Houston, United States

Cost of Living in Houston, United States

Quick answer: As of 2026, living in Houston costs approximately $2,460 per month for one person, with city-centre one-bedroom rent averaging $1,708. Actual costs vary with lifestyle, neighborhood, and exchange rates.

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 314 sunny days a year.

LGBTQ+ friendlyFamily friendlySafe tap waterMajor airport hub
Monthly Cost$2,460≈ $82/day
1BR Rent (Centre)$1,708
Internet303 Mbps
Safety36/100
Avg Temp81°F

Houston Cost of Living Breakdown

🍽️ Dining

Inexpensive Restaurant$20
Mid-Range Restaurant (2 People)$80
McDonald's Combo Meal$10
Cappuccino$5.53
Domestic Beer (Restaurant)$6
Bottled Water (Restaurant)$2.09

🛒 Groceries

Milk (1 Liter)$0.89
Bread (1 lb Loaf)$2.99
Eggs (12)$4.57
Chicken Fillets (1 lb)$5.28
Apples (1 lb)$1.90
Bananas (1 lb)$0.75
Tomatoes (1 lb)$1.29
Potatoes (1 lb)$1.34
Water (1.5L Bottle)$2.28
Wine (Mid-Range Bottle)$12.24
Cigarettes (Marlboro)$9.46

🚌 Transportation

One-Way Ticket$1.25
Monthly Transit Pass$75
Taxi Start$2.91
Taxi (1 Mile)$2.31
Gasoline (1 Liter)$0.73
VW Golf (New)$36,232

⚡ Utilities & Tech

Basic Utilities (Monthly)$214.11
Mobile Phone Plan$64.44
Broadband Internet$71.58

🎬 Lifestyle

Gym Membership (Monthly)$38.57
Cinema Ticket$14.50
Preschool (Monthly)$2,282.14
Intl. Primary School (Annual)$22,233.33

👔 Clothing

Jeans (Levi's 501)$46
Nike Running Shoes$102.18

🏠 Housing

Rent 1BR (City Centre)$1,707.75
Rent 1BR (Outside Centre)$1,320.56
Rent 3BR (City Centre)$3,164.05
Rent 3BR (Outside Centre)$2,408.59
Buy Price/sqft (Centre)$236.28
Buy Price/sqft (Outside)$179.99

📊 Summary

Avg Monthly Net Salary$4,613.79
Mortgage Interest Rate6.4%
Family of 4 (Monthly, excl. rent)$4,090.90
Single Person (Monthly, excl. rent)$1,139.10

Cost data sourced from Numbeo.

Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Houston

Internet303 Mbps
Safety36/100
Healthcare92/100
Public Transit35/100
Walkability35/100
Nightlife68/100
Food Scene85/100
Fine Dining22/100
Coffee Culture68/100
Air Quality75/100
Green Spaces60/100
Culture72/100
Beaches30/100
Hiking15/100
Surfing5/100
Coworking Spaces60

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.

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 314 sunny days and 130 rainy days per year.

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