Cost of Living in Alvarado, TX

Population 5,424 · Texas · Data vintage 2023

67
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Housing costs in Alvarado stay well under national norms: a median home value of $207,000 against median household incomes of $71,296 gives the city one of the more comfortable price-to-income ratios in Texas.

Alvarado sits roughly 20 miles south of Arlington — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 25% lower than Arlington's $276,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 68
Rent 65

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Alvarado

The median home value in Alvarado is $206,800 — 32% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $854/month, 35% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $71,296/year is 4% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.1%, below the national average of 4.8%. Texas charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. The climate averages highs of 77.4°F and lows of 56.3°F. Overall, Alvarado has a cost of living index of 67 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 33% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$206,800
32% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$188,906
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$854/mo
35% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.2x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
1.7%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$766
1 BR
$811
2 BR
$981
3 BR
$1,307
4 BR
$1,509
Owner-occupied 64.2%
Renter-occupied 35.8%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$854
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,468/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
32.9 min
22% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
1.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
86.6%
Carpooled
8.4%
Walked
1.0%
Work from home
1.4%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) None
Total Sales Tax 8.2%
State rate 6.3%
Avg local rate 1.9%
Property Tax 1.7%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$71,296
4% below avg
Per Capita Income
$27,740
Unemployment Rate
3.1%
35% below avg
Poverty Rate
10.3%
Labor Force Participation
59.4%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 6.9%
Graduate degree 2.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 32.8
Male median age 36.3
Female median age 29.1

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
77.4°F
Avg Low
56.3°F
Annual Precip
36.2"
30° 48° 65° 83° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 586270778492969689796759
Low °F 374048556472757568574639
Precip" 2.342.633.373.134.333.541.701.683.324.722.622.81

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 38 — Good
78.2%
Good air days/yr
126
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
362
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Alvarado, TX?

Alvarado has a cost index of 67 (100 = national average). It is 33% below the national average.

What is average rent in Alvarado, TX?

The median gross rent in Alvarado is $854 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Alvarado?

The median home value in Alvarado is $206,800 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Alvarado?

The median household income in Alvarado is $71,296 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Alvarado, TX?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Alvarado is 8.2%. Texas has no state income tax.

Is Alvarado, TX affordable?

Yes, Alvarado is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 67 — about 33% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Alvarado?

Alvarado has average high temperatures of 77.4°F and average lows of 56.3°F. Annual precipitation is 36.2". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Alvarado at a Glance

Population
5,424
Median Income
$71,296
Home Value
$206,800
Median Rent
$854/mo
Unemployment
3.1%
Avg High Temp
77.4°F
Sales Tax
8.2%
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