| Index | Bellaire | Texas | National |
| Cost of living | 186 | 94 | 100 |
| Groceries | 103 | 98 | 100 |
| Health care | 98 | 98 | 100 |
| Housing | 382 | 83 | 100 |
| Transportation | 101 | 98 | 100 |
| Utilities | 104 | 103 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 99 | 98 | 100 |
| Household Items | 101 | 98 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 108 | 98 | 100 |

Understanding the cost of living in Bellaire can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Bellaire cost of living index is 186, which is 86% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.
If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Bellaire may not be your ideal choice, as it ranks among the most expensive locations in the entire United States. A very small amount of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Bellaire falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.
When it comes to the cost of living in Bellaire, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 282.1% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.
Wondering if Bellaire is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Bellaire, for example, the median home price is 356.1% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 109.3% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Bellaire boasting a median household income of $294,841, which is 262.5% higher than the national average.
Utilities: As with the prices of anything else, utility costs can exhibit significant variations, contingent on factors like climate, energy source availability, geographic location and state regulations. The expenses associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, either upward or downward, depending on the particular city or state. In Bellaire, the utilities index registers 4.1% higher than the national average.
Groceries: Grocery prices have seen substantial hikes in the last 2-3 years, with some markets witnessing food cost increases of over 20% during this period. Conversely, certain markets have experienced only moderate upticks. These variations in food expenses can have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in any locality. In Bellaire, the groceries index is 3.3% higher than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can undergo substantial fluctuations based on the city or state of residence. Elements such as the availability of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket costs for medical consultations, dental expenses, prescription medication charges and specialized medical care fees all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Bellaire, healthcare costs are 2.2% lower than the national average.
The Bellaire cost of living estimates above use a normalized U.S. average of 100 as the baseline for comparison. Housing values incorporate local home price and rental information from the U.S. Census, while all other estimates are AI-assisted and modeled using expected everyday expenses, local market trends, climate, and transportation-related cost pressures. The results are intended for practical city-to-city comparisons.
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| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $320,988 | $26,749 | $7,489 | $9,631 |
| Renters | $101,758 | $8,480 | $2,374 | $3,053 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Texas | 6.25% | 8.25% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Texas | 0% | 0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Fifth Street, TX | 2,256 | 82 | 17.9% |
| Jacinto City, TX | 10,826 | 87 | 13.0% |
| Galena Park, TX | 11,097 | 88 | 11.8% |
| Aldine, TX | 16,737 | 91 | 9.4% |
| South Houston, TX | 17,971 | 90 | 9.5% |
| Bellaire, TX | 19,553 | 186 | 86.0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Morristown, NJ | 19,561 | 151 | 50.9% |
| Nanuet, NY | 19,538 | 142 | 41.8% |
| Onalaska, WI | 19,535 | 102 | 2.3% |
| Sherrelwood, CO | 19,531 | 123 | 22.6% |
| Valle Vista, CA | 19,530 | 115 | 15.4% |
| Bellaire, TX | 19,553 | 186 | 86.0% |