Average Cost of Living in Houston in 2023

In this blog, we have comprehensively covered everything you need to know about the average cost of living in Houston, including the latest facts and statistics. Houston boasts an attractive cost of living when compared to many other major cities across the United States. We invite you to read.

Last Updated: 16.04.2023

by Rinas Bullatovci

Key Takeaway: March 2023 Data

✓ Houston's living costs are 7.9% below the nationwide average and 34.1% below the average of the nation's most populous metropolitan areas.(Houston.org)

✓ As of March 2023, the median rent price in Houston, TX stands at $1,762, which is $75 higher than the median rent price in February 2022.(Zillow)

✓ Prices in the Houston increased by 2.3% as of March 2023 compared to one year ago. (Salary.com)

Section 01

Average Cost of Housing in Houston

Section 02

Average Cost of Transportation

Section 03

Average Cost of Utilities

Section 04

Average Cost of Healthcare and Taxes

Section 05

Average Cost of Groceries

Section 06

Average Cost of Living for Students

Section

01

Average Cost of Housing in Houston

We have included information on the average cost of renting and owning a house in Houston in this section. We invite you to read on to learn more.

In Houston, TX, the median rent for all property types and all bedrooms is $1,762.

For all property types and all bedrooms in Houston, TX, the price range is from $350 to $35,000.

Compared to the previous year, rent has increased by $75 in the last year.

The rent in Houston, TX is 16% lower than the national median.

This is $38 lower than the previous month of January.

As of now, there are 6,675 rentals available in Houston, TX.

Houston, TX has a median rent of $1,762, which is $338 lower than the national median.

Renter-occupied households account for 57%.

Owner-occupied households represent 43%.

The average rent for a studio apartment in Houston has increased by 3% to $1,234 over the past month.

There has been a 2% increase in the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Houston, which now stands at $1,341.

The average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment remained flat.

The available inventory in the area reached its highest level since July 2020 in September 2022.

Although housing prices have increased in the region during the pandemic, sales prices are now decreasing from their record highs in May and June, as per the data provided by the Houston Association of Realtors.

The average price for a single-family home in the greater Houston area still exceeds $400,000.

As of September 2022, the median sales price is $343,950 in the greater Houston area.

This is a nearly 15-percent increase from the same time one year earlier.

The median price for townhomes and condos is only $220,000.

According to Redfin data, the median home prices in Southwest Houston were approximately $265,000 in September 2022, while the median prices in Central Houston were $510,000.

As an instance, in September, the housing supply in the area stood at 2.7 months, which was higher than 1.3 months in March.

This is a nearly 15-percent increase from the same time one year earlier.

The median price for townhomes and condos is only $220,000.

According to Redfin data, the median home prices in Southwest Houston were approximately $265,000 in September 2022, while the median prices in Central Houston were $510,000.

As an instance, in September, the housing supply in the area stood at 2.7 months, which was higher than 1.3 months in March.

Section

02

Average Cost of Transportation in Houston

Houston's public transportation system is underdeveloped. Continue reading for more detailed information.

Although the city center has a metro line and bus system with fares ranging from $1.25 to $8 per ride, the routes and schedules are limited compared to other cities.

In Houston the cost of a monthly ticket for public transportation is $40.

The price of one gallon of gas in Houston is approximately $2.48.

Getting your tires balanced will run you about $54.47.

According to the MIT Living Wage Calculator, a single adult in Houston can expect to spend around $5,509 annually on transportation expenses.

A household comprising of two working adults and a child can expect transportation costs to increase to $12,709 per year, according to the MIT Living Wage Calculator.

The cost of gasoline in Houston is relatively affordable, with fluctuations of around $4.10 per gallon.

In recent decades, the price of gas in Houston has risen to around $3 per gallon, but it remains slightly lower than the national average.

In addition, commuters who use major roads may have to pay tolls, which typically cost around $1 per trip.

Monthly parking passes in downtown or city center Houston can range from $50 to $350 per month.

Despite the various transportation costs in Houston, the overall expenses are approximately 5% lower than the national average, making it a relatively affordable city to navigate.

The starting fare for a taxi ride with a normal tariff in Houston is $2.99.

The cost of a taxi ride for 1 km at normal tariff in Houston is $3.10, while the starting fare for a taxi ride is $2.99.

Taxi waiting time for 1 hour in normal tariff is $30.00 in Houston.

Section

03

Average Cost of Utilities

The cost of utilities, which typically includes electricity, heating, internet, water, and garbage, is often included in the rent, although it can vary slightly depending on the location and any additional inclusions in your rental agreement.

Although the city center has a metro line and bus system with fares ranging from $1.25 to $8 per ride, the routes and schedules are limited compared to other cities.

In Houston the cost of a monthly ticket for public transportation is $40.

The price of one gallon of gas in Houston is approximately $2.48.

Getting your tires balanced will run you about $54.47.

According to the MIT Living Wage Calculator, a single adult in Houston can expect to spend around $5,509 annually on transportation expenses.

A household comprising of two working adults and a child can expect transportation costs to increase to $12,709 per year, according to the MIT Living Wage Calculator.

The cost of gasoline in Houston is relatively affordable, with fluctuations of around $4.10 per gallon.

In recent decades, the price of gas in Houston has risen to around $3 per gallon, but it remains slightly lower than the national average.

In addition, commuters who use major roads may have to pay tolls, which typically cost around $1 per trip.

Monthly parking passes in downtown or city center Houston can range from $50 to $350 per month.

Despite the various transportation costs in Houston, the overall expenses are approximately 5% lower than the national average, making it a relatively affordable city to navigate.

The starting fare for a taxi ride with a normal tariff in Houston is $2.99.

The cost of a taxi ride for 1 km at normal tariff in Houston is $3.10, while the starting fare for a taxi ride is $2.99.

Taxi waiting time for 1 hour in normal tariff is $30.00 in Houston.

Section

04

Average Cost of Healthcare and Taxes

The cost of healthcare services in Houston is, on average, 2% less than the national average. Here, you can find the average cost of health-related services in Houston.

The cost of a doctor's visit is $115.80.

The cost of a visit to the dentist is $99.02.

The cost of a visit to the optometrist is $107.25.

The prescription drug costs $460.80.

The cost of a visit to the veterinarian is $52.81.

The price of Ibuprofen is $9.86.

The price of Lipitor is $479.16.

The monthly cost of employer-sponsored healthcare for an individual is $575.

The monthly cost of employer-sponsored healthcare for a family consisting of two adults and two children is $1,839.

The cost of non-employer-sponsored healthcare for an individual is $520.

The cost of non-employer-sponsored healthcare for a couple with at least one child is $1,352.

The monthly fee for one adult at a fitness club is $41.30.

In 2022, the minimum combined sales tax rate in Houston that includes state, county, and city sales tax rates is 8.25%.

Texas does not impose a state income tax, however, the average property tax in the state is relatively high at 1.80%.

The rate of sales tax in Texas is 6.25 percent.

For goods purchased within the city limits of Houston, there is an additional sales tax of 1 percent, resulting in a combined total sales tax of 7.25 percent.

Section

05

Average Cost of Groceries

Read to learn more about the increase of food prices in Houston.

The proportion of a household's budget in Houston spent on food is 9.3 percent.

This figure was considerably lower than the U.S. average of 12.2 percent.

Households in the Houston area spent a total of $3,142.

54.1 percent of the money spent on food by Houston-area households was for food at home.

Houston-area households allocated $2,668, which constitutes 45.9 percent of their food budget, towards food consumed outside their homes.

In contrast, the average household in the United States allocated 65.3 percent of its food budget to food consumed at home.

The remaining 34.7 percent of the typical U.S. household's food budget was expended on food consumed outside their homes.

One gallon of regular milk costs $3.57.

A one-pound loaf of fresh white bread costs $2.80.

One pound of white rice costs $1.51.

A dozen regular eggs cost $3.63.

One pound of local cheese costs $5.36.

One pound of chicken fillets costs $4.19.

One pound of beef round (or equivalent back leg red meat) costs $6.40.

One pound of apples costs $2.06.

One pound of bananas costs $0.59.

Section

06

Average Cost of Living for Students

For students, this resource provides comprehensive information on the expenses associated with pursuing an education in Houston.

The average cost of rent  is about $2,000 a month.

Depending on location, rent can reach up to $6,000.

The average cost of a private student apartment in Houston is $1,000.

Prices vary depending on season. During winter, the average cost for a one-bedroom apartment is $800.

Prices increase during the summer season from June through August.

On average, you will pay around $30 for one meal at home.

Houston is way cheaper than other cities when it comes to food.

One can eat a meal at an inexpensive restaurant for around $10 on average.

This is much cheaper than $35 for two people at comparable establishments in London or New York City.

A gallon of milk typically costs around $2.50.

Bread rolls cost less than 50 cents each, and fresh fruit is reasonably priced.

Students living on or close to campus can benefit from the convenience of bus rides, which typically cost around $1.

The total cost of living with off-campus accommodation per month is $1,690.

The total cost of living with off-campus accommodation per month is $1,658.

The total cost of clothes and entertainment was $143.

The annual cost of living is $19,896.