| Index | Katy | Texas | National |
| Cost of living | 105 | 94 | 100 |
| Groceries | 99 | 98 | 100 |
| Health care | 100 | 98 | 100 |
| Housing | 119 | 83 | 100 |
| Transportation | 97 | 98 | 100 |
| Utilities | 102 | 103 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 94 | 98 | 100 |
| Household Items | 98 | 98 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 100 | 98 | 100 |

Understanding the cost of living in Katy 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 Katy cost of living index is 105, which is 5% 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.
Everyday expenditures like food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care in Katy are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Katy can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.
Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 6 residents in Katy to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 33% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 67% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.
Wondering if Katy 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 Katy, for example, the median home price is 17.3% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 22.1% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Katy boasting a median household income of $131,259, which is 61.4% higher than the national average.
Transportation: If public transportation is limited or not available, residents may need to own and maintain vehicles, which can add to the cost of living. Gas, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or finance payments will all need to be paid on a monthly basis. In Katy, the transportation index is 2.8% lower than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare expenditures and insurance premium rates can vary significantly, contingent upon the particular city or state. Factors such as the accessibility of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs, and expenses related to specialized medical care can all have an impact on the overall cost of living. In Katy, healthcare costs are 0.4% lower 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 Katy, the groceries index is 1.1% lower than the national average.
The Katy 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.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $168,902 | $14,075 | $3,941 | $5,068 |
| Renters | $67,778 | $5,648 | $1,581 | $2,034 |
| 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. |
| Wallis, TX | 1,813 | 86 | 13.9% |
| Brookshire, TX | 5,752 | 87 | 12.6% |
| Orchard, TX | 170 | 93 | 7.2% |
| Richmond, TX | 13,080 | 99 | 0.8% |
| Meadows Place, TX | 5,042 | 102 | 1.9% |
| Katy, TX | 21,057 | 105 | 4.6% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| American Canyon, CA | 21,061 | 161 | 60.7% |
| Agoura Hills, CA | 21,069 | 205 | 105.1% |
| Ashland, OH | 21,043 | 87 | 13.4% |
| Secaucus, NJ | 21,080 | 153 | 52.6% |
| Hammond, LA | 21,033 | 95 | 4.5% |
| Katy, TX | 21,057 | 105 | 4.6% |