Cost of Living in Penitas, TX

Population 6,355 · Texas · Data vintage 2023

54
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Penitas is a smaller Texas community of around 6000 residents, where median household incomes of $52,857 and housing costs ($175,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 6.5% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Geographically, Penitas sits roughly 12 miles west of McAllen. Housing prices track closely with McAllen's $174,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 57
Rent 48

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

About the Cost of Living in Penitas

The median home value in Penitas is $175,100 — 43% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $631/month, 52% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $52,857/year is 29% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.5%, 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, Penitas has a cost of living index of 54 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 46% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$175,100
43% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$165,552
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$631/mo
52% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.1x
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 82.5%
Renter-occupied 17.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$631
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,245/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
25.6 min
5% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
8.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
76.7%
Carpooled
13.2%
Walked
0.4%
Work from home
8.3%

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
$52,857
29% below avg
Per Capita Income
$17,964
Unemployment Rate
6.5%
35% above avg
Poverty Rate
28.3%
Labor Force Participation
55.4%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 5.6%
Graduate degree 3.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 30.2
Male median age 30.6
Female median age 29.3

🌤 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 Penitas, TX?

Penitas has a cost index of 54 (100 = national average). It is 46% below the national average.

What is average rent in Penitas, TX?

The median gross rent in Penitas is $631 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Penitas?

The median home value in Penitas is $175,100 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Penitas?

The median household income in Penitas is $52,857 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Penitas, TX?

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

Is Penitas, TX affordable?

Yes, Penitas is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 54 — about 46% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Penitas?

Penitas 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.

Penitas at a Glance

Population
6,355
Median Income
$52,857
Home Value
$175,100
Median Rent
$631/mo
Unemployment
6.5%
Avg High Temp
87.3°F
Sales Tax
8.2%
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