Cost of Living in La Joya, TX

Population 4,613 · Texas · Data vintage 2023

45
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

La Joya sits on the smaller end of the Texas city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. A poverty rate near 27% adds context to the income figures — well above the US average, and worth factoring into any comparison with cities on the coasts or in the Rockies.

La Joya sits roughly 14 miles west of McAllen — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 37% lower than McAllen's $174,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 36
Rent 59

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

About the Cost of Living in La Joya

The median home value in La Joya is $109,600 — 64% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $781/month, 41% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $50,652/year is 32% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 7.3%, above the national average of 4.8%. Texas charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. The climate averages highs of 87.3°F and lows of 67.4°F. Overall, La Joya has a cost of living index of 45 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 55% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$109,600
64% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$356,500
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$781/mo
41% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.7x
Favors buying
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 52.6%
Renter-occupied 47.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$781
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,395/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
21.9 min
19% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
7.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
84.9%
Carpooled
6.2%
Work from home
7.8%

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
$50,652
32% below avg
Per Capita Income
$19,504
Unemployment Rate
7.3%
52% above avg
Poverty Rate
27.1%
Labor Force Participation
61.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 12.1%
Graduate degree 7.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 29.4
Male median age 31
Female median age 27.4

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
87.3°F
Avg Low
67.4°F
Annual Precip
22.2"
50° 63° 75° 88° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 7377838893979910094898074
Low °F 535763687478797976696054
Precip" 0.770.721.381.432.033.052.031.814.612.101.171.06

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 44 — Good
57.7%
Good air days/yr
95
Max AQI recorded
338
PM2.5 days
19
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in La Joya, TX?

La Joya has a cost index of 45 (100 = national average). It is 55% below the national average.

What is average rent in La Joya, TX?

The median gross rent in La Joya is $781 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in La Joya?

The median home value in La Joya is $109,600 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in La Joya?

The median household income in La Joya is $50,652 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in La Joya, TX?

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

Is La Joya, TX affordable?

Yes, La Joya is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 45 — about 55% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in La Joya?

La Joya has average high temperatures of 87.3°F and average lows of 67.4°F. Annual precipitation is 22.2". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

La Joya at a Glance

Population
4,613
Median Income
$50,652
Home Value
$109,600
Median Rent
$781/mo
Unemployment
7.3%
Avg High Temp
87.3°F
Sales Tax
8.2%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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