How Much Does It Cost to Live in Houston
Cost of Living in Houston, TX
Cost of Living in Houston, TX is
-8.0% Lower
than the National Average
Did the Cost of Living in Houston, TX increase in 2021? Houston, TX area prices were up 2.3% from a year ago. The largest increases were found in Transportation, Food, and Housing.
By using Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator, you can make a cost of living comparison of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and salary differentials of over 300+ US cities. Let us help you make an informed decision about what it will cost to live and work in the city of your dreams!
About Houston, Texas Houston is located 165 miles (266 km) east of Austin, 88 miles (142 km) west of the Louisiana border, and 250 miles (400 km) south of Dallas. The city....More
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour while Texas's state law sets the minimum wage rate at $7.25 per hour in 2021. Demands for a living wage that is fair to workers have resulted in numerous location-based changes to minimum wage levels. View future changes in the minimum wage in your location by visiting Minimum Wage Values in Houston, TX 
Cost of Living Calculator
Cost of Living in other Major Cities
| City, State | Compared to national average |
|---|---|
| City, State San Francisco, CA | Compared to national average + 86.1% |
| City, State Washington, DC | Compared to national average + 56.1% |
| City, State Miami, FL | Compared to national average + 11.6% |
| City, State Chicago, IL | Compared to national average + 15.0% |
| City, State Boston, MA | Compared to national average + 51.0% |
| City, State New York, NY | Compared to national average + 80.4% |
| City, State Dallas, TX | Compared to national average -2.7% |
Cost of Living Houston, TX by Expense Category
| Category | Compared to national average |
|---|---|
| Category Energy | Compared to national average -12.8% |
| Category Food | Compared to national average -9.1% |
| Category Healthcare | Compared to national average + 2.7% |
| Category Housing | Compared to national average -13.7% |
| Category Transportation | Compared to national average -12.4% |
Cost of Living Comparison with Houston, TX
If you move to Houston from one of these cities, you would have these the changes of your cost of living.
| Move From | Move To | Cost Of Living Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Move From San Francisco, CA | Move To Houston, TX | Cost Of Living Comparision -94.1% |
| Move From Washington, DC | Move To Houston, TX | Cost Of Living Comparision -64.1% |
| Move From Miami, FL | Move To Houston, TX | Cost Of Living Comparision -19.6% |
| Move From Chicago, IL | Move To Houston, TX | Cost Of Living Comparision -23.0% |
| Move From Boston, MA | Move To Houston, TX | Cost Of Living Comparision -59.0% |
| Move From New York, NY | Move To Houston, TX | Cost Of Living Comparision -88.4% |
| Move From Dallas, TX | Move To Houston, TX | Cost Of Living Comparision -5.3% |
Based on this cost of living comparison, you can see:
If you move from Chicago IL, Dallas, TX, or Miami, FL, the percent increase of your cost of living could be 22.8%, 37.8%, and 24.8%. Looks like this move could have a negative net change in disposable income, so please think carefully!
If you move from New York, NY, San Francisco, CA, or Washington, DC, the percent reduction of your cost of living could be -43.50%, -23%, and -20.10%, that's good news to you that you could be looking at a positive net change in disposable income.
About Houston, TX
Houston is located 165 miles (266 km) east of Austin, 88 miles (142 km) west of the Louisiana border, and 250 miles (400 km) south of Dallas. The city has a total area of 627 square miles (1,620 km2); this comprises 599.59 square miles (1,552.9 km2) of land and 22.3 square miles (58 km2) covered by water. The Piney Woods are north of Houston. Most of Houston is located on the gulf coastal plain, and its vegetation is classified as temperate grassland and forest. Much of the city was built on forested land, marshes, swamp, or prairie and are all still visible in surrounding areas.[citation need...
Source: Wikipedia (as of 04/11/2019). Read more from Wikipedia
Comments about the Cost of Living in Houston, TX
If I plan on eating out occasionally will it be affordable in Houston, TX?
Houston, Texas going out to eat at a restaurant and buying food is considered to be affordable. Make sure you take this into account as you plan your overall cost of living in Houston, TX. ( 2021-11-29 salary.com )
Are there good recreational opportunities in or near Houston, TX?
If you love sports, you will love Houston, TX! Since there are baseball, basketball teams, you can go to a lot of games. Keep in mind that the tickets tend to be expensive, so you need to manage your entertainment budget carefully. Sometimes you can get discount tickets on line. Some people purchase a season ticket with a group of friends and take turns going to the games. Sports tickets can increase your cost of living in Houston, TX, but if you are a true sports fan it is worth it. In Houston, TX, the games are usually shown on local TV and you can host a party of friends and watch the game together. ( 2021-11-29 salary.com )
What is the cost of internet and cable TV in Houston, TX?
The average cost of internet access in the U.S. is $66.20 per month. There are many providers and various packages that are offered, many that bundle internet, cable, and phone together. Pricing for various packages can vary a lot even in the same location. You should evaluate the options based on your usage and preferences and pick the best fit for your needs. One tip to reduce this cost and your overall cost of living, is to get cable service from another source like Direct TV, Netflix, Sling, Amazon Prime or others. ( 2021-11-29 salary.com )
I am nervous about moving, what is the typical cost of moving to another city and what should I have to think about?
Even if you are moving within your current state, the cost of moving could be over $1,000 depending on the city, what you are moving, and how much professional help you hire. You can save some expense by packing boxes yourself, renting a U-Haul truck, and asking friends and family to help with the loading and unloading. You should call at least three moving companies for a moving estimate, the cost might be less than you think and you won't have to worry about a friend hurting their back trying to move your heavy furniture. Another way to make your move easier – and save money – is by weeding out items you don't need anymore. Why bother to move stuff that you do not even use! Have a yard sale or find a local charitable organization and donate items you no longer use. Make sure you include these moving costs into the overall cost of living for year one in Houston, TX. ( 2021-11-29 salary.com )
Is the cost of electricity in Houston, Texas expected to change in the future?
The cost of electricity in Texas has gone up by 1.883% in the past year. It is possible that electric rates may fluctuate depending on consumption rates, government regulations and even the weather. ( 2021-11-29 salary.com )
What kind of child care is available in Houston, Texas and what is the cost?
The estimated average annual cost for child care in Houston, Texas (based on state average), is $8759. This cost is ranked NO. 31 nationally. Some employers have company provided day care centers that let you bring your child to work with you and receive care on site. Some colleges and universities with Childhood Education programs also may have day care centers available at reduced costs, so you should explore those possibilities to see if you can reduce your child care expense. ( 2021-11-29 salary.com )
Should I plan on spending a lot on rent in Houston,TX?
In Houston,TX, my friend pays $1024 for a large 2 bedroom apartment. Since he has 2 children, he needs to have a large apartment. ( 2021-11-29 salary.com )
Are there fun things to in Houston, Texas that are free or don't cost a lot?
Looks for areas of Houston, Texas where there is a large student population. In those areas you will be sure to find lots of free or cheap events to go to and plenty of cheap places to eat. Familiarize yourself with the places where students hang out, and take advantage of discounted or bargain prices, you are sure to be able to keep your cost of living reasonable. Look at the website for Houston, TX to find recommendations for activities that are available and unique to the area. ( 2021-11-29 salary.com )
Will I have to pay a lot in taxes if I move to Houston, Texas?
The sales tax for Houston is 6.25%. This is the tax that you will pay on things that you buy. ( 2021-11-29 salary.com )
Is there good public transportation in Houston, Texas?
You are in luck! Houston, Texas is ranked NO. 23 in the U.S. for public transportation quality. Having a good public transit system to use will reduce travel expenses and your overall cost of living. ( 2021-11-29 salary.com )
Is Houston, Texas very congested with traffic?
Overall, the time and ease of your driving times will impact your cost of living, since driving in heavy and slow moving traffic uses a lot of gas. Houston, Texas has an ease of driving ranking of 46 and is considered pretty good overall for commuters. ( 2021-11-29 salary.com )
How long does it take to get to work in Houston, Texas on average?
Getting to work is important. The weather, traffic, time of year, day of week and if there are accidents, can all impact your commute time. Hopefully you will have a smooth commute in Houston, Texas, but be prepared for delays. The time you spend commuting is time you do not have to do other things, so it is valuable. The average time for commuting in Houston is 42.21 minutes. ( 2021-11-29 salary.com )
Does Houston, Texas have a good climate?
The weather in Houston is ideal. Based on data collected by NOAA National Climatic Data Center, Houston is considered to have one of the most favorable climates in the country based on comfort and number of days with clear skies. You will enjoy living in Houston, Texas. ( 2021-11-29 salary.com )
How much is a monthly pass for public transit in Houston, Texas?
The cost of a monthly transit pass in Houston, TX is around $65.00. Ask your employer if they offer discounted passes to save even more money and reduce your cost of commuting and overall Cost of Living (COL). ( 2021-11-29 salary.com )
Cost of Living Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Cost of Living index and how is it used?
In the simplest terms, a Cost of Living index is the estimated amount that represents the cost of the basic necessities required for an individual to live. A cost of living or COL estimate may typically include estimates for housing, food, energy, medical care, transportation, taxes, and other necessities. A COL index may be used to measure what the cost difference would be for a person living in a certain location compared to another location. This cost of living comparison helps individuals make decisions about where they would like to live and what they can afford based on the costs in that location. A cost of living comparison can provide guidance about how an increase or decrease in these basic living expenses impacts necessary spending for an individual or a family. ( 2021-11-29 salary.com )
What factors are included in estimating your cost of living?
The Salary.com cost of living calculator estimate is based on data related to five general categories: housing , food , healthcare , transportation , and energy . These are the universally recognized core components of any cost of living estimate and represent those expenses that apply to everyone. Obviously, there may be other factors that could contribute to your particular cost of living situation and not everyone has the same spending habits. For example, education and/or childcare costs might not apply to everyone, but for those who have those expenses, they could be significant and should be considered when you evaluate your cost of living comparison. ( 2021-11-29 salary.com )
The Salary.com cost of living calculator is unique in that it also incorporates current salary data for thousands of jobs specific to a chosen home or work location to provide a more refined estimate of the cost of living variations. You can see how your job and your salary will be impacted by a change of location. If you live in one location but work in another, the cost of living calculator will make those adjustments to provide an accurate estimate of the change in COL. The Salary.com cost of living calculator helps you to make cost of living comparisons cost comparisons easily and quickly. ( 2021-11-29 salary.com )
Last Update: 2021-11-29
How Much Does It Cost to Live in Houston
Source: https://www.salary.com/research/cost-of-living/houston-tx