salaryHouston is the largest city in Texas that we track, with 2,300,419 residents. Rent is lower than in 52% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.0 years of household income. Most households rent (58%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $56,440 a year. That is $27 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Texas cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Texas. It is number 246 of 420 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Houston with other big cities
Compare Houston to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Houston?
Share of households by yearly income. 23.1% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Houston
| Size | Houston | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,142 | $1,185 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,156 | $1,180 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,375 | $1,338 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,664 | $1,500 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,893 | $1,861 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Houston overall?
Everyday prices in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands metro area are 1% below the U.S. average (index 98.6, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Houston
Life in Houston
What jobs pay in Houston
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $139,460 | 12.1% |
| Pharmacist | $139,010 | 12.2% |
| Physician Assistant | $134,840 | 12.6% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $133,140 | 12.7% |
| Software Developer | $127,940 | 13.2% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $114,260 | 14.8% |
| Operations Manager | $108,090 | 15.7% |
| Dental Hygienist | $103,050 | 16.4% |
| Civil Engineer | $98,690 | 17.2% |
| Registered Nurse | $97,810 | 17.3% |
| Accountant | $81,290 | 20.8% |
| Police Officer | $75,450 | 22.4% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $61,950 | 27.3% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $61,700 | 27.4% |
| Market Research Analyst | $60,900 | 27.8% |
| Plumber | $60,230 | 28.1% |
| Firefighter | $59,820 | 28.3% |
| Electrician | $59,180 | 28.6% |
| HVAC Technician | $57,910 | 29.2% |
| Truck Driver | $55,500 | 30.5% |
| Carpenter | $48,910 | 34.6% |
| Medical Assistant | $42,930 | 39.4% |
| Customer Service Representative | $39,310 | 43.1% |
| Warehouse Worker | $37,600 | 45.0% |
| Nursing Assistant | $36,940 | 45.8% |
| Restaurant Cook | $33,760 | 50.2% |
| Retail Salesperson | $30,260 | 56.0% |
| Cashier | $28,460 | 59.5% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $26,830 | 63.1% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Houston?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $347 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $253,400 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $25,340 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Houston, TX?
People who moved into a rental in Houston since 2021 pay a median of $1,411 a month, including utilities. The Texas median is $1,322.
How much do I need to make to live in Houston?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $56,440 a year, or $27 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Houston cheap or expensive?
Houston is rated OK: rent takes 26.9% of the typical household income of $62,894. It ranks 246th cheapest of 420 Texas cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Houston?
The median homeowner in Houston pays $4,003 a year in property taxes, about 1.58% of the median home value.
Is Houston more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 1% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Houston?
The median home value in Houston is $253,400, about 4.0 times the typical yearly household income.
2,300,419 people live in Houston. Numbers are typical (middle) values.