Living in Houston, TX
Major city in Texas
Houston is a major city in Texas, home to about 2.3 million people, with 4.0 million living within 31 mi. Day to day, much of daily life is walkable. Life moves at a fast pace, and homes are mostly apartments.
In short: Energy, medicine and a famous food scene at low cost. Humid, flood-prone and car-dependent.
Is Houston a good place to live? Pros and cons
👍 Pros
- Strong healthcare: 16 top-rated (4–5★) hospitals within 31 mi
- Affordable housing: a typical 3-bedroom home is about $243k and rents for $2,120 a month
- Lots of culture: museums, zoos and attractions nearby
- Easy flying: HOU is 11 mi away
👎 Cons
- Fewer family amenities than most places
- Few dog parks: 43 within 9 mi
- Fewer outdoor escapes: no big hills or water close by
- Higher crime: violent crime is 2.8× the US rate (FBI 2019)
Whether it's a good place for you depends on what you value. Take the quiz to see how Houston ranks against your own priorities.
Key facts
Living in Houston: common questions
What is the cost of living in Houston?
A typical 3-bedroom home is worth about $243k, and a 3-bedroom rents for about $2,120 a month including utilities. Overall living costs are close to the US average (index 99, where the US is 100).
What are taxes like in Houston?
Texas has no state income tax, and homeowners here pay about 1.58% of their home's value in property tax each year.
Is Houston safe?
Violent crime is well above the national rate (2.8× in FBI 2019 data).
What is the weather like in Houston?
Houston is warm all year: winter days average around 65°F and summer days around 93°F.
Does Houston get natural disasters?
Natural disaster risk is moderate, mainly from flooding, hurricanes and tornadoes: 15 federally declared disasters have hit the county since 2000, and FEMA expects about 0.96 deaths or injuries per 100,000 residents a year.
What is the nearest major airport to Houston?
The nearest major airport is HOU, about 11 mi away.
How Houston scores
Each bar compares Houston with the other 1143 places in Best Life Fit Me. A dot shows where it sits between two ends, such as major metro and small town; neither end is better. Coloured bars run from poor (red) to excellent (green).
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Nearby
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Is Houston right for you?
Answer 27 quick questions and see how it ranks against your priorities.