Houston, Texas is an excellent place for people looking to start their life over. With the third-lowest cost of living in the US, it’s much easier on your wallet than in other major cities like New York City or San Francisco. As far as the job market goes, Houston has one of the best rates in the country and will be sure to satisfy anyone who wants a long career.
Cost of Living in Houston
1. Rent
If buying a house is not in your budget, then renting can be a good option. Renting a Studio Apartment can cost you around $700 per month. A one-bedroom apartment in Houston will cost about $800 – $900 a month.
Rent prices will vary depending on what kind of apartment you’re interested in renting, but typically they range from $500-$1500/month + Utilities.
Houston’s median rent prices are much lower than other major cities, and, as a result, living here is cheaper than what you would find anywhere else. With about 20% of the population living below the poverty line, locals understand that having affordable options for housing helps them keep their head above water financially.
Rent prices range from $800-$1000 per month for a studio apartment up to about $2000+ per month for luxury apartments downtown.
2. Home Prices in Houston
In Houston, the median price for a two-bedroom apartment is $13,000. If you are moving to Houston Texas, the average home can cost you about $212,000. With these prices, it’s easy to see why Houstonians are so happy with their lifestyles despite lower wages than Silicon Valley or Wall Street.
Costs for housing in Houston vary greatly depending on the neighborhood that you choose to call home. The closer your residence is located near Downtown, the more likely it will be expensive than if it was out in one of the suburban areas like Katy or Sugar Land.
3. Transportation
You can buy a 30 days Metro pass, which will cost you around $25. Taking a cab is also an option, but it will not be cheap. A one-way trip from Downtown to Midtown costs about $18-$20 and can take anywhere between 15 minutes to 45 minutes, depending on the time of day and traffic conditions.
Driving or taking Uber/Lyft would be your best option if you need to travel long distances as they are relatively inexpensive compared to owning a car in Houston. However, even these services vary in prices based on location and demand, so always check for rates before booking them. Car Insurance can quickly go up from $50 per month to well over that number because you live within Houston proper.
The cheapest way to get around is by public transportation. Depending on where you live, this can consist of bus or rail systems with varying degrees of frequency and inconvenience levels.
4. Food
Houston has a diverse population with an eclectic mix of cultures, so there are many options for food. The Tex-Mex and BBQ scenes have been growing in popularity over the last decade, but you can still find authentic Vietnamese, Thai, or Chinese dishes as well.
Top restaurants include Roost (Denver Ave), Killen’s Barbecue (Hwy 290 East), Yauatcha (Westheimer Rd).
Money tip: Out of all the major cities we studied, Houston was the most affordable for grocery shopping. You’ll enjoy that while living here! Houston Restaurants are costlier than other cities.
5.Utilities
Once you have moved into your apartment, paying for the utilities, i.e., Utility bills like water, electricity, etc., becomes a routine. The average utility bill for a Studio Apartment will be around $65-120.
6. Taxes
Texas residents who live in Houston will have to pay property taxes and state income tax. If you are a resident but don’t plan on living there year-round, then they should file for nonresident withholding so that the IRS knows how much money is owed on their behalf. The tax rates vary depending on what type of residence you own (i.e., single-family vs. condo).
Federal Income Tax: All US citizens residing in Houston will need to file federal income taxes each year with the IRS by April 15th.”
Job Market in Houston
Houston is a popular city for people to relocate to. It has many job opportunities in the medical field, oil and gas industry, engineering jobs, or even NASA at Johnson Space Center.
Types of Jobs available
Houston’s job market is ranked first in Texas and third in the country. This city provides employment opportunities for everyone from accountants to engineers, business managers to public school teachers.”
Here are a few jobs available: “accountant,” “business manager,” “public school teacher,” “engineer.””
A list of possible jobs can be found on Indeed, as well as information about what it takes to get hired.
Accountant: you need an accounting degree or CPA certificate; your salary ranges from $45k-$130k with bonuses paid for high performance! (Indeed) –
Business Manager: You must have at least two years’ experience and relevant education, but there are no specific degrees required; salaries
Conclusion
Houston is a great place to live with an abundance of employment opportunities no matter what career you are after and an affordable living cost.
