Houston, TX Relocation Guide (2026)
Cost of living, housing, and income data for Houston, sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Salary needed to live in Houston →
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Last updated July 2026.
With a population near 2,296,253, Houston, Texas sits below the multi-city income median: households earn a typical $60,440 per year (-16% vs. that benchmark).
Home values in Houston run a median $235,000, below the benchmark across cities in our dataset (-28%). Renters see a median monthly cost of $1,235. Mortgage rates and property taxes are worth checking before you commit either way.
Home prices in Houston run about 3.9× median household income — a middle-of-the-road ratio, neither a bargain nor a stretch by our tracked standards. The local housing market has held steady, with prices up only 0.62% over the past year. FEMA classifies Houston's hazard risk as Very High. That elevated rating is a major driver of home insurance premiums in the area.
Personal Affordability Check
Renting at $1,235/mo in Houston would take 24.5% of your income.
$276/mo under the 30% guideline.
Buying the median home ($235,000) would take 24.9% of your income toward principal & interest.
$156/mo under the 28% guideline.
Cost of housing in Houston
Median home value is $235,000 and median gross rent is $1,235/month. For buyers, monthly costs depend heavily on current mortgage rates — worth checking before you commit.
FHFA's county-level home price index for Harris rose 0.62% over the past year (as of 2025).
HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit in the surrounding county is $1,573/month.
Climate & home insurance
FEMA rates Houston's overall natural-hazard risk as Very High. Risk level is a major driver of home insurance premiums.
Safety
Houston reported a violent crime rate of 887.6 per 100,000 residents in 2025, per FBI data.
Moving to Houston
Planning a move to Houston? Compare licensed movers and get quotes based on your origin and move date.
Explore neighborhoods in Houston →
Cost estimates for moving between Houston and nearby popular destinations:
- Moving from Houston to Austin
- Moving from Houston to Dallas
- Moving from Houston to Miami
- Moving from Houston to Los Angeles
Frequently asked questions
- What is the cost of living in Houston, TX?
- For a quick read on Houston: homes carry a median value of $235,000, rent runs a median $1,235 monthly, and household income is a median $60,440, all from the US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022).
- How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Houston?
- Houston's median rent of $1,235/month works out to roughly $49,400 in annual income needed, if you're budgeting the standard 30% of gross pay toward rent. See the full salary breakdown (renting and buying) for Houston.
- Is it better to rent or buy in Houston?
- In Houston, comfortably renting the median unit ($1,235/month) takes about $49,400 in annual income, while buying the median home ($235,000) takes roughly $53,767 a year in principal and interest alone (assumes 20% down, a 30-year fixed loan, and current mortgage rates).
- Is Houston safe?
- Houston's violent crime rate, per FBI reporting for 2025, stands at 887.6 per 100,000 residents.
See the full salary breakdown for Houston →
Compare Houston to similar cities
- Austin vs Houston: Cost of Living & Housing Comparison
- Dallas vs Houston: Cost of Living & Housing Comparison
- Houston vs Miami: Cost of Living & Housing Comparison
- Houston vs Los Angeles: Cost of Living & Housing Comparison
Cities with a similar cost of living
Matched on median rent and household income within 15% of Houston's.