B-
16%
Overall NAT. AVG.
2%
Groceries NAT. AVG.
59%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living score is 90, then the estimated cost of living is 10% lower than the national average. If the score is 110, then the estimated cost of living is 10% higher than average. The overall index is calculated using weighted estimates across major everyday expense categories, including housing (30%), groceries (16%), transportation (12%), healthcare (10%), utilities (8%), lifestyle and entertainment (8%), household expenses (8%), and education and childcare (8%). All values are AI-assisted city-level estimates designed for directional comparisons.
Index Friendswood Texas National
Cost of living11694100
Groceries9898100
Health care9798100
Housing15983100
Transportation9598100
Utilities104103100
Lifestyle & Entertainment10198100
Household Items9898100
Education & Childcare9698100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Friendswood, TX

The cost of living in Friendswood affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Friendswood is 116, which is 16% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

Housing costs significantly influence the Friendswood cost of living index, typically accounting for a substantial portion of one's post-tax income. Regrettably, within this particular region, expenses related to both residential ownership and renting exceeded those observed in an average city by 58.6%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Friendswood?

The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 7 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Friendswood. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 14% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 86% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.

Is Friendswood Affordable?

Is Friendswood an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Friendswood, the median home price is 65.3% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 43% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Friendswood come in at $162,034, which is 99.2% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Friendswood?

Taxes: Cities that enforce higher taxes, covering both sales taxes and income taxes, can be a factor contributing to a higher cost of living. Paying more in taxes for everyday essentials like clothing and food inevitably leads to higher expenses. A higher income tax rate can further contribute to an overall elevated cost of living. In Friendswood, the baseline sales tax rate begins at 6.25%, and income tax rates start at 0%.

Subsidies: Some areas might offer government subsidies or assistance programs that help lower cost of living for residents. These programs can include anything from Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and crop subsidies. Areas that offer less subsidies, could see an increase in their cost of living.

Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In Friendswood, the transportation index is 5.2% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data for Friendswood shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Friendswood is 23% higher than the Texas average
  • The cost of living in Friendswood is 16% higher than the national average
  • Friendswood housing is 59% higher than the national average
  • Texas general sales tax is 22% higher than the national average
  • Texas state income tax is 100% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Friendswood

See all the best places to live around Friendswood

Compare Friendswood, TX Cost of Living

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      Utilities index
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      Educare index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$194,067$16,172$4,528$5,823
      Renters$97,306$8,109$2,270$2,919
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Friendswood is by simply calculating the maximum that should be spent on housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The plan is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. Friendswood has a median income of about $194,067 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $4,528 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $97,306. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $2,270 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      Texas Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Texas 6.25% 8.25%

      Texas Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Texas 0% 0%

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Liverpool, TX5338514.5%
      South Houston, TX17,971909.5%
      La Marque, TX17,391919.0%
      Hitchcock, TX8,085918.9%
      Pasadena, TX157,942946.1%
      Friendswood, TX40,78511616.3%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Keizer, OR40,78711716.8%
      Columbia, TN40,814963.6%
      Marlborough, MA40,75313736.5%
      Sumter, SC40,739927.9%
      Germantown, TN40,72512020.0%
      Friendswood, TX40,78511616.3%
      Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.