How Much Does it Cost to Live in Houston, TX?
Quick Summary: Thinking of making the move to Houston? At nearly 6% lower than the national average, Houston's cost of living is rather affordable. Learn more about how to afford living in Houston—covering everything from housing and utilities to groceries, healthcare, transportation, and more—so you can more accurately budget your Texas relocation.
Considering living in Houston? H-Town is filled with a variety of amenities to explore and is one of the most diverse places to live in the country. Unlike other large metros areas and places where people move, you'll find that the Houston cost of living is affordable compared to the rest of the nation. Whether you're moving across the country or relocating from a nearby city, ask movers questions before hiring and read our comprehensive guide below to learn more about the cost of living in Houston and whether this city is right for your budget!
Cost of living data provided by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER).
How Much Does It Cost to Live in Houston?
The overall cost to live in Houston is around 5.9% lower than the national average, making it affordable compared to other Texas cities like Austin and Dallas. Residents of Bayou City see savings in utilities, transportation, and healthcare. The largest amount of savings you'll have is for housing—meaning you'll have an opportunity to find an affordable place to live in Houston. Check out the table below for more price comparisons!
Cost of Living Categories | Houston's Cost of Living Compared to National Averages |
Housing | 20.1% lower |
Utilities | 7.2% lower |
Transportation | 5.8% lower |
Healthcare | 1.6% lower |
Goods & Services | 3.3% higher |
Cost of Housing in Houston
Houston real estate is affordable compared to the national average—you'll save around 23% when you buy a home in Houston and nearly 15% on rental costs. There are several affordable neighborhoods in Houston, including Kingwood, Spring Branch, and Sugar Land, that give access to amazing recreational, professional, and educational opportunities at manageable costs. Below is a city vs. national cost comparison!
Item | Average Price in Houston | National Average Price |
Home Price | $397,435 | $518,961 |
Apartment Rent | $1,329 | $1,559 |
Cost of Utilities in Houston (Monthly)
Houston sees some more savings in utility costs, which are 7.2% lower than the national average. Part of budgeting for Houston living expenses includes your overall energy costs and phone bill. While these both vary depending on energy usage and cellular plans, the average Houston utilities cost for phones is about 6% higher than the rest of the country, but you'll save about 15% for overall energy costs.
Item | Average Price in Houston | National Average Price |
Energy | $176.21 | $207.40 |
Phone | $207.44 | $195.49 |
Cost of Groceries in Houston
The cost of groceries in H-Town is pretty consistent with the national average—just 1% more affordable, comparatively. You can expect to save money on foods like steak, eggs, bananas, and more. See the table below to learn more about the cost of groceries in Houston.
Item | Average Price in Houston | National Average Price |
Steak | $14.60 | $15.52 |
Ground Beef | $7.01 | $7.04 |
Milk (½ Gallon | $4.65 | $4.70 |
Eggs (Dozen) | $3.42 | $3.56 |
Bananas | $.70 | $0.74 |
Bread | $3.99 | $3.95 |
Orange Juice | $4.42 | $4.50 |
Coffee | $5.50 | $5.57 |
Cost of Healthcare in Houston
The cost of healthcare in Houston, TX is 1.6% lower than the national average, overall. While doctors' visits are generally 31.41% lower in cost than the national average, you can expect to pay more for dentists, optometrists, and prescription medications. Check out the Houston healthcare costs below for more detailed price comparisons.
Item | Average Price in Houston | National Average Price |
Doctor | $99.75 | $145.43 |
Dentist | $133.75 | $118.71 |
Optometrist | $150.68 | $131.82 |
Prescription Medication | $21.04 | $20.78 |
Cost of Transportation in Houston
The cost of Houston transportation is 7.2% lower than the national average—including gas prices that are nearly 11% percent lower! On the other hand, maintenance services like tire balances are about 6% more expensive than the national average, which is still affordable when compared to other Texas cities like Austin. See the table below for price comparison details.
Item | Average Price in Houston | National Average Price |
Gasoline (1 Gallon) | $2.89 | $3.24 |
Tire Balance | $66.82 | $62.82 |
Cost of Goods & Services in Houston
Despite the cost of goods and services in Houston being 3.3% higher than the national average, you can still save some money in several areas. You'll see savings when buying movie tickets, toothpaste, shampoo, and more. Look at the table below for more price comparisons!
Item | Average Price in Houston | National Average Price |
Toothpaste | $4.02 | $4.10 |
Shampoo | $1.49 | $1.54 |
Ibuprofen | $11.04 | $11.08 |
Haircut | $28.65 | $26.24 |
Movie Ticket | $11.93 | $12.52 |
Beauty Salon | $71.93 | $49.12 |
Hamburger Stand | $4.81 | $5.67 |
Pizza | $12.35 | $12.36 |
Beer | $10.52 | $10.21 |
Wine | $10.90 | $11.79 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it expensive to live in Houston?
The average cost of living in Houston is 5.9% lower than the national average, so it's generally considered to be affordable. Residents pay less for things like housing, utilities, transportation, and healthcare than the national average.
What salary do you need to live in Houston, Texas?
A salary ranging from $38,230 to $95,118 is generally thought to provide enough to live comfortably in Houston—but ultimately, this depends on several factors, like where in the city you're living, the size of your family, and more. Be sure to take your household income and where you want to move into consideration to help figure out a comfortable wage for your lifestyle.
How much is rent in Houston, Texas?
The average rent price in Houston is $1,329 or 14.75% less expensive than the national average. Your personal apartment costs will depend on where you live in the city and other fees. Because of Houston's affordable cost of living, it's budget-friendly rental cost average, and even city-supported housing programs—the path to homebuying for residents is more accessible.
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Quinn Johnson
Quinn Johnson is a moving expert and author for Extra Space Storage. He's moved over 15 times, including internationally, and helped countless others between their own homes. He's happy to lift some boxes for a friend as long as he's paid in pizza. As a writer and content creator for Extra Space Storage since 2019, Quinn shares helpful moving tips and info to alleviate the common stresses of moving.
