What is the cost of living in Houston compared to the national average?

Houston's cost of living index is 101, which is 1% above the national average.

What is the capital gains tax rate for 2025?

Long-term (held >1 year): 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on income. Short-term (held ≤1 year): taxed as ordinary income at 10-37%.

How much capital gains tax do I pay on stocks?

Long-term gains: $0 if income under $48,350 (single, 2025). 15% up to $533,400. 20% above that. Short-term gains taxed at your regular income rate.

How do I avoid capital gains tax on home sale?

Exclude up to $250,000 ($500,000 married) of gains if you lived in the home 2 of last 5 years. This is the primary residence exclusion.

Do I pay capital gains tax on crypto?

Yes — crypto is property. Selling for profit triggers capital gains. Short-term if held ≤1 year, long-term if held longer. Track every transaction.

What is tax-loss harvesting?

Selling losing investments to offset gains. Up to $3,000 of net losses can offset ordinary income annually. Losses carry forward indefinitely.

What is the net investment income tax?

High earners (above $200K single / $250K married) pay an extra 3.8% NIIT on investment income including capital gains.

Capital Gains Tax Calculator for Houston, TX

Updated 2026 · Local data pre-filled

📍 Customized for Houston, Texas

Capital gains tax in Houston, TX depends on your federal rate plus Texas state taxes. For real estate, note that the median home in Houston has appreciated significantly — understanding your tax liability before selling is critical. Long-term gains (assets held >1 year) receive preferential federal rates of 0%, 15%, or 20%.

Median Home

$320k

Median Rent

$1,262/mo

Median Income

$68k/yr

Property Tax

1.90%

Cost of Living

101 / 100 avg

Capital Gains Tax Calculator — Know Your Tax Bill Before You Sell

Calculate short-term and long-term capital gains tax on investments.

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Your Results

Capital Gain: $15,000(positive trend)

Tax Owed: $2,250

Gain: $15,000
Tax Rate: 15.0%
Tax Owed: $2,250
Net Proceeds: $22,750

Gain Breakdown

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How This Calculator Works

Short-term: Taxed as ordinary income (held ≤1 year)

Long-term: 0%, 15%, or 20% based on total income (held >1 year)

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn More

Long-Term vs Short-Term Capital Gains Tax Rates: A Complete 2025 Breakdown

9 min read

Avoiding Capital Gains Tax: Home Sales, Tax-Loss Harvesting, and Strategic Timing

9 min read

Capital Gains Tax for Crypto, Collectibles, and Alternative Investments

8 min read

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Calculations are for educational purposes only. Consult a qualified financial advisor for personalized advice.

How Houston Compares to the National Average

Understanding how Houston stacks up helps you calibrate your financial planning.

Metric	Houston, TX	US Average	Difference
Median Home Price	$320,000	$420,800	-24.0%
Median Monthly Rent	$1,262	$1,713	-26.3%
Median Household Income	$67,800	$74,580	-9.1%
Property Tax Rate	1.90%	1.10%	+72.7%
Cost of Living Index	101	100	+1.0%

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, NAR (2024–2025). Green = favorable for residents; red = less favorable.

Houston Financial Snapshot

Population (Metro): 7,470,000
Unemployment: 4.2%
Avg Commute: 29 min
Median Age: 34.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio: 21.1x
Annual Property Tax: $6,080

← Capital Gains Tax Calculator (all states)← Capital Gains Tax Calculator for Texas

Capital Gains Tax Calculator in Other Texas Cities

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Frequently Asked Questions — Houston

What is the median home price in Houston, TX?

The median home price in Houston is $320,000 as of 2025–2026. This is below the national median of $420,800.

What is the average rent in Houston?

Median monthly rent in Houston is $1,262. That works out to $15,144/year, or 22% of the median household income — within the commonly recommended 30% of income guideline.

Is Houston affordable?

Houston's cost of living index is 101 vs. the national average of 100. With a median household income of $67,800/year and a median home price of $320,000, the price-to-income ratio is 4.7x. Houston falls in the middle of the affordability spectrum for US cities.

What is the property tax rate in Houston?

The effective property tax rate in Houston is 1.90% of assessed value. On the median home of $320,000, that's roughly $6,080/year ($507/month).