Living in Houston Texas is unbelievable! The Karankawa and Atakapa people inhabited the area for thousands of years until the late 1700s. Most of the Karankawa and Atakapa died due to foreign diseases, and the survivors left the area. The area was uninhabited for the next few decades.
In 1836, Augustus Chapman Allen and John Kirby Allen bought a large tract of land and started building a town. They called the town Houston after Sam Houston, a prominent figure in the Texas Revolution. People slowly began moving to Houston. The community was incorporated as a city in 1837, briefly became the capital of Texas, and started to expand rapidly. In 1839, Austin became the capital of Texas, and Houston experienced a yellow fever epidemic.
However, Houston rebounded in the 1860s by becoming a railroad hub. For the next 150 years, the city diversified its economy and became prominent in several industries, including space exploration, health care, and oil drilling. Many people living in Houston Texas became wealthy and famous.
Houston's motto is "Houston: The City With No Limits," reflecting its diversity, robust economy, and vibrant social scene. Houston has many nicknames; one popular Houston nickname is "Space City,", which recognizes the city's connections to NASA. What is Houston known for? Houston is well-known for its top attractions, including the Houston Museum of Natural Science and Minute Maid Park.
But is Houston a good place to live? Yes, it's a wonderful place to live, with affordable homes, safe neighborhoods, and great schools. But before you start moving to Houston, you must read about the benefits of living in Houston and moving to Houston tips. Here's what to know about this special city!
Where Is Houston?
Where is Houston, and what county is Houston Texas in? Houston is in three counties: Harris County, Fort Bend County, and Montgomery County. Most of the city is in Harris County, and Houston is the seat for Harris. Houston is the center of the Houston metropolitan area, bordering dozens of communities, including Louetta, Bunker Hill Village, and Mission Bend. It is 165 miles from Houston to Austin and 84 miles from Houston to Beaumont.
Most of the city was built on marshes, swampland, and prairies, so the area is low-lying and flat. The city does not border the Gulf of Mexico, but scientists living in Houston Texas classify it as being on the Gulf Coast. There are no rivers or ponds in the city’s borders; the city gets its water from Lake Houston and other reservoirs at least 15 miles away.
Houston Information
- Houston county: Harris, Fort Bend, and Montgomery
- Houston area: 671.7 square miles
- Houston zip code: 77000-77099, 77200-77299
- Houston area code: 281, 346, 713, 832
- Houston elevation: 80 feet
- Houston time zone: Central Time Zone (UTC -5 and -6)
- Houston airport: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), inside Houston
Houston Population and Demographics
What is the population of Houston? According to the Census Bureau, the population of Houston was 2,304,580. The Houston population rose by 9.8% between 2010 and 2020. Houston is currently the fourth-most populous city in America and the most populous city in Texas and the Southern United States. The population density is 3,598.4 people per square mile, over 30 times higher than the Texas density.
Many famous people have been living in Houston Texas, including George H. W. Bush, George W Bush, Simone Biles, and Beyonce. Houston demographics include:
- 50.3% female, 49.7% male
- Median age for residents living in Houston Texas: 33.9
- Racial and ethnic composition: 44.8% Hispanic or Latino, 40.8% White (23.6% non-Hispanic), 22.4% Black or African American, 14.9% two or more races, 6.9% Asian, 0.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
- Houston median household income: $60,440 (17.2% lower than the Texas median)
- Educational attainment: 79.6% of residents older than 25 have graduated high school, 35.2% have a bachelor's degree
- Foreign-born population of residents living in Houston Texas: 28.9%
Houston is one of the youngest major cities in America. 23.9% of the population is under the age of 18, and 13.4% is under the age of 10. The city is a hub for the Black and African American communities of Texas. Its rate of Black and African American residents is nearly twice the state rate and five percentage points higher than the Houston metro area rate.
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Houston Transportation
One of the biggest benefits of living in Houston is Houston transportation. Most residents living in Houston Texas use their cars for commuting, and Houston has a network of highways and paved roads that make driving easy. Four Interstate highways cut across the city. Interstate 45 (I-45) and Interstate 69 run north to south, while Interstate 10 runs west to east, providing access to San Antonio. Interstate 610 loops around the city center and connects the other three Interstates with state routes. You can easily use your car for long distance moves, including moving from Portland to Houston.
The Houston Metro system is the main public transportation system in the city. Houston Metro offers bus, train, and paratransit services throughout the city and metro area. You can use the Houston Metro system map to see where routes and stops are.
The metro area has three major airports. George Bush Intercontinental Airport is the main international airport in the metro area. William P. Hobby Airport and Ellington Airport are two other airports with domestic and general aviation services.
Cost of Living in Houston TX
When you're weighing the pros and cons of living in Houston, you need to look at the Houston cost of living. What is the cost of living in Houston Texas? The Houston cost of living index is 94.3, meaning items in the Houston metro area cost 5.7% less than the national average. How much does it cost to live in Houston Texas? According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four would need to earn $95,093 a year to cover the cost of living in Houston TX. According to the MIT Living Wage Calculator, a single adult living in Houston Texas without children needs to earn $20.83 an hour to make a living wage. Two adults raising two children each need to earn $24.54 an hour to make a living wage.
So is Houston expensive to live in, or is Houston affordable? The Houston cost of living is affordable. Most jobs pay a living wage, so you can expect to cover your expenses and have an affordable cost of living.
The city has a sales tax rate of 8.25%. The rate for property taxes is currently at .519 cents for every $100 of assessed value, but this rate may change in the next few years. Texas has no state income tax, so you will spend less money on taxes while living in Houston Texas than in other states.
Typical Houston Living Expenses
- 1 gallon of regular milk: $3.53
- 1 pound of white rice: $1.62
- 1 pound of apples: $2.22
- 1 head of lettuce: $1.89
- 1 gallon of gasoline: $2.98
- Average Houston utilities per month: $204.63
- 1 pair of jeans: $51.00
Source: Numbeo
The Houston cost of living index for housing is 83.0, meaning the cost of housing is 17.0% less than the national average. Houston is one of the most affordable major cities for housing, even if you're buying a house for the first time.
Houston Real Estate
Houston real estate is one of the most important things to know before moving to Houston. According to Redfin, the median cost of houses for sale Houston is $331,900, with an average cost per square foot of $180. The median cost of houses for sale Houston is roughly $100,000 lower than the national median. The average home price in Houston for single-family homes is $350,000, while the cost of townhomes is $315,000, and the cost of condos is $164,500.
According to RentCafe, the average rent of Houston apartments is $1,353 a month, nearly $400 lower than the national average. The most affordable neighborhood for renters in Houston is South Park, where the average rent is $789 a month. The most expensive neighborhood for rent in Houston is Fourth Ward, at $2,256 a month. Nearly all neighborhoods in Houston have an average rent of at least $1,000 a month, but you have options in many neighborhoods for very cheap Houston apartments.
In addition to affordable housing, Houston also offers a wide range of accommodations for temporary stays, which can be especially helpful if you're relocating and need a place while searching for a permanent home. Whether you're in town for a job search, house-hunting, or just exploring neighborhoods before committing, you can find a variety of local options through StayAndPlay, which lists hotels across Houston to suit different needs and budgets—including properties near the city’s top golf courses. This makes it easy to enjoy a round while settling in or getting to know the area.
According to the 2022 ATTOM Rental Affordability Report, it is cheaper to buy a home than rent a home in Houston. However, the report found that the price of Houston homes for sale is rising faster than the average rent in Houston, so this may change in the future. If you plan on buying a house while living in Houston Texas, you should do so as soon as possible.
Houston Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Houston
There are dozens of Houston neighborhoods, making finding the best places to live in Houston difficult. Some have a relatively low cost of living with affordable housing, while others are upscale and luxurious. Here's what to know about the best neighborhoods in Houston.
Texas Medical Center | Best Neighborhood in Houston for Health Care
The Texas Medical Center (also known as TMC and Medical Center Area) contains over 60 medical facilities, including 21 hospitals and eight research institutions. It's the largest medical research center in the world, and it also contains some residential areas for living in Houston Texas. The neighborhood is one of the best neighborhoods in Houston TX for renters. You can live in dozens of apartments in and around the Texas Medical Center, including The Daphne, which has one and two-bedroom apartments starting at $925 a month.
Museum District | Best Houston Neighborhood for Museums
The Museum District is the best neighborhood in the Texas city for attractions. The Children's Museum Houston contains dozens of interactive and educational exhibits and is a hub for kid-friendly events throughout the year. The Museum of Fine Arts Houston contains nearly 80,000 works of art, including works from Vincent van Gogh, Amedeo Modigliani, and Rembrandt. The Houston Zoo is one of the largest zoos in the country, being home to over 6,000 animals.
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Houston Weather and Climate
What is the weather like in Houston? The Houston weather by month can vary, and some years have a more intense Houston climate than other years. However, there are trends in Houston weather you can look for. The city has a humid subtropical climate, meaning it experiences hot and humid summers and mild and cool winters. August is the hottest month in Houston, with an average temperature of 85 degrees and an average high of 94. The average temperature in Houston stays relatively consistent throughout the summer and doesn't decline in earnest until October.
January is the coldest month for Houston weather, with an average temperature of 54 degrees and an average low of 47. The Houston average temperature by month remains relatively consistent through the winter, with the average low staying below 50 degrees. Freezing temperatures are unheard of in the community.
Houston is a rainy city, with 43.5 inches of Houston rain falling on average every year. The Houston rain creates an extremely high level of average humidity in Houston in the summer. Almost every single day in the summer is humid, and most days feel oppressive or miserable. The city has mostly clear weather, but the winter has over 40% overcast and mostly cloudy days.
Does it snow in Houston Texas? Houston has occasionally experienced snowstorms, but the city receives zero inches of snowfall on average. The city does experience heavy rainstorms regularly, including ones from hurricanes and tropical storms. One reason why the Houston annual rainfall and Houston rainfall by month are so high is these storms can drop over a foot of rain in just two or three days. You should expect to live through at least one hurricane while living in Houston Texas. You should prepare your home for storms by buying emergency supplies and researching evacuation routes.
April is the best month for visiting and moving to Houston. The average temperature in April is 70 degrees, and 62% of days in April are clear, mostly clear, and partly cloudy. You can enjoy outdoor activities and watch games from professional sports teams in various locations throughout the diverse city.
Houston Restaurants
Houston has a diverse and vibrant food scene, with cuisines from all over the world as well as local delights like barbeque. Here are just a few of the best restaurants in Houston, including ideal eateries for date nights while living in Houston Texas.
Bungalow is a classy steakhouse well known for its premium steak and seafood dishes. Bungalow is also open for lunch, happy hour, and weekend brunch, making it ideal for romantic meals and client meetings throughout the week.
407 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77002, 713-393-7868
Lucille's is one of the best restaurants in Houston for Southern food. You can order a range of classic Southern dishes, including fried chicken, braised oxtail, and shrimp and grits.
5512 La Branch Street, Houston, TX, 77004, 713-568-2505
Taste of Texas is a casual steakhouse that also offers Southern dishes like pecan-crusted chicken. Taste of Texas has one of the largest wine lists in Houston restaurants, with dozens of options for red and white wines.
10505 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX, 77024, 713-932-6901
Things to Do in Houston
There are things to do in Houston for pretty much everyone! Here are just a few of the top things to do in Houston, including great attractions for kids and teens.
Top Houston Attractions
Ask someone living in Houston Texas about what to do in Houston, and they'll tell you to visit the Johnson Space Center. The Johnson Space Center is one of NASA's headquarters and is open for tours, including tours of Mission Control and Saturn V space rockets.
The Houston Zoo is one of the largest and most popular zoos in America, and it's the most popular outdoor attraction in the city. The zoo is open throughout the year, with dozens of exhibits and special events, including animal encounters. If you want to see more animals, you can visit the Downtown Aquarium. The Downtown Aquarium is an aquarium and entertainment complex that includes a tiger habitat, a Ferris wheel, and a full-service seafood restaurant.
Sports fans can enjoy visiting NRG Stadium and Minute Maid Park. NRG Stadium is home to the Houston Texans, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and the Texas Bowl. Minute Maid Park is home to the Houston Astros and concerts from top musicians.
The Houston Arboretum and Nature Center is a free nature center with five acres of nature trails, habitats, and specialty gardens. The Houston Arboretum also contains a preschool and offers educational programs for young children living in Houston Texas.
Houston Funplex is an indoor amusement park open from Wednesday to Sunday every week. The Houston Funplex contains numerous unique attractions, including an esports arena, 40 bowling lanes, and a two-story indoor playground.
Houston Entertainment and Arts
The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts is one of the top performing arts venues in Houston. The Hobby Center is home to musicals, stand-up comedy performances, and concerts throughout the year, including Broadway tours.
If you want to visit a historic and cozy theater while living in Houston Texas, you can visit The Heights Theater. Heights Theater is an Art Deco complex originally built in the 1920s. It's now home to concerts from independent, rock n' roll, and classical musicians.
Miller Outdoor Theater is the top outdoor theater in Houston TX. Miller Outdoor Theater is a hub for English-Spanish bilingual performances, Chicano music, and jazz music.
Rooftop Cinema Club Houston is a unique theater that screens movies on the rooftop of Houston buildings. You can watch first-run features as well as classic films, including horror movies and romantic comedies.
Houston Museums
The Houston Museum of Natural Science is one of the top science museums in America and one of the best things to do in Houston with kids. It contains over a dozen permanent exhibits, including a living butterfly center and a planetarium.
The Museum of Fine Arts Houston (MFAH) is the top art museum in the city. You can view a permanent collection of thousands of works from antiquity to the modern area, as well as rotating exhibits celebrating art from all over the world.
The Holocaust Museum Houston is the fourth-largest Holocaust museum in the United States, covering 57,000 square feet. The museum covers three stories and tells the stories of Houston residents who survived and witnessed the Holocaust.
The National Museum of Funeral History is the most unique museum in Houston. It contains America's largest collection of funeral items in a 30,500-square-foot facility.
Houston Parks and Outdoors
Hermann Park covers 445 acres and is home to numerous points of interest, including some top things to do in Houston with kids. You can walk beside a reflection pool and McGovern Lake, stroll through an authentic Japanese garden, and play golf at the Hermann Park Golf Course.
Buffalo Bayou Park covers 160 acres and is a top destination for hiking and picnicking while living in Houston Texas. You can go on guided tours of Buffalo Bayou Park and participate in meditation sessions at night.
Waterwall Park is home to a sculptural fountain and a 360-foot-long lawn perfect for lounging. The fountain is a popular site for photography and meditation, with many people finding the sound of the falling water to be relaxing.
Memorial Park is the largest park within Houston's borders, covering 1,466 acres. Memorial Park contains over 30 miles of hiking and walking trails, 18 tennis and croquet courts, and four sand volleyball courts.
Shopping in Houston
The Galleria is the largest shopping mall in the Bayou City. The mall contains over 400 stores, including over 70 locally-run stores unique to The Galleria.
The River Oaks Shopping Center is in eastern Texas. The shopping center contains dozens of stores, including The Antiquarium, the largest dealer of antique maps and prints in Texas.
Memorial City Mall is home to upscale and luxurious stores, including Apple and Abercrombie and Fitch. The mall also contains dozens of world-class restaurants, making it a good place to go shopping for a day.
Map of Things to Do in Houston
You can use this map to find the best things to do in Houston, including affordable things to do in Houston with kids!
Houston Sports
WalletHub ranks Houston in the top 25 sports cities in the country. Here are the five professional sports teams in Houston:
Houston also has dozens of other professional and semi-professional teams, including the Houston Energy, a top women's football team.
The Houston Cougars are the athletic teams at the University of Houston. The Houston Cougars football team is a Division I team that has won 11 conference championships. Popular annual sporting events in Houston include the Houston Marathon, the Houston Open, and the Houston College Classic.
Houston Crime Rate
Here are the latest Houston crime rates, according to the FBI in 2022:
- Total Houston crime rate: 5,723 offenses per 100,000 people living in Houston Texas (109.5% higher than the Texas crime rate, 146.2% higher than the national average)
- Violent Houston crime rate: 1,142 crimes per 100,000 people living in Houston Texas (164.4% higher than the Texas crime rate, 208.8% higher than the national average)
- Property Houston crime rate: 4,582 offenses per 100,000 people living in Houston Texas (99.2% higher than the Texas crime rate, 134.4% higher than the national rate)
So is Houston safe? While its crime rates are high, there are many safe places to live in Houston. A Houston crime map reveals that top neighborhoods like Texas Medical Center are safe to live in. It's also a safe community compared to other major cities. Here are some comparisons between Houston and other cities of similar size:
- Houston vs. San Antonio: San Antonio's total crime rate is 4.0% higher than Houston
- Houston vs. Portland, Oregon: The Portland crime rate is 23.6% higher than Houston
- Houston vs. Baton Rouge: The Baton Rouge crime rate is 20.2% higher than the Houston crime rate
The Houston Police Department employs 5,243 police officers who respond to all emergencies in the Space City. Most residents never experience crime while living in Houston Texas.
Economy and Jobs in Houston
Houston has a diverse and growing job market, making it easy to find work once you start living in Houston Texas. 1,128,657 people have jobs in Houston, up by 11.0% since 2013. The top industries for Houston jobs are construction, health care, and retail trade, each contributing over 100,000 Houston jobs to the job market. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, the city has an unemployment rate of just 4.3%. According to Payscale, the average salary in Houston is $81,000 a year, and the average base hourly rate for Houston jobs is $21.87.
The Greater Houston Partnership is the largest chamber of commerce in Houston. The Houston Association releases reports on the job market and supports many businesses in and around Houston. Top employers in Houston and some of the best places to work in Houston include Walmart, H-E-B, and Houston Methodist. You can apply for job opportunities while living in Houston Texas, with each of these businesses. You can also research jobs in Houston TX using Indeed and apply for City of Houston jobs on the municipal government's website.
Houston Healthcare
One of the biggest benefits of moving to Houston is Houston healthcare. The city has several top-ranked medical facilities. US News ranks Houston Methodist Hospital as the top hospital in Texas and includes Houston Methodist in its Honor Roll of best hospitals in the country. US News also ranks Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center and Memorial Hermann Hospital in the top five hospitals in Texas.
If you're looking for cancer treatment while living in Houston Texas, you can visit the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. US News ranks it as the best cancer treatment center in America, including for pediatric cancer. Texas Children's Hospital is the largest children's hospital in the country. US News ranks Texas Children's Hospital in the top five children's hospitals in America.
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Houston Schools
The city contains 19 public school districts. The largest Houston school district is Houston Independent School District (HISD), which has over 250 public schools and 70 charter schools. HISD is one of the best school districts in Houston, along with the Katy Independent School District. You can use the HISD district maps to find where your children will go to school.
The best high schools in Houston include Carnegie Vanguard High School, which US News ranks in the top 50 high schools in the country. 99% of students test at or above the proficiency rate in reading, 39 percentage points higher than the national average. All students living in Houston Texas, and attending Carnegie Vanguard take part in Advanced Placement exams, with almost all students passing at least one AP exam. Other top high schools in Houston include DeBakey High School for Health Professions, which prepares students living in Houston Texas for careers in health care.
The city is home to dozens of private schools. St Johns School is a co-educational and independent day school for students between kindergarten and 12th grade. It's one of the best private schools in Houston, with over 100 student-led clubs. The Awty International School is the top international school in Houston TX, with full accreditation from the French Ministry of Education.
The city has four major state universities and various private colleges and community colleges. The University of Houston is the largest university in Houston and offers over 250 degree programs, including graduate programs. US News ranks Rice University in the top 20 universities in the country and the top five value schools. Rice University has a 6:1 student-to-teacher ratio, one of the lowest ratios amongst major universities.
The Houston Public Library has 44 branches that serve all students living in Houston Texas. The Central Library Jesse H. Jones Building is the flagship branch of the library.
According to SmartAsset, the average cost of utilities in Houston is $211.55 a month. Here are the official companies that provide Houston utilities for residents living in Houston Texas:
You have multiple options for electricity and natural gas providers in Houston. You can use the Power to Choose tool to compare providers in Houston and find the best one for you.
You can change the information on your driver's license by filling out forms at a Houston DMV. You can apply for a new license if you're moving from out of state on the Texas Department of Public Safety website. To get a license, you must have proof of American citizenship and Texas residency. You will need to provide your Social Security Number, which you can do by handing over your Social Security card.
You may be asking yourself, "Should I move to Houston?" Yes, you should start moving to Houston because living in Houston Texas is so special! Houston health care, jobs, schools, and things to do are amongst the best in the country. You and your family can enjoy a fun, vibrant, and exciting life today.
All you need to do is figure out moving to Houston. PDX Movers is the top Houston moving company, serving over 3,000 customers every year. Call 346-326-1141 for a free quote now.
