When moving anywhere, it is important to prepare a budget to see what your estimated monthly costs will look like. And, for anyone moving to the supersized city of Houston, pre-planning your expenses will teach you what to expect when putting down roots in the Lone Star State. Luckily, our handy guide will help you figure out the cost of living in Houston, TX so that you know what you can expect to spend on everything from a carton of eggs to a Wifi router. And, with that all planned out, you’ll free up more time for the fun stuff — like figuring out how big of a TV can fit in your new living room.
Related: The Best Restaurants in Downtown Houston
Cost of Living in Houston, TX
Cost of Rent in Houston
Average rent = $1,355
While the cost will, of course, change depending on the size of your new place and what neighborhood you end up choosing to live in, the average rent per month in Houston is $1,355. Housing costs in this city look rather affordable when compared with both the rest of the country and similar cities, ringing in at 17% cheaper than the U.S. average for buying and renting combined and 60.2% lower for rent than New York City. The more expensive neighborhoods in Houston include The Heights and Memorial, while better deals pop up in Midtown and Downtown. But, with a mix of condos, apartments, and single-family homes all available for rent within the Houston area, residents can choose from lots of affordable options.
Cost of Utilities in Houston
Average utilities = $195 for a 950 sq. ft. apartment
Depending on which utilities your landlord covers, if any, and how much you use each service, living in Houston will require, at minimum, some standard utilities, such as electricity, gas, water, and garbage removal. The cost for those services per month within the city comes in at around $195 for an average-sized apartment. The biggest cost within that bracket, the electric bill, runs much higher during the summer months. However, depending on whether you live in an apartment building, condo, or house, you may have the freedom to choose your provider and, therefore, to shop around for the best deal. In terms of the water bill, you should prepare to pay between $35 to $90 per month.
Additionally, some people consider the internet a utility payment, which we did not include in the estimate above. In Houston, monthly Wifi costs can run between $40 and $130, depending on the plan and service provider, so add a line for that in your budget as you decide what kind of internet plan works best for you.
Food & Dining Costs
Monthly grocery bill for one person = $381
Everything is bigger in Texas — and that includes the number of grocery stores a person in Houston can choose from. Whether you shop at H.E.B., Costco, Aldi, Kroger’s, or Sam’s Club, a single adult in Houston should expect to spend around $381 per month on groceries. With an average price of $3.98 for a loaf of bread and $4.69 for a gallon of milk, groceries constitute roughly 8% of a Houstonian’s monthly budget. If that sounds like a lot, keep in mind that the cost of food in the city is still 2% cheaper than the national average.
However, with all of the city’s amazing eateries, groceries are not the only food cost you’ll want to keep in mind when budgeting. On average, you can expect to spend $20 per person per meal at an inexpensive restaurant, while a three-course meal for two people at a mid-range restaurant could cost around $80.
Median Salary in Houston
Median salary = $62,000
With all of the costs related to living in Houston, you would expect a salary to reflect those standards of living, and the median income of $62,000 per person certainly does. Texas doesn’t charge a state income tax, so more of those earnings go directly into your pocket. The higher paying jobs in Houston cluster around the city’s most popular and prosperous fields, such as oil and gas, technology, and medicine.
How Much Does It Cost to Live in Houston Per Month?
Total average cost = $2,900
For the bare minimum of expenses (rent, utilities, and groceries), a single adult will pay about $1,931 per month. After adding internet, a phone plan, restaurant dining, streaming services, car payments, insurance, and whatever other additional bills you pay monthly, that number jumps up. When added together, the average cost of living per month comes in at around $2,886. A family of four, however, should expect to budget around $6,120 per month. This amount might make the cost of living in Houston 2% higher than the state average, but overall, it still remains 6% lower than the average cost of living in the United States as a whole.
Keep in mind as you do your research that different sources will produce different numbers because they all factor in their own list of basic expenses. You will need to determine your monthly budget according to your own needs. A larger apartment in a popular neighborhood, a car payment, or childcare will change your budget significantly, so list every possible expense as you plan. It’s better to over plan and end up with a final budget lower than what you expected than the other way around.
| Average Rent for a One-Bedroom Apartment | $1,355 |
| Utilities | $195 |
| Food (Groceries for One Person) | $381 |
| Internet, Phone, Car, Insurance, Recreation, etc. | Varies by plan, usage, or personal choices |
| Total | $1,931 (for basic necessities only) |
Advice for Moving to Houston
Should You Rent or Buy?
As you choose what type of housing you want to live in – house, apartment, condo, or townhouse – you’ll need to weigh the pros and cons of each option as they apply to your personal life circumstances. And, simultaneously, you will need to decide whether you want to rent or buy the place you’ll call home. For more guidance on making that decision, check out this handy resource about renting versus buying.
Moving Tips
Anyone who has ever packed up their life in a U-Haul knows the stress and challenges that come with moving. Fitting your life into numerous boxes and taking it all from one location to another can become a real headache. While we can’t eliminate all of the exhaustion inherent in moving, we can help you streamline the process with our collection of articles that provide numerous moving tips & tricks.
Exploring Houston
While convincing your friends to help load your bed frame into your truck might require some effort on your part, convincing them to explore your new city with you will be easy, especially when that city is Houston. With so much to do, see, eat, and drink, even H-Town life-long natives can’t possibly do it all. Learn about the best things to do in Houston and what it’s like to live here in the Houston section of our blog. Even better, peruse those articles with a craft beer in hand at one of the best breweries in Houston.
Get Free VIP Apartment Hunting Assistance
Want to make your relocation to Houston simpler than breaking down all those moving boxes? Now that you know all about the cost of living in Houston, TX, schedule a chat with one of AptAmigo’s expert agents, who will help you find the apartment of your dreams based on your lifestyle, needs, and preferences.
