Cost of Living in Houston
Overall index: 96.5 — 5 points above Texas average. Texas statewide average: 91.1.
Where your money goes in Houston
Estimated spending breakdown on a $75,000 salary in Houston
Estimated annual spending: $60,624($14,376 remaining)
What things cost in Houston
| Item | Houston | Texas avg | US avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $310,000 | $295,000 | $360,000 |
| Average 2BR rent | $1,400/mo | $1,112/mo | $1,400/mo |
| Gas (regular) | $3.21/gal | $3.21/gal | $3.50/gal |
| Electric bill | $87/mo | $87/mo | $137/mo |
| Infant childcare | $12,000/yr | $10,706/yr | $13,500/yr |
Index by category
Houston vs Texas statewide. National average = 100.
Other cities in Texas
FAQ
What is the cost of living in Houston?
Houston has an overall cost-of-living index of 96.5 (national average = 100). This is higher than the Texas statewide average of 91.1. Median home prices are $310,000 and average 2BR rent is $1,400/month.
Is Houston expensive to live in?
Houston is near the national average with an index of 96.5.
How much does rent cost in Houston?
Average 2-bedroom rent in Houston is $1,400/month, compared to the national average of $1,400/month and the Texas statewide average of $1,112/month.
What salary do I need to live in Houston?
A $75,000 salary at the national average cost of living is equivalent to $72,375 in Houston. Your money goes about as far or further than the national average.
Where does this data come from?
Metro-level data combines BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), C2ER COLI metro indices (2025), Zillow ZHVI/ZORI metro data (2024-2025), and state-level data from MERIC, AAA, EIA, and Child Care Aware.
Related tools
- Texas Cost of Living — Statewide averages and all metro areas
- Texas Paycheck Calculator — Calculate take-home pay
- House Affordability in Texas — How much house can you afford?
- Compare any two states
Metro-level data from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), C2ER COLI (2025), and Zillow ZHVI (2024-2025). Where metro data is unavailable, Texas statewide averages are used.