Cost of Living Comparison for Houston, TX
Updated 2026 · Local data pre-filled
Houston's cost of living index is 101 — 1% more expensive than the national average. This factors in housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare. Use this calculator to see how your purchasing power would change if you moved to another city.
✓ Calculator below is pre-filled with Houston local data
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
Cost of Living Comparison in Other Texas Cities
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).