Living in Houston, Texas
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Houston · Census data 2020–2024
Houston has 2,328,253 residents with a median age of 34.4. The median household income is $64,813 (17% lower than the Texas median), the median home value is $277,800, the median rent is $1,361/month.
Houston at a glance
- Population
- 2,328,253
- Median age
- 34.4State: 35.6
- Median household income
- $64,813State: $78,476
- Median home value
- $277,800State: $283,800
- Median rent
- $1,361/moState: $1,403
- Homeowners
- 42.1%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 36.6%
- Average commute
- 27 min
Is Houston a good place to live?
Pros: Home values about the same as the state median.
Cons: Median household income 17% lower than the Texas median; an average commute of 27 minutes; unemployment of 6.9%; a poverty rate of 19.9%.
The weather is best in March–April and October–November.
Cost of living in Houston
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Houston the median home value is $277,800, 17% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,361 per month, which is 32.1% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,240 a month in housing costs.
Houston median household income
The median household income in Houston is $64,813 and the income per person is $42,430. 19.9% of residents live below the poverty line (Texas: 13.8%).
Housing in Houston: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 1,040,576
- Owner-occupied
- 42.1%
- Renter-occupied
- 57.9%
- Vacant
- 10.6%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1982
- Average household size
- 2.46
Houston demographics
- Population
- 2,328,253
- Median age
- 34.4
- Under 18
- 23.4%
- 65 and older
- 12.3%
- Households
- 930,404
- Foreign-born
- 29.3%
- Veterans
- 3.5%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Houston ›
Education in Houston
36.6% of adults 25 and older in Houston have a bachelor's degree or higher (Texas: 33.8%), and 15.1% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Houston
- Unemployment rate
- 6.9%State: 5.3%
- Average commute
- 27 minState: 27 min
- Work from home
- 13%
- Drive alone
- 67.7%
- Public transit
- 3.2%
- Walk to work
- 2%
- Homes with broadband
- 90.1%
Houston vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | 2,328,253 | $64,813 | $277,800 | $1,361 |
| West University Place | 14,982 | $250,001 | $1,472,000 | $3,501 |
| Hilshire Village | 1,220 | $250,001 | $1,086,700 | $3,501 |
| Southside Place | 1,706 | $162,885 | $1,699,100 | $1,856 |
| Hunters Creek Village | 4,390 | $250,001 | $2,000,001 | — |
| Spring Valley Village | 4,290 | $245,208 | $1,156,700 | $2,708 |
| Bellaire | 17,206 | $244,015 | $1,037,500 | $2,672 |
| Hedwig Village | 2,291 | $223,750 | $1,702,700 | $1,558 |
| Piney Point Village | 3,097 | $250,001 | $2,000,001 | — |
More for people moving to Houston
Houston ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Houston: FAQ
What is the median household income in Houston, TX?
The median household income in Houston is $64,813, 17% lower than the Texas median of $78,476 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Houston?
The median home value in Houston is $277,800, compared with $283,800 in Texas.
How much is rent in Houston?
The median gross rent in Houston is $1,361 per month, about 32.1% of household income.
Is Houston, TX a good place to live?
Pluses: home values about the same as the state median. Minuses: median household income 17% lower than the Texas median; an average commute of 27 minutes; unemployment of 6.9%; a poverty rate of 19.9%.
What is the median age in Houston?
The median age in Houston is 34.4 years (Texas: 35.6).
How long is the commute in Houston?
The average commute to work in Houston is 27 minutes; 13% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Houston?
The unemployment rate in Houston is 6.9% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Houston?
36.6% of adults in Houston have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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