Cost of Living

Houston, United States

Live cost-of-living data for Houston — rent, groceries, transport, healthcare and more, sourced and cross-checked by AI and refreshed regularly.

CheapestNew York = 100
32/ 10068% cheaper than New York
0% rent since Jul 2026
$3,850/mo
Median Income
42/100
Safety
0%
Income Tax
humid subtropical
Climate

Cost Breakdown by Category

Each score runs 0–100, where higher means pricier. Representative prices shown per category.

Housing
48/100
1-Bed Apartment (City Center)$1,225/month
1-Bed Apartment (Outside Center)$950/month
3-Bed Apartment (City Center)$2,150/month
Food & Groceries
52/100
Milk (1 liter)$1.15/liter
Bread (500g loaf)$2.8/loaf
Rice (1 kg)$2/kg
Transportation
48/100
Monthly Transit Pass$70/month
One-Way Ticket$1.25/trip
Taxi (1 km)$1.8/km
Utilities
48/100
Basic (Elec, Heat, Water, Garbage) 85m2$180/month
Internet (60+ Mbps)$55/month
Mobile Plan (10GB+)$65/month
Healthcare
65/100
Doctor Visit (15 min)$120/visit
Dentist Visit$140/visit
Prescription Medicine (avg)$25/course
Education
58/100
Preschool/Kindergarten (monthly)$650/month
International Primary School (yearly)$15,000/year
Language Course (12 weeks)$500/course
Entertainment
52/100
Cinema Ticket (1 seat)$13/ticket
Theater Ticket$45/ticket
Museum Entry$18/ticket
Clothing
58/100
Jeans (Levi's or similar)$70/pair
Summer Dress (Zara/H&M)$45/piece
Running Shoes (Nike/Adidas)$100/pair
Personal Care
48/100
Haircut (Men)$25/cut
Haircut (Women)$50/cut
Shampoo (400ml)$6/bottle
Dining Out
48/100
Meal at Inexpensive Restaurant$14/meal
Meal for 2 (Mid-Range)$65/meal
McMeal at McDonald's$10/meal
Childcare
55/100
Full-Day Daycare (monthly)$950/month
Babysitter (per hour)$18/hour
Pack of Diapers (60 ct)$22/pack
Fitness & Sports
52/100
Gym Membership (monthly)$50/month
Tennis Court Rent (1 hr)$22/hour
Swimming Pool (adult entry)$10/entry

Digital Nomad Profile

315 Mbps
Internet Speed
$274
Coworking/Month
good
Café WiFi
high
English Level
small
Nomad Community
42/100
Walkability

Best neighborhoods: Montrose, Midtown, Heights

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Houston cheap to live in?

Houston has a cost of living index of 32/100, where New York = 100. It is 68% cheaper than New York. A single person can live comfortably for approximately $1,160–$1,624 per month.

How much does rent cost in Houston?

A 1-bedroom apartment in the city center of Houston costs approximately $1,225/month. Outside the center, expect to pay around $950/month.

Is Houston good for digital nomads?

Houston has a small digital nomad community. Average internet speed is 315 Mbps, café wifi reliability is good, and coworking spaces run about $274/month. English proficiency is high.

What is the average salary in Houston?

The median net monthly salary in Houston is approximately $3,850 USD. The income tax rate is around 0%.

How does Houston compare to New York for cost of living?

Houston (cost index 32) is 68% cheaper than New York (cost index 100). You could save roughly $1,700/month by moving from New York to Houston.

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