Living in Houston, TX
Houston is the 4th-largest city in the US, home to about 2.4 million people in 2025. It has grown 4.2% since 2020. Prices across the metro area run close to the national average (98.6 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 2,397,315+4.2% since 2020
- Median home value
- $277,8004.3 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,361/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $64,813median, per year
- Price level
- 98.6US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 64° / 95°lows 44° / 76°
- Average commute
- 27 min13% work from home
- State income tax
- Noneon wages
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County: Harris County, Fort Bend County, Montgomery County
Time zone: Central Time (UTC-6, UTC-5 in summer)
Elevation: about 39 ft
Metro area: Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX
Cost of living in Houston
The median home in Houston is worth $277,800 and the median household earns $64,813 a year, so a typical home costs about 4.3 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,361 a month, about 25% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area at 98.6, with housing at 104.5 and goods at 100.6 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $74,000 here. Texas has no state income tax on wages. The average combined state and local sales tax in Texas is 8.2%.
What would my salary be worth in Houston?
Houston weather
Average highs run from 64°F in January to 94°F in July, and January nights average 44°F. It gets 52 inches of rain and melted snow a year, with almost no snow. Expect about 111 days a year at 90°F or hotter. The most comfortable months are November to April.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Houston
People and work
The median resident is 34.4 years old, and 37% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 42% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 27 minutes; 13% of workers work from home and 3% take public transit.
- Median age
- 34.4147th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 37%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 42%of households
- People per sq mile
- 3,741640.8 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 3%2% walk, 0.5% bike
- Unemployment
- 6.9%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 19.9%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1982median year
Who moves to Houston, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Austin (Travis County), Dallas (Dallas County) and San Antonio (Bexar County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Austin (Travis County), Dallas (Dallas County) and San Antonio (Bexar County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Largest employers
The biggest employers in the Houston region, as listed in the city's own annual financial report (fiscal 2024, 2024 figures). The report lists them alphabetically, without head counts.
- AT&T
- Baker Hughes
- CenterPoint Energy
- ConocoPhillips
- Enterprise Products Partners
- EOG Resources
- ExxonMobil
- Group 1 Automotive
- Halliburton
- Kinder Morgan
Source: City of Houston Annual Comprehensive Financial Report FY2024, Principal Employers (data from the Greater Houston Partnership). Employee counts are as reported to the city and may include workers outside city limits. Where do locals like to eat and shop? See local favorites.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Very High
FEMA rating for Harris County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: hurricane, tornado, inland flooding, heat wave.
Home prices
+3.4% in a year
Up 33% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
10% good days
46 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Pros and cons of living in Houston
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Texas has no state income tax on wages.
- Data Winters are warm, with January highs around 64°F.
Cons
- Data Summers are long and hot: about 111 days a year reach 90°F.
- Data High natural hazard risk in Harris County (FEMA rates it very high), led by hurricane, tornado and inland flooding.
- Data Air quality is a concern: 46 days in 2025 were unhealthy at least for sensitive groups (EPA).
Houston report card from locals
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Cities near Houston
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri City, TX | 17 mi | 77,327 | $311,400 | 98.6 | Compare |
| Sugar Land, TX | 19 mi | 107,726 | $430,200 | 98.6 | Compare |
| Pasadena, TX | 20 mi | 148,539 | $209,600 | 98.6 | Compare |
| Pearland, TX | 22 mi | 129,930 | $356,300 | 98.6 | Compare |
| The Woodlands, TX | 24 mi | 121,002 | $511,700 | 98.6 | Compare |
| Baytown, TX | 28 mi | 86,561 | $197,300 | 98.6 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Looking at the suburbs? Sienna, Fulshear and Iowa Colony lead our ranking of the best suburbs of Houston.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Houston with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Houston a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show no state income tax on wages, 6 comfortable months a year; the trade-offs are 111 days a year at 90°F or hotter. Compare Houston side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Houston?
The Census Bureau estimates Houston had 2,397,315 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 2,299,649 in April 2020 (+4.2%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Houston?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $74,000 in the Houston area. The median household here earns $64,813.
When is the best time to visit Houston?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, November to April are the most comfortable months. July averages 94°F and January 64°F for daytime highs.
What county is Houston in?
Most of Houston (95% of its land) is in Harris County. Smaller parts lie in Fort Bend County and Montgomery County. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Houston in?
Houston is on Central Time (UTC-6, or UTC-5 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Houston?
About 39 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Texas have a state income tax?
No. Texas does not tax wage income.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Houston. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Houston Intercontinental Airport, TX station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.