Cost of Living in Houston, United States
Houston is a city in United States, where a single person can expect to spend about $2,460 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $1,708 per month, or $1,321 outside the centre. Internet is fast at around 303 Mbps median download speed. On safety, Houston scores 36/100 — below average on safety for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 95°F and winter highs around 66°F, with roughly 217 sunny days a year.
Houston Cost of Living Breakdown
🍽️ Dining
🛒 Groceries
🚌 Transportation
⚡ Utilities & Tech
🎬 Lifestyle
👔 Clothing
🏠 Housing
📊 Summary
Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Houston
How Houston Ranks Among 340 Cities
Of the 340 cities Voyica tracks, Houston ranks in the top 5% for healthcare, but sits in the bottom 10% for safety. It costs more than 81% of them.
| Metric | Houston | World rank | Rank in United States & Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $2,460 | #276 of 340 | #37 of 80 |
| Safety | 36/100 | #307 of 340 | #67 of 80 |
| Healthcare | 92/100 | #14 of 340 | #14 of 80 |
| Internet speed | 303 Mbps | #13 of 340 | #1 of 80 |
| Walkability | 35/100 | #281 of 340 | #62 of 80 |
| Public transit | 35/100 | #172 of 340 | #32 of 80 |
| Food scene | 85/100 | #64 of 340 | #13 of 80 |
| Air quality | 75/100 | #250 of 340 | #74 of 80 |
Rank 1 = most affordable, safest, and so on. Computed across every city in Voyica's dataset (June 2026 snapshot); ties share a rank.
Cheaper Alternatives to Houston
Cities with a similar mix of safety, food, culture, walkability and climate that cost at least 15% less per month than Houston.
- Baltimore, United States — $2,071/mo, 16% cheaper, safety 28/100
- Santa Fe, United States — $2,040/mo, 17% cheaper, safety 50/100
- Niagara Falls, Canada — $1,700/mo, 31% cheaper, safety 80/100
- Wilmington, United States — $1,849/mo, 25% cheaper, safety 40/100
Houston FAQ
How much does it cost to live in Houston?
A single person should budget around $2,460 per month in Houston, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs. A family of four typically needs about $4,091 per month excluding rent.
How much is rent in Houston?
A one-bedroom apartment in central Houston averages $1,708 per month, dropping to about $1,321 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $3,164.
Is Houston safe?
Houston scores 36/100 on safety, which is below average on safety. Tourist safety is rated 55/100.
How fast is the internet in Houston?
Median download speeds in Houston are around 303 Mbps — fast for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 60 coworking spaces in the city.
Does United States offer a digital nomad visa?
United States does not currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa. US passport holders should check current entry requirements before traveling.
What is the weather like in Houston?
Houston sees summer highs around 95°F and winter highs near 66°F, with about 217 mostly sunny days a year and at least 1 mm of rain on about 81 days.
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