In Port Isabel, a typical home is worth $182,600 and typical rent is $748 a month. Compared with all of Cameron County, the typical home value is 34% higher, typical rent is 18% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 5 points lower.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $205,490 to $263,288.
Typical rent
$1,993a month
From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Port Isabel is in Cameron County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Cameron County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
Nearby, in Cameron Park, the typical home value is $74,800: 59% less than in Port Isabel ($182,600).
2
Port Isabel has the 8th lowest typical rent of the 413 cities in Texas with more than 5,000 people ($748).
3
The typical home in Port Isabel is worth $182,600,34% more than in Cameron County as a whole ($136,500).
4
According to Zillow, in the 12 months to September 2026 the typical home value in Port Isabel rose 2.6%; in Texas, it fell 1.4%.
5
60% of households in Port Isabel own their home, against 65% in Cameron County.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024); Zillow (September 2026 data). Zillow data
The homes here
Housing in Port Isabel
What homes there are in Port Isabel, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).
What homes there are
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Kind of home
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Port Isabel
Cameron County
Texas
United States
Kind of home: Port Isabel and its comparisons
Measure
Port Isabel
Cameron County
Texas
United States
Detached house
42%
65%
64%
61%
Attached house
Unreliable estimate
3%
3%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
Unreliable estimate
8%
5%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
Unreliable estimate
14%
21%
19%
Mobile home
29%
11%
6%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
0%
Homes in Port Isabel are varied: detached houses are the largest group, at 42%, against 65% in Cameron County.
Mobile homes are 29% of homes in Port Isabel, more than in Cameron County (11%).
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or laterUnreliable estimate
Port Isabel
Cameron County
Texas
United States
Year built: Port Isabel and its comparisons
Measure
Port Isabel
Cameron County
Texas
United States
Before 1960
Unreliable estimate
10%
12%
26%
1960–1979
37%
20%
21%
24%
1980–1999
34%
32%
28%
25%
2000–2009
11%
21%
18%
14%
2010 or later
9%
16%
21%
11%
Homes in Port Isabel are older: the typical year built is 1982; in Cameron County, 1992.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Unreliable estimate
Under $100K33%
$100K–$200KUnreliable
$200K–$300K24%
$300K–$500KUnreliable
$500K–$750KUnreliable
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Port Isabel and its comparisons
Measure
Port Isabel
Under $100K
33%
$100K–$200K
Unreliable estimate
$200K–$300K
24%
$300K–$500K
Unreliable estimate
$500K–$750K
Unreliable estimate
$750K–$1M
Unreliable
$1M or more
Unreliable
Monthly rent with utilities
Unreliable estimate
Under $500Unreliable
$500–$99964%
$1,000–$1,499Unreliable
$1,500–$1,999Unreliable
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Port Isabel and its comparisons
Measure
Port Isabel
Under $500
Unreliable estimate
$500–$999
64%
$1,000–$1,499
Unreliable estimate
$1,500–$1,999
Unreliable estimate
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable
$3,000 or more
Unreliable
With a mortgage
$1,286 a month
Cameron County: $1,449 a month
Without a mortgage
$582 a month
Cameron County: $481 a month
Owners with a mortgage
36%
Cameron County: 39%
Owning costs less in Port Isabel: with a mortgage, the typical cost is $1,286 a month; in Cameron County, $1,449. Without one, $582.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Port Isabel+68%
Cameron County+59%
Texas+65%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Port IsabelNo clear change
Cameron County+24%
Texas+34%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Port IsabelUnreliable
Cameron County+36%
Texas+27%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Port Isabel and its comparisons
Measure
Port Isabel
Cameron County
Texas
United States
Typical home value
+68%
+59%
+65%
+53%
Typical rent
No clear change
+24%
+34%
+33%
Typical household income
Unreliable estimate
+36%
+27%
+29%
From 2015–2019 to 2020–2024, the typical home value in Port Isabel rose 68%; in Cameron County, it rose 59%.
Rent in Port Isabel moved so little since 2015–2019 that the Census cannot say whether it rose or fell.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Port Isabel and its comparisons
Measure
Port Isabel
Cameron County
Texas
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
5.5%
7.7%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
1.4%
1.1%
0.9%
More than one person per room
Unreliable estimate
9.9%
4.8%
3.4%
People per household
2.47
3.05
2.69
2.53
Drive alone
70%
76%
71%
69%
Carpool
Unreliable estimate
12%
10%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
0%
1%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
2%
2%
3%
Work from home
Unreliable estimate
9%
14%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
1%
2%
2%
Typical commute
10 to 19 minutes
Unreliable estimate
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
On average, a household in Port Isabel has 2.47 people, fewer than in Cameron County (3.05).
In Port Isabel, 70% of workers drive alone to work; in Cameron County, 76%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Port Isabel?
The Census Bureau publishes no typical home value or typical household income for Port Isabel, so we don't measure how heavy the payment is. Enter your own numbers in the calculator. The calculator starts with the typical home value in Port Isabel: $182,600. The rate is Freddie Mac’s weekly average (7.18%, November 5, 2026); yours may be different. The FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Cameron County. Change the price, the down payment or the loan type and see how your payment changes.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Cameron County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Port Isabel. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $6,391 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$1,600
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$179,293
Total interest
$257,960
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $3,084 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Type your income to see which tier this payment lands in.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$1,215
Property tax
$228
Home insurance
$76
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$81
You need at least $6,391 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $1,600; principal and interest $1,215.
The city and its county
Port Isabel and Cameron County
Port Isabel is in Cameron County, Texas. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
Port Isabel
Map of Cameron County, Texas, with Port Isabel marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Port Isabel
Cameron County
Other cities with a page
Port Isabel's own numbers
Typical home value
$182,600
Typical monthly rent
$748
Households that own their home
60%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Cameron County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,042
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+55%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
9.5%
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Cameron County.
A typical home in Port Isabel is worth $182,600: 34% above the county and 36% below Texas.
How prices have changed in Cameron County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Cameron County rose 81% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Cameron County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Cameron County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +0.6% +0.6% 2016
2017: +3.6% +3.6% 2017
2018: +2.2% +2.2% 2018
2019: +4.8% +4.8% 2019
2020: +4.7% +4.7% 2020
2021: +12.0% +12.0% 2021
2022: +18.5% +18.5% 2022
2023: +11.8% +11.8% 2023
2024: +4.4% +4.4% 2024
2025: +0.1% +0.1% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Cameron County, Texas and the United States
Period
County
Texas
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+0.1%
+0.8%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+55%
+44%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+81%
+88%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
Port Isabel next to Cameron County, Texas and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
Port Isabel$182,600
Cameron$136,500
Texas$283,800
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Port Isabel$748
Cameron$912
Texas$1,403
United States$1,413
See the full table
Port Isabel next to Cameron County and Texas
Measure
Port Isabel
Cameron County
Texas
U.S.
Typical home value
$182,600 ▲34% above the county
$136,500
$283,800
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$748 ▼18% below the county
$912
$1,403
$1,413
Households that own their home
60% ▼5 points below the county
65%
63%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$2,833 ▲39% above the county
$2,042
$4,232
$3,119
Renters with high rent for their income
59% ▲9 points above the county
50%
52%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Cameron County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Port Isabel
For a typical $182,600 home in Port Isabel, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies. It leaves out property tax because the Census Bureau doesn't publish Port Isabel's rate.
FHA, 3.5% down$1,371a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$6,391
Cash to close
$11,869
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $81
Conventional, 5% down$1,338a month
Down payment
$9,130
Cash to close
$14,608
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $87
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$1,066a month
Down payment
$36,520
Cash to close
$41,998
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$1,234a month
Down payment
$27,390
Cash to close
$32,868
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Port Isabel
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$1,371
$6,391
$179,293
7.18%
FHA MIP · $81
$11,869
580
Conventional, 5% down
$1,338
$9,130
$173,470
7.18%
PMI · $87
$14,608
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$1,066
$36,520
$146,080
7.18%
None
$41,998
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$1,234
$27,390
$155,210
8.18%
None
$32,868
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Typical rent in Port Isabel is $748 a month: 18% below the county. In Port Isabel, 59% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Cameron County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,042 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $20.04 an hour working full time.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in Cameron County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$827
$15.90
$33,080
1 bedroom
$884
$17.00
$35,360
2 bedrooms
$1,042
$20.04
$41,680
3 bedrooms
$1,393
$26.79
$55,720
4 bedrooms
$1,496
$28.77
$59,840
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in Port Isabel
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Port Isabel is in ZIP code 78578.
For 2 bedrooms it is $1,010: $32 less than the fair market rent for Cameron County ($1,042).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Port Isabel, fiscal year 2027.
ZIP code
Studio
1 bd
2 bd
3 bd
4 bd
78578
$800
$860
$1,010
$1,370
$1,470
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
78578 $1,010$1,370
1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Port Isabel when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)Fiscal year 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
HUD lists 4 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Port Isabel. These are the largest.
Beacon Bay Townhomes306 Beacon Bay Dr, Port Isabel 78578120 low-income homes · In service since 2002
Villa del Mar506 Port Rd, Port Isabel 7857880 low-income homes · Run by Port Isabel Housing Authority · Average payment: $445 a month · Average wait: 8 months(956) 943-2863
Artisan at Port Isabel106 Port Rd, Port Isabel 7857873 low-income homes · In service since 2012
Villa Madre Apartments200 E Railroad Ave, Port Isabel 7857852 low-income homes · For families(956) 943-2972
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
There is 1 HUD-approved agency with an office in Cameron County; 1 says it serves in Spanish.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Port Isabel or Cameron County. The ones below are statewide in Texas: they work in Port Isabel the same as in the rest of the state.
Texas state program for first-time buyers: a 30-year mortgage with down payment assistance.Offered by Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA).
Texas state program with down payment assistance for any buyer, not only first-time buyers.Offered by Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA).
Texas state certificate that turns part of your mortgage interest into a credit on your federal tax return.Offered by Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA).
No legal help resource on our list is for Port Isabel or Cameron County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Port Isabel and all of Cameron County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in Port Isabel?
The typical home value in Port Isabel is $182,600, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Cameron County it is $136,500.
How much does it cost to rent in Port Isabel?
Typical rent in Port Isabel is $748 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Cameron County is $1,042.
What is the FHA loan limit in Port Isabel?
Port Isabel uses the FHA limit for all of Cameron County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in Port Isabel?
The typical homeowner in Port Isabel pays $2,833 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is Data not available for this place of the home’s value; in Cameron County, the rate is 1.5%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Port Isabel?
There is 1 HUD-approved counseling agency with an office in Cameron County. 1 says it serves in Spanish. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
