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City Guide

Houston

TX

"Space City — Energy, Diversity, and the Best Food Scene in America"

Houston is America's most diverse city and arguably has the best restaurant scene in the country. No zoning laws mean it's sprawling and eclectic — and the energy industry keeps the economy robust. Texas has no state income tax.

Population

2.3M+ (7M+ metro)

Cost of Living

Below National Average

Avg. Rent

$1,400/mo

Climate

Humid Subtropical

Best for:Energy industryHealthcare professionalsFoodiesFamilies

Neighborhoods

Montrose

Eclectic, artsy, LGBTQ+ friendly, great dining

$1,600/mo

The Heights

Historic bungalows, walkable, young professionals

$1,800/mo

The Woodlands

Master-planned suburb, top schools, family-friendly

$1,900/mo

Midtown

Urban, nightlife, young professionals

$1,700/mo

Where to Eat

Uchi Houston

Japanese

Must try: Hama chili

$$$$

Underbelly Hospitality

American

Must try: Korean braised goat

$$$

Ninfa's on Navigation

Tex-Mex

Must try: Original fajitas (invented here)

$$

Viet-Cajun crawfish

Vietnamese-Cajun

Must try: Crawfish with garlic butter

$$

Things To Do

Science

Space Center Houston

Official NASA visitor center — see real rockets and astronaut training

Culture

Houston Museum of Natural Science

World-class natural history museum with a stunning gem collection

Outdoors

Buffalo Bayou Park

160-acre park along the bayou with art installations and kayaking

Culture

Museum District

19 museums within walking distance — many are free

Parks & Outdoors

Hermann Park

445-acre park with a Japanese garden, golf course, and the Houston Zoo

Memorial Park

1,500-acre urban park with a world-class golf course and extensive trails

Sports Teams

Houston Texans

NFL Football

NRG Stadium

Houston Astros

MLB Baseball

Minute Maid Park

Houston Rockets

NBA Basketball

Toyota Center

Major Employers

ExxonMobilChevronShellConocoPhillipsTexas Medical CenterHewlett Packard Enterprise

Cost of Living Calculator

See how your salary would need to adjust to maintain the same lifestyle in Houston.

$50,000
per year

Current Salary

$50,000

Adjusted for Houston

$46,923

You could earn $3,077 less and maintain your lifestyle

Cost Breakdown

Housing

Average monthly rent

National: $1,500
-6.7%$1,400

Groceries

Monthly grocery costs

National: $400
-5.0%$380

Transportation

Public transit & gas

National: $300
-6.7%$280

Utilities

Electricity, water, gas

National: $150
-6.7%$140

Dining Out

Restaurants & entertainment

National: $250
-4.0%$240

Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates based on average data and is for informational purposes only. Actual costs may vary based on lifestyle choices, specific neighborhoods, and personal circumstances. For detailed information about Houston, check out our full city guide above.

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Insider Moving Tips

For Houston

  • 01

    Houston floods — research flood zone maps before choosing a neighborhood

  • 02

    No zoning means industrial and residential can be neighbors — drive the area first

  • 03

    A car is essential — Houston is massive and public transit is limited

  • 04

    Move in fall or spring — summer heat and humidity are extreme

Climate

Humid Subtropical — Mild winters, brutally hot summers

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