Cost of Living in Houston, TX
Cost indexes, living wages, and fair market rents — 2024 Data
Cost of Living Overview
Overall Index
116.4
100 = national avg
+16.4 vs national average
Living Wage (1 Adult)
$51,208
per year
Living Wage (Family of 4)
$121,037
per year
Cost Index by Category
Housing145.9
Food98.1
Transportation103.6
Healthcare98.5
Utilities108.0
100 = national average. Higher = more expensive.
Fair Market Rent
Source: HUD1 Bedroom
$1,323
per month
2 Bedroom
$1,573
per month
The overall cost of living index in Houston is 116.4, which is 16.4% above the national average. Housing costs are above the national average at an index of 145.9. A single adult needs to earn approximately $51,208 per year to cover basic expenses.