Living in Houston, Texas: The Lowdown on H-Town

Houston is a big city in a big state, so there’s a lot to consider when relocating to this diverse and booming metropolis. From its vibrant food scene to melting-pot neighborhoods, its affordable housing options to mosquito-laden humidity — here are some key things to know about living in Houston, Texas, before making your move. 

Ready to move to Houston? Start by getting a quote from PODS.

Before we dive into the facts, check out this virtual tour of Houston:

Houston at a Glance:

As the largest and most populous city in both Texas and the Southern United States, the Houston metro, officially Houston-The Woodlands-Sugarland, teems with an estimated 6.9 million residents across a sprawling 9,444 square miles.  

Houston proper is home to 2.3 million over a 665-square-mile area.

The metro makes up the southeast corner of the Texas Triangle, or “Texaplex” — a mega-region that includes the state’s four largest city areas: Houston, San Antonio, Austin, and Dallas-Fort Worth

Houstonians are young. The median age in Houston is 34.3, while the national median age is 38.5.

Living in Houston, Texas, means a lower cost of living — and that means more opportunity to enjoy life in this vibrant city.
(Source: Visit Houston via Facebook)

1. The Cost of Living in Houston, Texas, Is Below the National Average

H-Town gives your wallet a bit of a breather since the cost of  living in Houston, Texas, is a smidge cheaper than the U.S. average: 

Houston’s cost of living is 3.1 percent below the U.S. average and 2.9 percent above the Lone Star State average.

Housing costs are about 26% percent below the national average. Compared to major metros of comparable size, Houston housing is remarkably affordable: Chicago homes, for example, are 14.6 percent more expensive on average, and Phoenix homes are a whopping 66.6 percent higher. 

 

2. Houston Homes Are Affordable

If you’re looking for affordability in the Lone Star State, a safe bet is Houston — a good place to live for both young families and professionals starting their careers. The average home value in Houston is around $93,400 less than the national average.

Houston’s average home value: $267,900 — down 0.9 percent in the last year.

National average home value: $361,300 — up 2.1 percent in the last year.

Q: Is it worth it to move to Houston? A: It is totally worth it to move to Houston! Living in Houston means affordable housing, a moderate cost of living, no state income tax, diverse culture, amazing food — the list goes on. As long as you don’t mind some hot weather and honky-tonk, Houston is a great place to live.

3. You’ll Find a Diverse Mix of Rental Options in All Price Ranges

The average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Houston is around $1,350, which is about $400 lower than the national average. But that doesn’t tell the whole picture. Living in Houston, Texas, means lots of options for housing. Thanks to H-Town’s vast size and diversity, the city’s rental market features cheap, mid-range, and luxury apartment options across a wide variety of neighborhoods. According to RentCafe:

The most affordable Houston rentals can be found in Kashmere Gardens, where the average rent for a 1-bedroom is about $850 a month. 

The most expensive apartments are in University Place, Museum District, Downtown Houston, and Neartown - Montrose, with average monthly rents between $2,325 and $2,575.

The most popular neighborhoods for rentals are Uptown Houston and Greenway - Upper Kirby, where average monthly rents are $1,525 and $1,900, respectively.

Map of Houston’s 610 Loop

The day-to-day experience of living in Houston, Texas, differs depending on whether you live inside or outside “the Loop.”
(Source: Google Maps)

4. Looking for the Best Neighborhoods for Living in Houston, Texas? Think Inside and Outside “the Loop.” 

As you can see from the map above, the city’s urban center is enclosed by the square-ish Interstate 610 — what locals call “the Loop.” As you explore Houston neighborhoods, you’ll notice big distinctions inside and outside this stretch of major highway. Both areas offer advantages, depending on your preferences.

Living inside the Loop comes with all the perks of city life: An easier commute, an elevated bar and restaurant scene, and a high concentration of museums and cultural events.

Here’s a quick look at some top Houston neighborhoods inside the Loop, plus one that’s right on the border:

 

Houston Heights

Located northwest of Downtown, The Heights is one of Houston’s most walkable communities, with a vibrant antique and dining scene unlike anywhere else in the city. Homes in this area have an average value of $629,500. Here you’ll find a blend of newly constructed Victorian and Charleston-style cottages and updated historic homes. Must visit: James Beard-nominated Ema for scrumptious pastries, breads, and coffees. 

River Oaks

Just three miles west of Downtown and one of Houston’s oldest and most affluent neighborhoods, this historic community is protected by strict architectural standards and building restrictions — a distinction in a city with little or no zoning. Mansions dating from the 1920s line the streets of River Oaks, where the median home sale price is a cool $2 million. That’s up more than 19 percent from 2024 (and investors may want to take heed — living in Houston, Texas, might be a good bet). One property that’s decidedly not for sale is the iconic Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens, part of the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, set on 14 acres in River Oaks. 

West University Place

Just a mile from Rice University and 20 minutes from Downtown Houston, West U (as locals call it) is home to a thriving community. The neighborhood’s expansive park system, beautiful homes, and tree-lined streets are major draws, pushing the median home sale price to $1.72 million — up 4.6 percent from 2024. 

Greater Hobby Area

Though technically outside the Loop, the Hobby area is so close to the action (just 10 miles from Downtown) that the convenience factor is still strong — especially with its proximity to William P. Hobby Airport, a big plus for folks living in Houston, Texas. With a median home sale price of $255,000, this neighborhood is a great place for first-time homebuyers to invest in remodeling a fixer-upper. The community is known for its accessibility, top-rated schools, and affordability. 

The Woodlands is known as one of the best H-Town suburbs, with all the perks and benefits of living in Houston, Texas.
(Source: The Woodlands Township via Facebook)

Areas outside the Loop have a more low-key and suburban feel, with the best Houston suburbs typically offering homes in the $300K to $500K range. They feature family-friendly neighborhoods and top-rated public school districts, but there’s still plenty of urban sprawl to contend with.

Here’s a quick overview of some of the best suburbs for living in Houston, Texas, outside the Loop:

 

The Woodlands

About 30 miles north of Downtown Houston, The Woodlands is an award-winning master-planned community that balances nature with business, innovation, and neighborhood living. The Woodlands’ nine residential villages and Town Center with over 2,000 businesses sit on 28,500 acres — and nearly 8,000 acres of which is still open space. Residents enjoy 220 miles of trails for hiking and biking, 148 parks, pools, water sports, and golf. The Woodlands’ median home sale price is $523,000.

Clear Lake

About 21 miles southeast of Downtown Houston, this area is close to major aerospace headquarters — like Boeing and Lockheed Martin — and home to the Johnson Space Center (of “Houston, we have a problem” fame). While the median home sale price is $310,000, there’s a good mix of older single-family homes, luxury townhomes in gated communities, and condos, with prices ranging from $80,000 to well over a million. 

Sugar Land

About 20 miles southwest of Downtown Houston, Sugar Land offers small-town hospitality with big-city amenities. The median home sale price here is $455,800, but when you see the collection of master-planned communities with golf courses, lakes, highly-rated schools, and convenient dining and shopping, you’ll wonder why it isn’t more! All that (and then some) makes this community a popular place for families to settle.

Moving to Texas? Check out these articles from the PODS Blog: Texas Moving Guide: Relocating In and Out of the Lone Star State Best Places To Live in Texas in 2025 Say Howdy to 13 of the Best Small Towns in Texas Best Cities in Texas To Raise a Family

 

Living in Houston means driving in Houston — but it isn’t the worst of the worst.
(Source: @nano_montoya82 via Instagram)

5. Commuting Here Is No Cakewalk — But It’s Not the Worst

Living in Houston, Texas, means spending more time on the road than most Americans, with some parts of the metro averaging an hour or more each day, based on government traffic studies. Although there’s a light rail system with three lines covering about 22 miles, the car culture runs strong in Houston. 

Still, you might be surprised at Houston’s low-ish ranking of No. 25 among the nation’s cities for commute times. But that doesn’t mean the commute is a breeze: The average commuter spends almost two full work weeks in traffic every year. 

Efforts are underway to improve the city’s transportation infrastructure, including continued expansion of the city’s bus routes, improved sidewalks, and extension of the light rail system. And, like any other major city, some neighborhoods are more commutable than others. The most transit-friendly neighborhoods in Houston tend to be around Downtown and the south portion of the Loop, while the communities farther from Downtown tend to suffer the longest commute times.

Q: What are the pros and cons of living in Houston, Texas? A: We’ve outlined many of the metrics here, including, in the pro column, Houston’s diversity, dining scene, and cultural vibrancy. There are a few cons, however – just like in any city or town in America – including the commute time (which is high but surprisingly lower than you might expect), the crime rate, the unrelenting heat, and all that sprawl. But the temperature eventually breaks, and there are enough pretty, walkable neighborhoods to offset the chain-clogged ‘burbs.

6. Houston’s Diversity May Surprise You

According to WalletHub, Houston is the second-most diverse large city in America, with high-diversity scores across multiple metrics, including socioeconomics, culture, economics, and religion. Interestingly, Houston ranks just above New York City, which one might assume would have the top spot. Indeed, one of the best things about living in Houston, Texas, is the rich mix of cultures, communities, and cuisines — all contributing to making the city feel globally connected and vibrant.

Houston is home to several international communities and cultural enclaves, including the burgeoning Museum and Theater Districts, a vibrant dining and nightlife scene, and a packed roster of festivals and trade shows. Visitors from all over the world travel annually to attend the city’s large-scale industry and cultural events, including the Bayou City Art Festival, Houston Auto Show, Houston Fashion Week, Houston Pride Parade, and of course, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

Houston is one of the most diverse large cities in the U.S. — No. 2, in fact — with a dynamic arts scene that often nods to its storied space travel history.
(Source: Visit Houston via Facebook)

7. You Can Call it “Space City,” the “Bayou City,” or Choose From a Bunch of Other Nicknames

Houston has so many nicknames, there’s a Wikipedia page just to help you keep them straight. But the two most popular are “Space City,” because it’s home to NASA’s Johnson Space Center, and “Bayou City,” for the 22 meandering waterways that wind through the area. Living in Houston, Texas, means the best of both worlds — reaching for the stars, and staying grounded in the earthbound beauty of the Lone Star State’s parks, rivers, and open spaces.  

Q: What salary do you need to live comfortably in Houston? A: The median household income in Houston is around $62,900, according to the latest info from the U.S. Census Bureau. That’s nearly $20,000 more than the area’s living wage, which is about $45,000 before taxes for a single adult. To live comfortably, you’d need to earn above the living wage, but the exact amount would depend on your preferred lifestyle. Fortunately, Houston does have a lower cost of living than many other large cities. For example, if you earn $50K a year in Houston, you would need to earn about $53K in Dallas to maintain the same standard of living.

 

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Houston, the largest Hindu temple in Texas, welcomes worshipers and visitors from around the region.
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

8. The Bayou City Has a Lot of Superlatives

Maybe it’s the “Don’t Mess with Texas” effect, but Houston is really good at being big and setting records. Here are just a few good things about Houston:

Texas Medical Center in Houston is the largest medical complex in the world.

Houston’s Galleria is the biggest mall in Texas and the seventh-largest in the U.S.

Houston is home to the world’s first domed air-conditioned stadium, the Astrodome.

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is the largest Hindu temple in Texas and the first of its kind in North America

The Houston Grand Opera is the only opera company that has won all three major awards — Grammy, Tony, and Emmy.

Houston is Beyoncé’s hometown. Consider that a triumph in itself!

Q: Is Houston, Texas, a good place to live?  A: You know the saying “Everything’s bigger in Texas”? Well, living in Houston, Texas, is the perfect embodiment of that sentiment. The city is so vast and varied from zip code to zip code that there’s quite literally something for everyone. Yes, urban sprawl feels like it was invented here, and the crime rate is not great, but is Houston a good place to live? With its vibrant cultural offerings, range of diverse neighborhoods and opportunities, and affordability, living in Houston, Texas, gets a Lone Star-sized thumbs up.

 

From kindergarten to post-grad research, education and innovation are front and center in Houston. 
(Source: Houston Independent School District via Facebook)

9. K-12 Parents Look to the Suburbs, While Higher-Ed Students Love Living in Houston Proper

Here’s why Houston parents with school-aged children tend to prefer the suburbs, while college students flock to the city: 

Most top-rated public schools in Houston are located in surrounding suburbs outside of Houston’s Loop. 

The greater Houston area has 14 major institutions of higher learning, including the University of Houston, Texas Southern University, and Rice University. 

The Texas Medical Center contains the world’s largest concentration of healthcare and research institutions, including a vast range of medical, nursing, dentistry, and pharmacy programs. 

Some like it hot — but Houston’s many parks and rivers offer respite from the city’s humid subtropical climate. 
(Source: Visit Houston via Facebook)

10. Most Don’t Like the Weather in Houston, But Some Relish It

If you like heat, you’ll love Houston. The city has a hot and humid subtropical climate, with low temperatures around 40°F in January and highs around 95°F in August. The city experiences plenty of rainfall throughout the year, some dry spells in summer, and occasional bouts of severe weather blowing in from the Gulf of Mexico. Besides the heat and humidity, here are two important factors to keep in mind about living in Houston, Texas:

The risk of flooding is increasing in Houston, not only from hurricanes like Harvey, which pounded the city in 2017, but also from other weather events. Before choosing a home, check this guide to avoid areas prone to flooding.  

If you have respiratory issues, you may have trouble with Houston’s air quality. Pollution from heavy chemical industries, high temperatures, and long runs of rain and humidity combine to create difficult conditions for residents with asthma, allergies, and lung problems, according to multiple studies, including the Rice Kinder Institute for Urban Research.  

H-Town may have a high crime rate, but city leaders and law enforcement agencies are working hard to keep residents safe.
(Source: Houston Police Department via Facebook)

11. The Crime Rate Is High, But There Are Ways to Feel More Secure

Is Houston safe? Depends on where you are in the city. You should be aware that Houston’s crime rate is ranked higher than most U.S. cities. Residents have a 1 in 18 chance of being the victim of violent or property crime — making Houston one of the top 100 most dangerous cities in America. Contributing factors to crime in the area include gang activity, illicit drug trade, and economic hardship. Like most cities, though, a lot of the crime is concentrated in certain areas. Houston’s leaders have undertaken a coordinated effort aimed at reducing crime in the city, focusing on areas including Westside, South Gessner, Southeast Houston, North Belt, South Central, and Midwest. Residents are encouraged to take precautions to lower their risk of being targeted, with tips in this personal safety guide. 

Considering other Texas cities? Check out these articles from the PODS Blog: 10 Things to Know About Living in San Antonio, TX 14 Things To Know About Living in Dallas, TX 9 Things To Know About Living in Austin, TX

 

A prosperous economy, massive workforce, and inviting business environment make living in Houston, Texas, an easy choice for many young professionals.
(Source: Visit Houston via Facebook)

12. Houston’s Job Market Offers Plenty of Opportunities

Houston’s economy is huge — with an estimated 3.5 million people employed in non-farm jobs across the Houston metro area in February 2025. In fact, Houston’s city limits contain the third-highest number of Fortune 500 headquarters of any U.S. municipality, after New York City and Chicago. Houston’s top industries include energy (oil and gas extraction), life sciences, aerospace and aviation, manufacturing, digital technology, and transportation.

The fact that Texas is one of seven U.S. states without any personal state income tax helps residents’ budgets and creates growth-driven venture opportunities, but the tradeoff comes in cuts to government-led funding and initiatives.

Houston is the hub of U.S. space research and development — not to mention the headquarters for NASA since 1962.
(Source: Visit Houston via Facebook)

13. “Houston” Was the First Word Spoken From the Moon

Okay, okay, the first words were actually “contact light,” but any proud Houstonian will tell you astronaut Neil Armstrong clearly said, "Houston, Tranquility Base here, the Eagle has landed."

As you likely know from your favorite astronaut flicks, Houston has a long history with NASA and space exploration — in fact, when it comes to space exploration, the center of the universe is Houston, safe to say. Since breaking ground in 1962, the Johnson Space Center (originally named the Manned Spacecraft Center) has been mission control for an astronomical (pun intended!) range of space research and development programs — from the Gemini, Apollo, and Skylab projects of the 20th century to the International Space Station and other programs operating today. 

With James Beard nominations and Michelin Stars in its midst, Houston’s cuisine scene ranks among the finest in the world — move over, Paris. 
(Source: Hugo’s via Facebook)

14. The Houston Dining Scene Is a Foodie’s Paradise

With more than 10,000 restaurants representing over 70 countries and American regions to choose from, it’s no wonder Houston’s dining scene has been compared to the likes of NYC. In 2025, the James Beard Foundation honored 13 Houston-area restaurants and chefs in seven categories with nominations, with the winners set to be revealed in June at the storied awards ceremony in Chicago.

Buffalo Bayou Park welcomes visitors looking for shade and beautiful river views.
(Source: Buffalo Bayou Park via Facebook)

15. These Are the Top 10 Things To Do in Houston

If you’re new to the Bayou City and want to start living like a local, check off these tried-and-true Houstonian hits:

1. Attend rotating exhibits and performances in the Museum and Theater Districts.
2. Take a dozen or so distillery tours; you won’t run out anytime soon.
3. Wander Houston’s rave-worthy Chinatown.
4. Buy season tickets for the Houston Astros.
5. Check out the year-round exhibitions at the Space Center Houston.
6. Escape to Hermann Park and Buffalo Bayou for a relaxing time outdoors.
7. Explore nearby parks and nature sites, including Houston Arboretum and Nature Center (10 miles west of Downtown Houston), Big Thicket National Reserve (1.5-hour drive), and Padre Island National Seashore (4-hour drive).
8. Stroll around the Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park on hot summer days.
9. Shop Houston’s world-class farmer’s markets for fresh produce on weekends.
10. Test out hundreds of authentic BBQ and seafood spots around the city.

Ready to plan your move to Houston? The PODS Blog has you covered with resources for the best neighborhoods in town and the best options for movers. Best Houston Neighborhoods Best Houston Moving Companies

 

16. Texans Love Texas

Something you’re sure to notice in your first weeks of living in Houston, Texas, is the Lone Star pride coursing through the veins of each and every local. This isn’t just a Houston thing either; you’ll find it throughout the state. The Texas flag flies high beside Ol’ Glory everywhere you look. And, while it may seem odd at first, we’re confident that after tasting enough BBQ, seeing enough Astros games, and dancing enough honky-tonk, you’ll start to experience it for yourself.

Whatever brings you to the Lone Star State, living in Houston, Texas, is sure to be an adventure. The city is filled with some of the friendliest people in the country, so getting to know its diverse cultural landscape may be one of the most fun and rewarding experiences in your lifetime. We hope you send us your best Tex-Mex and BBQ recommendations while you’re at it!

Amelia England is a content writer and regular contributor to the PODS Blog. Between college, grad school, and seasonal adventures, she has downsized and relocated over 25 times.

Editor’s note: Average and median rent prices were obtained from RentCafe, Zumper, and Zillow; average home values were obtained from Zillow; and median home sale prices were obtained from Redfin. For ease of reading, monthly rental prices were rounded to the nearest $25 and home values were rounded to the nearest $100.