 5-year and 2025 population estimates, CDC PLACES 2025, Texas Education Agency 2025 ratings, FBI Crime Data Explorer, FEMA National Risk Index, NOAA climate normals, HUD fair market rents, Overture Maps. Updated 2026-10-04. How we grade.