Houston, Texas has an overall cost of living index of 99.7, which is 0.3 points below the US average of 100 — making it about average versus most American cities. Renters pay a median of $1,361 per month, while the typical home is valued around $277,800. Households earn a median of $64,813 per year, leaving rent at a manageable share of income for many residents. Air quality is moderate, with an average AQI of 59. Below: housing costs, local wages by occupation, neighborhoods, climate, jobs and major industries, and healthcare access — all drawn from US Census, BEA, BLS, HUD, EPA, and NOAA data.
Median Household Income
$64,813
Annual · Census ACS
Median Gross Rent
$1,361
Per month · Census ACS
Median Home Value
$277,800
Census ACS
Cost of Living Index
99.7
BEA RPP · US avg = 100
Studio FMR
$1,280
HUD Fair Market Rent
1BR Fair Market Rent
$1,323
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
$1,573
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
$2,116
HUD FMR
HUD Fair Market Rent = 40th percentile gross rent · FY2024
Each category is indexed to the US average of 100. Below 100 = cheaper than average.
Overall
99.7
Goods
101.7
Rents / Housing
106.3
Services
94.9
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (metro-level)
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| 💻Software Developer | $128,060 |
| 🏥Registered Nurse | $96,730 |
| 📚Elementary Teacher | $62,490 |
| ⚡Electrician | $59,060 |
| 📊Accountant | $94,290 |
| 🔧Plumber | $60,950 |
| ⚕️Nurse Practitioner | $256,900 |
| 🏗️Civil Engineer | $110,460 |
| 👔Operations Manager | $138,980 |
| 📈Market Research Analyst | $67,100 |
| 🏢Health Services Manager | $131,510 |
| 🚛Truck Driver | $57,170 |
| 👨⚕️Physician Assistant | N/A |
| 🩺Surgeon | N/A |
| 🧮Data Scientist | N/A |
| 🖥️Computer Engineer | $122,570 |
Source: BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
Population
2,328,253
Latest estimate
Median Age
34.4 yrs
Census ACS
Average AQI
59.0
Source: EPA AirNow
Total Neighborhoods
5
Tracked in our database
Avg Walk Score
N/A
0–100 scale
Avg Median Rent
$1,789
Per month
Avg Home Value
$724,360
Census ACS
January Avg
53°F
July Avg
85°F
Sunny Days / Year
—
Annual Snowfall
—
Climate category: Subtropical · Source: NOAA/NCEI 30-year normals.
Healthcare Score
28.2
poor
Hospitals
28
Doctors per 1,000
1.00
Insurance Coverage
76.3%
What is the cost of living index for Houston?
Houston has a Regional Price Parity (RPP) index of 99.7. The US national average is 100, so Houston is 0.3 points below the national average.
What is the median rent in Houston?
The median gross rent in Houston is $1,361 per month according to US Census ACS data.
What is the median household income in Houston?
The median household income in Houston is $64,813 per year.
What is the median home value in Houston?
The median home value in Houston is $277,800 based on the latest Census ACS survey.
How is the air quality in Houston?
Houston has an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 59.0, which is rated "Moderate" by the EPA. Lower AQI values indicate cleaner air.
What are the taxes like in Houston?
Tax data for Texas is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
