Cost of Living in Houston
United States
Monthly budget (single)
$2,154–$3,410/month
$2,154 – $3,410 (local currency)
Last updated: 2026-03
Can you afford to live in Houston?
Enter your monthly take-home in USD. We compare it to typical budgets for your household size (estimates, not financial advice).
Cost breakdown
| Category | USD | Local currency |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1-bed, city center) | $1,615–$2,513 | $1,615 – $2,513 |
| Rent (1-bed, outside center) | $853–$1,346 | $853 – $1,346 |
| Utilities (electricity, heating, water) | $67–$130 | $67 – $130 |
| Internet & Mobile | $27–$45 | $27 – $45 |
| Groceries (monthly) | $341–$512 | $341 – $512 |
| Eating out (per meal, mid-range) | $45–$81 | $45 – $81 |
| Coffee | $4–$5 | $4 – $5 |
| Public transport (monthly pass) | $85–$103 | $85 – $103 |
| Gym membership | $31–$58 | $31 – $58 |
| Cinema ticket | $13–$16 | $13 – $16 |
Budget scenarios
Single
$2,154–$3,410/mo USD
$2,154 – $3,410
Top expenses
- Rent (1-bed center): ~$2,513/mo
- Groceries: ~$512/mo
- Transport: ~$103/mo
Couple
$3,410–$5,205/mo USD
$3,410 – $5,205
Top expenses
- Rent (1-bed center): ~$2,513/mo
- Groceries: ~$512/mo
- Transport: ~$103/mo
Family
$4,936–$7,628/mo USD
$4,936 – $7,628
Top expenses
- Rent (1-bed center): ~$2,513/mo
- Groceries: ~$512/mo
- Transport: ~$103/mo
Neighbourhood guide
Houston Center
CentralUrban core, transit access
Est. 1-bed rent: $2,019–$3,141/mo ($2,019 – $3,141)
Houston Midtown
CentralMixed residential
Est. 1-bed rent: $1,777–$2,764/mo ($1,777 – $2,764)
Houston Outer
SuburbanQuieter, family-friendly
Est. 1-bed rent: $1,292–$2,010/mo ($1,292 – $2,010)
Quality of life scores
Pros & cons
✅ Pros
- • Affordable housing
- • Diversity
- • Energy jobs
❌ Cons
- • Humidity
- • Hurricanes
- • Sprawl
Similar cities & cheaper alternatives
Cheaper alternatives
Compare Houston with another city
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Estimates are for comparison only and do not constitute financial advice. Sources include our internal dataset and periodic third-party index updates.