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Houston Cost of Living 💰 | [2026] Average Cost of Living in Houston TX
Last Updated On: 18th June 2026, 06:25 am
Thinking about moving to Houston Texas? With its booming job market, rich cultural scene, and friendly people, it’s no wonder so many people are drawn to this captivating city. But before you make the big move, it’s smart to dive into one key factor: the average cost of living in Houston TX. After all, knowing what to expect can make the relocation process a whole lot easier!
So, how much does it cost to live in Houston? As one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the United States, Houston offers a great mix of affordability and big-city living. From housing costs that vary by neighborhood to public transport options that help you get around without breaking the bank, the cost of living in Houston TX can be affordable for many. In this guide, we’ll break down the Houston cost of living and provide you with the average costs you can expect when living in the area.
What is the cost of living in Houston Texas? The best way to assess the average cost of living in Houston TX is to take a look at the Cost of Living Index, or COLI. The Cost of Living Index compares the cost of goods and services in a city to the national average.
The Houston Cost of Living Index is 94.1, meaning that the cost of living in Houston TX is 5.9% more affordable than the national average of 100. It’s also just slightly lower than the Texas Cost of Living Index, which is 94.2. Housing, transportation, and health care in Houston are all below the national average, while utilities are higher.
Consumer Price Index (CPI)
Is Houston expensive? Another way to calculate the cost of living in Houston TX is to check out the Consumer Price Index. The Consumer Price Index, or CPI, is a monthly report published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and reports the average change in prices that residents are paying for goods and services.
Over the past year, the Consumer Price Index rose 1.7%, driving up the cost of living in Houston TX. Food prices increased the most at 2.6%, while energy prices declined 6.8%. Although the yearly CPI rose 1.7%, the CPI only increased 0.7% over the past two months.
Consumer Expenditure Survey
Another good way to measure the cost of living in Houston TX is the Consumer Expenditure Survey. This survey is conducted by the Census Bureau and is often used to help calculate the Consumer Price Index. According to the latest survey, households in the Houston area spent an average of $73,772 per year. This is only slightly above the national average of $70,052.
Here’s a breakdown of the average expenditures among Houston residents:
Housing: 33.6% of yearly income (compared to national average of 33.5%)
Transportation: 18.5% of yearly income (compared to national average of 16.6%)
Cash contributions: 10.7% of yearly income (compared to national average of 3.7%)
Personal insurance and pensions: 9.5% of yearly income (compared to national average of 11.9%)
Food: 9.3% of yearly income (compared to national average of 12.6%)
Healthcare: 7.1% of yearly income (compared to national average of 8.1%)
Entertainment: 3.4% of yearly income (compared to national average of 5.0%)
Education: 1.9% of yearly income (compared to national average of 1.8%)
Based on the data above, you can see that the cost of living in Houston TX is above the national average when it comes to housing, transportation, cash contributions, and education. Personal insurance and pensions, food, healthcare, and entertainment costs are all below the national average.
Family Budget in Houston
Are you curious about whether or not the cost of living in Houston TX is affordable for you and your family? According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four living in the area would need to earn $95,093 per year ($7,924 per month) to live comfortably in Houston. Here’s how these Houston living expenses break down:
Child care: $1,469
Transportation: $1,439
Housing: $1,307
Healthcare: $1,279
Food: $909
Taxes: $737
Other necessities: $785
Of course, your average cost of living in Houston TX may vary based on your family size and lifestyle. For example, if you are a single person or have no children, you can save almost $18,000 on childcare every year. Additionally, if you utilize public transportation, then you will save money on transportation costs associated with things like gas and car insurance.
Cost of Household Items, Utilities, Gas & Groceries in Houston
Is Houston affordable? Small everyday expenses make up a large part of the cost of living in Houston TX. This includes things like food costs, gas prices, and movie tickets. Here are a few expenses that contribute to the cost of living in Houston TX.
Car insurance also influences the cost of living in Houston TX. According to CarInsurance.com, the average car insurance in Houston is about $63 per month. Additionally, the average cost of utilities in Houston TX is $191.84.
Houston Real Estate Market
Are you curious about the Houston housing market? Housing contributes significantly to the cost of living in Houston TX. There are plenty of great Houston homes for sale, and housing costs are quite affordable. According to Redfin, the median home price in Houston is $353,000. The overall cost of housing is lower in Houston compared to many other US cities.
The average home price in Houston is lower than the national average of $428,000. The Houston average home price is also lower than other cities in Texas such as Austin ($554,000) and Dallas ($411,000).
In terms of housing, the Houston cost of living varies depending on where you are living. 55+ communities in Houston are often a bit more expensive as you get to enjoy additional amenities. Also, some neighborhoods in Houston are more expensive than others. Your cost of living in Houston TX may go up in more expensive neighborhoods in the city center like Downtown Houston and Houston Heights.
Of the 897,510 households in Houston, 42% are owner-occupied, and 58% are renter-occupied.
Houston Rental Market - Average Rent in Houston
If you’re a renter, then your cost of living in Houston TX may look different than if you are purchasing a home. So, what is the average apartment rent in Houston? According to RentCafe, the average Houston rent is $1,353. Rent prices in Houston are well below the national average of $1,728.
The most affordable neighborhoods for renters in Houston include South Park (monthly rent of $789) and Kashmere Gardens (monthly rent of $877). On the other hand, you’ll have the highest Houston rent in neighborhoods like Downtown Houston (monthly rent of $2,177) and Afton Oaks (monthly rent of $2,192).
How does the cost of living in Houston TX compare to other Texas cities? Here’s a comparison of rent in Houston Texas compared to other popular cities in Texas.
Houston: $1,353
Dallas: $1,571
Austin: $1,703
San Antonio: $1,285
Fort Worth: $1,447
Irving: $1,508
According to the National Low Income Coalition’s Out of Reach Report, you would need to earn $26.10 per hour ($54,280 per year) to afford a two-bedroom apartment in Houston without spending more than 30% of your income on housing. This number is lower than the Texas average of $27.88 per hour ($57,980 per year).
When assessing the cost of living in Houston TX, you may be wondering whether it’s more affordable to buy or rent. According to the 2022 Rental Affordability Report, it’s more affordable to buy than to rent in Houston. When considering whether you want to rent or buy, you should think about the price-to-rent ratio. The higher the price-to-rent ratio, the better the area is for renters. The lower the ratio, the better the city is for buyers.
The calculation for the price-to-rent ratio is the median annual rent divided by the median home price. Here’s how Houston’s numbers plug into this equation.
$353,000 / $16,236 = 21.7
This is a lower price-to-rent ratio, meaning that Houston is better for buyers.
The cost of living in Houston TX is also influenced by your salary and household income. The average income in Houston is $60,440, which is lower than the Texas average of $73,035. According to Payscale, the average salary in Houston is $81,000. Texas currently has a minimum wage of $7.25.
The cost of living in Houston TX can be easily navigated by getting a job in the city. The Houston job market is thriving and is recognized worldwide for its energy industry. There are several Fortune 500 companies based in Houston, such as Sysco, Kinder Morgan, Baker Hughes, and Calpine.
Here are a few of the salaries for common occupations in Houston:
Animal caretakers: $31,680
Retail salespersons: $33,760
Healthcare support workers: $46,920
Middle school teachers: $65,680
Environmental scientists: $89,390
Electrical engineers: $115,250
Mechanical engineers: $125,250
Pharmacists: $137,040
Psychiatrists: $175,860
Income, Sales & Property Taxes in Houston
When considering the cost of living in Houston TX, it’s important to consider the taxes you’ll be paying when living in the area.
Texas Income Tax Rate
Luckily, your cost of living in Houston TX will not be impacted by income taxes, because Texas does not have an individual income tax!
Sales Tax in Houston
However, the cost of living in Houston TX will be impacted by sales tax. The Houston sales tax rate is 8.25%. Here’s how the Houston sales tax rate is calculated:
Texas: 6.25%
Houston: 1.0%
Houston Mta Transit: 1.0%
Total rate: 8.25%
Houston Property Tax
Houston Texas property tax is handled by the Harris County Tax Office. The Harris Central Appraisal District establishes taxable values, which are then sent to the tax office. Then, the governing body of each taxing unit, the Commissioners Court for the County, sets the rates for Houston property taxes.
Houston vs. Portland Cost of Living
Many people move to Houston from major cities and areas like the San Francisco Bay Area, New York, and Portland.
Are you thinking about moving from Portland to Houston or trying to decide between Portland and Houston? If you’re in one of these situations, then you’ll want to compare the cost of living in Portland to the cost of living in Houston TX. The Cost of Living Index in Portland is 120.2. This is 20.2% more expensive than the national average and 26.1% more affordable than the Houston TX Cost of Living Index.
Therefore, the cost of living in Houston TX is far more affordable than the cost of living in Portland. Here are a few comparisons of Portland and Houston.
Average home price: $353,000 in Houston vs. $501,574 in Portland
Average rent: $1,353 in Houston vs. $1,754 in Portland
Average utilities: $191.84 in Houston vs. $227.04 in Portland
Average salary: $81,000 in Houston vs. $80,000 in Portland
Average monthly expenses: $7,924 in Houston vs. $10,076 in Portland
As you can see, the cost of living in Houston TX is far more affordable than the cost of living in Portland.
Now that you know all about the cost of living in Houston TX, are you ready to move to the area? The Houston cost of living is quite affordable, making this a wonderful city to settle down in. If living in Houston sounds great to you, then get in touch with PDX Movers. Give our reliable Houston movers a call today at (346) 326-1141 for a free quote.
Mike Devenport
Mike Devenport is a veteran of the West Coast moving industry and the owner of PDX Movers. Since founding the company in 2008, he has overseen thousands of successful residential and commercial relocations. Mike’s insights are built on years of solving complex logistical challenges across the Pacific Northwest, with a mission to make moving a stress-free experience for every Oregonian.
