Houston cost of living
The fourth-largest city in the country is also one of the best bargains when it comes to cost of living.
Houston housing costs are 46 percent below the average for the 26 metropolitan areas with populations of more than 2 million, according to the ACCRA Cost of Living Index for the third quarter of 2007. And Houston's overall costs are 24 percent below the average for these large metros. In the broader context of more than 300 urban areas in that survey, Houston's housing costs are 26 percent below the average, and its overall living costs are 13 percent below the average.
This means that your dollar has a much higher buying power than in virtually any other city in the country.
Consider:
- The average price for a new single-family detached home of 2,400 square-feet (four bedrooms, two baths, living room, dining and family rooms and attached two-car garage) was $207,167 in the third quarter of 2007.
- The U.S, Bureau of Economic Analysis puts Houston pre-tax, per capital income in 2005 at $39,199, 13.7 percent above the national average.
- In the third quarter of 2007, Houston's average apartment rent was $.934 per square foot per month.
With all you'll save on living costs in Houston, you'll have plenty left over for shopping in the region's world-class venues.
