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Cost of Living Data profile

Cost of Living in Texas: Rent, Housing & Income

  • Official data · Census ACS 2024 · BEA 2024 · EIA July–September 2026
Updated  7 sources

Cost of living vs. U.S. average (2024)

2.9% below

Cost of living in Texas is 2.9% below the U.S. average, based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis 2024 Regional Price Parities for Texas (index 97.1; U.S. = 100). Median rent in Texas is $1,475 a month.

Cost of living in Texas by category

Overall prices

97.1U.S. = 100

Regional price parity, all items

−2.9% vs. U.S.

Goods
98.1 −1.9%
Housing (rents)
96.5 −3.5%
Utilities
87.5 −12.5%
Other services
97.1 −2.9%

BEA 2024 · Texas Details: Overall prices

Housing

$1,475/mo

Median gross rent

About the same as U.S.

1-bedroom rent
$1,307 About the same as U.S.
2-bedroom rent
$1,475 About the same as U.S.
3-bedroom rent
$1,729 +3% vs. U.S.
Median home value
$313,200 −13% vs. U.S.
Owner costs, mortgage
$2,211 +9% vs. U.S.

Census ACS 2024 Details: Housing

Utilities

$176/mo

Average electric bill

+12% vs. U.S.

Electricity price
15.9¢/kWh −13% vs. U.S.
Natural gas, 12-mo avg.
$27.17/Mcf +40% vs. U.S.
Utilities price index
87.5

EIA July 2026 · Texas Details: Utilities

Transportation

27.5min

Mean travel time to work

About the same as U.S.

Commute mode: drove alone
71.8%
Work from home
12.9%
Gasoline (Texas)
$3.80/gal −13% vs. U.S.

Census ACS 2024 · EIA September 2026 Details: Transportation

Food at home

$1,388/mo

Moderate-cost plan, family of 4

Thrifty plan, family of 4
$1,024/mo
Liberal plan, family of 4
$1,679/mo
Moderate plan, single woman
$403/mo
Moderate plan, single man
$478/mo

USDA August 2026 · U.S. average Details: Food at home

Child care

$144/wk

Center care, infant

−17% vs. U.S.

Center care, toddler
$136/wk −11% vs. U.S.
Center care, preschool
$133/wk −8% vs. U.S.
Home-based care, infant
$131/wk −9% vs. U.S.

DOL NDCP 2022 prices · Texas county median Details: Child care

Income

$79,721/yr

Median household income

About the same as U.S.

Median rent as share of income
22%
Home value to income
3.9×

Census ACS 2024 Details: Income

Housing costs in Texas

Median gross rent in Texas is $1,475 a month, about the same as the U.S. median of $1,487. The median falls in the $1,250–$1,499 range, which holds 17.1% of renter households paying cash rent. Another 48.3% pay $1,500 or more.

The median owner-occupied home is valued at $313,200, and 4.4% of homes are valued at $1,000,000 or more.

Housing costs: Texas vs. U.S.

Median monthly rent

Median monthly rent Texas: $1,475; U.S.: $1,487 Texas $1,475 U.S. $1,487

Monthly owner costs

Monthly owner costs Texas: $2,211; U.S.: $2,035 Texas $2,211 U.S. $2,035

Median home value

Median home value Texas: $313,200; U.S.: $360,600 Texas $313,200 U.S. $360,600
Show the data table
MeasureTexasU.S.
Median monthly rent$1,475$1,487
Monthly owner costs$2,211$2,035
Median home value$313,200$360,600

Rent is median gross rent; owner costs are for homes with a mortgage. American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

What renters pay in Texas

What renters pay in Texas Share of renter households paying cash rent in Texas by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $500, holds 3.9%; the top range, $3,500 or more, holds 1.6%. Median $1,475. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 10% 20% 30% Less than $500: 3.9% (U.S.: 6.1%) $500–$749: 4.6% (U.S.: 6.8%) $750–$999: 10.4% (U.S.: 11.5%) $1,000–$1,249: 15.8% (U.S.: 13.5%) $1,250–$1,499: 17.1% (U.S.: 12.9%) $1,500–$1,999: 27.5% (U.S.: 22.2%) $2,000–$2,499: 12.7% (U.S.: 13.2%) $2,500–$2,999: 4.7% (U.S.: 6.5%) $3,000–$3,499: 1.8% (U.S.: 3.2%) $3,500 or more: 1.6% (U.S.: 4.2%) $500–750 $1–1.25K $1.5–2K $2.5–3K $3.5K+ Median $1,475 (Texas) 27.5%
Show the data table
RangeTexasU.S.
Less than $5003.9%6.1%
$500–$7494.6%6.8%
$750–$99910.4%11.5%
$1,000–$1,24915.8%13.5%
$1,250–$1,49917.1%12.9%
$1,500–$1,99927.5%22.2%
$2,000–$2,49912.7%13.2%
$2,500–$2,9994.7%6.5%
$3,000–$3,4991.8%3.2%
$3,500 or more1.6%4.2%

Share of renter households paying cash rent. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B25063. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Home values in Texas

Home values in Texas Share of owner-occupied homes in Texas by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $100,000, holds 11.3%; the top range, $1,500,000 or more, holds 2%. Median $313,200. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% Less than $100,000: 11.3% (U.S.: 10.2%) $100,000–$149,999: 6.2% (U.S.: 5.7%) $150,000–$199,999: 8.7% (U.S.: 7.5%) $200,000–$249,999: 10.3% (U.S.: 8.4%) $250,000–$299,999: 11.1% (U.S.: 8.5%) $300,000–$399,999: 18.6% (U.S.: 15.9%) $400,000–$499,999: 11.4% (U.S.: 12%) $500,000–$749,999: 13% (U.S.: 16.3%) $750,000–$999,999: 5% (U.S.: 7.5%) $1,000,000–$1,499,999: 2.4% (U.S.: 4.3%) $1,500,000 or more: 2% (U.S.: 3.7%) <$100K $100–150K $150–200K $250–300K $400–500K $500–750K $750K–1M $1.5M+ Median $313,200 (Texas) 18.6%
Show the data table
RangeTexasU.S.
Less than $100,00011.3%10.2%
$100,000–$149,9996.2%5.7%
$150,000–$199,9998.7%7.5%
$200,000–$249,99910.3%8.4%
$250,000–$299,99911.1%8.5%
$300,000–$399,99918.6%15.9%
$400,000–$499,99911.4%12%
$500,000–$749,99913%16.3%
$750,000–$999,9995%7.5%
$1,000,000–$1,499,9992.4%4.3%
$1,500,000 or more2%3.7%

Share of owner-occupied homes. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B25075. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Monthly housing costs in Texas

Measure Texas U.S.
Median rent (all units) $1,475$1,487
1-bedroom rent $1,307$1,301
2-bedroom rent $1,475$1,490
3-bedroom rent $1,729$1,677
Owner costs with a mortgage $2,211$2,035

Median gross rent includes utilities the renter pays. Owner costs include the mortgage, taxes, insurance, and utilities. American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

How affordable is Texas?

At the median, rent takes about 22% of household income in Texas. Housing experts treat 30% as the limit before a household is considered cost-burdened. To keep the median rent at 30% of income, a household would need to earn about $59,000 a year.

The median home is worth $313,200, or 3.9 times the median household income.

Household income in Texas

The median household in Texas earns $79,721 a year, about the same as the U.S. median of $81,604. About 13.2% of households earn $200,000 or more, while 14.4% earn less than $25,000.

Median household income: Texas vs. U.S.

Median household income (yearly)

Median household income (yearly) Texas: $79,721; U.S.: $81,604 Texas $79,721 U.S. $81,604
Show the data table
MeasureTexasU.S.
Median household income (yearly)$79,721$81,604

American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Household income distribution in Texas

Household income distribution in Texas Share of households in Texas by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $10,000, holds 5.3%; the top range, $200,000 or more, holds 13.2%. Median $79,721. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 5% 10% 15% Less than $10,000: 5.3% (U.S.: 5.1%) $10,000–$14,999: 3.2% (U.S.: 3.3%) $15,000–$19,999: 2.7% (U.S.: 2.8%) $20,000–$24,999: 3.2% (U.S.: 3.2%) $25,000–$29,999: 3.1% (U.S.: 3%) $30,000–$34,999: 3.5% (U.S.: 3.3%) $35,000–$39,999: 3.2% (U.S.: 3.2%) $40,000–$44,999: 3.7% (U.S.: 3.5%) $45,000–$49,999: 3.1% (U.S.: 3.2%) $50,000–$59,999: 6.6% (U.S.: 6.4%) $60,000–$74,999: 9.7% (U.S.: 9.2%) $75,000–$99,999: 12.7% (U.S.: 12.6%) $100,000–$124,999: 10.1% (U.S.: 10.4%) $125,000–$149,999: 7.2% (U.S.: 7.4%) $150,000–$199,999: 9.5% (U.S.: 9.7%) $200,000 or more: 13.2% (U.S.: 13.7%) $10–15K $20–25K $30–35K $40–45K $50–60K $75–100K $125–150K $200K+ Median $79,721 (Texas) 13.2%
Show the data table
RangeTexasU.S.
Less than $10,0005.3%5.1%
$10,000–$14,9993.2%3.3%
$15,000–$19,9992.7%2.8%
$20,000–$24,9993.2%3.2%
$25,000–$29,9993.1%3%
$30,000–$34,9993.5%3.3%
$35,000–$39,9993.2%3.2%
$40,000–$44,9993.7%3.5%
$45,000–$49,9993.1%3.2%
$50,000–$59,9996.6%6.4%
$60,000–$74,9999.7%9.2%
$75,000–$99,99912.7%12.6%
$100,000–$124,99910.1%10.4%
$125,000–$149,9997.2%7.4%
$150,000–$199,9999.5%9.7%
$200,000 or more13.2%13.7%

Share of households. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B19001. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Income and home values

Measure Texas U.S.
Median household income (yearly) $79,721$81,604
Median home value $313,200$360,600

American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Price levels compared with the U.S.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis publishes Regional Price Parities: price levels for the same basket of goods and services, with the U.S. average set to 100. In 2024, Texas scored 97.1 for all items. The highest category is goods at 98.1; the lowest is utilities at 87.5.

Regional price parities by category (U.S. = 100)

All items

All items Texas: 97.1; U.S.: 100.0 Texas 97.1 U.S. 100.0

Goods

Goods Texas: 98.1; U.S.: 99.6 Texas 98.1 U.S. 99.6

Housing (rents)

Housing (rents) Texas: 96.5; U.S.: 100.6 Texas 96.5 U.S. 100.6

Utilities

Utilities Texas: 87.5; U.S.: 98.4 Texas 87.5 U.S. 98.4

Other services

Other services Texas: 97.1; U.S.: 100.1 Texas 97.1 U.S. 100.1
Show the data table
MeasureTexasU.S.
All items97.1100.0
Goods98.199.6
Housing (rents)96.5100.6
Utilities87.598.4
Other services97.1100.1

Index, U.S. = 100. Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities, 2024. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities

Utilities and energy costs

Households in Texas paid an average of 15.9¢ per kWh for electricity in July 2026, compared with 18.3¢ nationally. Over the past 12 months the average residential bill was $176 a month (U.S.: $157). Residential natural gas averaged $27.17 per thousand cubic feet over the 12 months to July 2026 (U.S.: $19.40).

Energy prices: Texas vs. U.S.

Electricity price (¢/kWh)

Electricity price (¢/kWh) Texas: 15.9¢; U.S.: 18.3¢ Texas 15.9¢ U.S. 18.3¢

Average electric bill (monthly)

Average electric bill (monthly) Texas: $176; U.S.: $157 Texas $176 U.S. $157

Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf)

Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf) Texas: $27.17; U.S.: $19.40 Texas $27.17 U.S. $19.40
Show the data table
MeasureTexasU.S.
Electricity price (¢/kWh)15.9¢18.3¢
Average electric bill (monthly)$176$157
Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf)$27.17$19.40

Residential customers. Electricity price for July 2026; electric bill and natural gas are 12-month averages. U.S. Energy Information Administration. Sources: EIA Electric Power Monthly: residential retail sales; EIA Natural Gas Monthly: price delivered to residential consumers

Transportation and commuting

Workers in Texas who commute spend an average of 27.5 minutes getting to work (U.S.: 27.2 minutes). The most common way to get to work is to drive alone (71.8% of workers); 12.9% work from home. Regular gasoline averaged $3.80 a gallon in Texas in September 2026, compared with $4.36 nationally.

How workers get to work

How workers get to work Texas: Drove alone 71.8%, Carpooled 10.8%, Public transit 1%, Walked 1.6%, Bicycle 0.2%, Worked from home 12.9%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 1.7%. U.S.: Drove alone 69.2%, Carpooled 9.2%, Public transit 3.7%, Walked 2.4%, Bicycle 0.5%, Worked from home 13.3%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 1.7%. Most common in Texas: Drove alone. Texas Texas · Drove alone: 71.8% 71.8% Texas · Carpooled: 10.8% Texas · Public transit: 1% Texas · Walked: 1.6% Texas · Bicycle: 0.2% Texas · Worked from home: 12.9% 12.9% Texas · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 1.7% U.S. U.S. · Drove alone: 69.2% 69.2% U.S. · Carpooled: 9.2% U.S. · Public transit: 3.7% U.S. · Walked: 2.4% U.S. · Bicycle: 0.5% U.S. · Worked from home: 13.3% 13.3% U.S. · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 1.7%
Show the data table
Means of transportationTexasU.S.
Drove alone71.8%69.2%
Carpooled10.8%9.2%
Public transit1%3.7%
Walked1.6%2.4%
Bicycle0.2%0.5%
Worked from home12.9%13.3%
Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.)1.7%1.7%

Share of workers 16 and over. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B08301. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Travel time to work in Texas

Travel time to work in Texas Share of workers who do not work from home in Texas by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than 5 min, holds 2.6%; the top range, 90 min or more, holds 2.6%. Mean 27.5 min. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 5% 10% 15% Less than 5 min: 2.6% (U.S.: 2.8%) 5–9 min: 8.8% (U.S.: 9.4%) 10–14 min: 12.4% (U.S.: 13.1%) 15–19 min: 14.9% (U.S.: 15%) 20–24 min: 13.8% (U.S.: 14.1%) 25–29 min: 6.7% (U.S.: 7%) 30–34 min: 15% (U.S.: 13.7%) 35–39 min: 3.4% (U.S.: 3.4%) 40–44 min: 4.1% (U.S.: 4.1%) 45–59 min: 9.3% (U.S.: 8.3%) 60–89 min: 6.4% (U.S.: 6.3%) 90 min or more: 2.6% (U.S.: 3%) <5 5–9 10–14 15–19 20–24 25–29 30–34 35–39 40–44 45–59 60–89 90+ Mean 27.5 min (Texas) 15%
Show the data table
RangeTexasU.S.
Less than 5 min2.6%2.8%
5–9 min8.8%9.4%
10–14 min12.4%13.1%
15–19 min14.9%15%
20–24 min13.8%14.1%
25–29 min6.7%7%
30–34 min15%13.7%
35–39 min3.4%3.4%
40–44 min4.1%4.1%
45–59 min9.3%8.3%
60–89 min6.4%6.3%
90 min or more2.6%3%

Share of workers who do not work from home. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B08303. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Child care costs in Texas

In 2022, full-time center-based care for an infant had a median price of $144 a week in the median Texas county, or $7,488 over 52 weeks. That is 17% below the U.S. county median of $174. Prices are for 2022 and are not adjusted for inflation.

Weekly child care prices (2022)

Type of care Texas (county median) U.S. (county median)
Center-based care, infant $144$174
Center-based care, toddler $136$153
Center-based care, preschool $133$144
Center-based care, school-age $126$120
Home-based family care, infant $131$143
Home-based family care, toddler $126$132
Home-based family care, preschool $124$131
Home-based family care, school-age $120$118

Median weekly price for full-time care. State and U.S. figures are medians of county medians. Prices are for 2022 and are not adjusted for inflation. U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices. Source: National Database of Childcare Prices (U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau)

Food costs

USDA's moderate-cost food plan puts groceries for a family of four at $1,388 a month in August 2026; the thrifty plan comes to $1,024. USDA publishes these as national averages, not city figures, so they show a typical grocery budget rather than Texas prices.

Monthly cost of food at home (August 2026)

USDA food plan U.S. family of 4 U.S. couple U.S. single man U.S. single woman
Thrifty $1,024$630$383$304
Low-cost $1,126$652$381$331
Moderate-cost $1,388$808$478$403
Liberal $1,679$1,007$583$515

Family of 4: two adults and two children aged 6–8 and 9–11. For a single man, the Thrifty plan costs more than the Low-cost plan: USDA re-evaluated the Thrifty plan in 2021, while the other plans still use older market baskets. USDA Food and Nutrition Service, Official Food Plans, August 2026. Source: USDA Food Plans: Cost of Food at Home (monthly reports)

Frequently asked questions

What is the average rent in Texas?

Median rent is $1,307 for a one-bedroom and $1,475 for a two-bedroom unit, including utilities the renter pays.

How much do most renters pay in Texas?

Among renter households paying cash rent, 18.9% pay less than $1,000 a month, 60.4% pay $1,000 to $1,999, and 20.8% pay $2,000 or more (Census ACS 2024).

How much do you need to make to live in Texas?

To keep the median rent of $1,475 at no more than 30% of income, a household needs about $59,000 a year before taxes. This covers housing only.

Is Texas more expensive than the U.S. average?

No. The Bureau of Economic Analysis puts overall prices in Texas at 97.1 for 2024 (U.S. = 100), 2.9% below average. Housing rents score 96.5.

How long is the average commute in Texas?

27.5 minutes one way for workers who commute, compared with 27.2 minutes nationally (Census ACS 2024).

How much does infant day care cost in Texas?

The median price for full-time center-based infant care was $144 a week in the median Texas county in 2022, according to the Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices.