A+
9%
Overall NAT. AVG.
1%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
28%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index South Houston Texas National
Cost of living9192100
Goods & Services10196100
Groceries10096100
Health care9494100
Housing7283100
Transportation9092100
Utilities103104100

An Overview of Cost of Living in South Houston, TX

The cost of living in South Houston 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 South Houston is 91, which is 9% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

The cost of living in South Houston closely mirrors the national average in comparison to other cities nationwide. Essential items such as groceries, goods and services, health care and utilities are priced at a level consistent with similar urban areas. This means that residents of South Houston can anticipate that their daily expenses will remain reasonably in line with those of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

Is South Houston Affordable?

Is South Houston affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take South Houston, for instance, where the median home price falls 41.9% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 5% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with South Houston flaunting a median household income of $45,038, 18.6% lower than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in South Houston?

Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In South Houston, healthcare costs are 6.1% lower than the national average.

Urbanization: Urban areas with extensive amenities and job opportunities tend to have a higher cost of living due to increased demand for services and relocation, resulting in higher home prices and higher rents. Less densely populated rural areas, or areas with less demand tend to have fewer amenities and slower job growth, which results in a lower cost of living.

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 South Houston, the groceries index is 0% equal to the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The South Houston cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in South Houston is 2% lower than the Texas average
  • The cost of living in South Houston is 9% lower than the national average
  • South Houston housing is 28% lower 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 South Houston

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Compare South Houston, TX Cost of Living

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      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$58,715$4,893$1,370$1,762
      Renters$33,940$2,828$792$1,018
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in South Houston, TX, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in South Houston have a median income of $58,715. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $1,370 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $33,940, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $792.

      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%

      Goods & Services

      Item South Houston National avg. Difference
      Haircut $20.33$24.2616.2%
      Beauty Salon $47.38$45.564.0%
      Toothpaste $3.48$3.706.1%
      Shampoo $1.22$1.285.0%
      Movie $12.19$12.130.4%
      Bowling $15.83$18.0012.0%

      Groceries

      Item South Houston National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.25$5.8410.1%
      Fried Chicken $1.61$1.572.4%
      Milk $4.55$4.672.5%
      Potatoes $5.00$4.931.4%
      Pizza $11.82$12.092.2%
      Beer $10.38$10.410.3%

      Health Care

      Item South Houston National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $125.98$125.680.2%
      Doctor $90.89$135.7833.1%
      Dentist $108.10$113.294.6%
      Ibuprofen $10.46$10.651.8%
      Lipitor $503.40$468.607.4%

      Housing

      Item South Houston National avg. Difference
      Home Price $107,300.00$184,700.0041.9%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,055.86$2,346.6912.4%
      Apartment Rent $996.00$949.005.0%

      Transportation

      Item South Houston National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.14$3.469.1%
      Tire Balancing $56.62$59.925.5%

      Utilities

      Item South Houston National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $233.43$193.9920.3%
      Phone $208.71$192.258.6%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Barrett, TX3,3898713.0%
      Jacinto City, TX10,5448713.0%
      Galena Park, TX10,8488811.7%
      Sheldon, TX2,179918.9%
      Cloverleaf, TX25,955928.5%
      South Houston, TX17,522919.1%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Kingsland, GA17,523946.4%
      Wailuku, HI17,52317069.9%
      Martinsburg, WV17,5171021.7%
      Centerville, UT17,52712423.7%
      Anoka, MN17,5121011.1%
      South Houston, TX17,522919.1%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.