The average cost of living in Texas is $1,972.41 per month.
Texas is the second-largest state in the U.S. by area. The state has vast landscapes to build an affordable home and has a healthy job market. From Dallas to Austin, there are plenty of great cities to grow a career in.
Texas has half a dozen top-performing sports teams, mouth-watering food and cultural attractions, including the Alamo in San Antonio and the Space Center in Houston. Moving to Texas also means being surrounded by some of the friendliest people in the country, so you’ll feel welcome on Texas grounds.
The Texas Employment Forecast predicts a 2.5 percent job growth in 2023, with an 80 percent confidence range of 2.1 to 3.0 percent.
In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about the cost of living in Texas. So let us take a look!
Texas Employment Forecast (Sept 2023)
Methodology
The main data collection source for this article is Numbeo using data from Texas’ most populous city, San Antonio, and trusted city-related websites, including VIA Metropolitan Transit and City of San Antonio, Texas. The costs presented are estimates and pertain to an individual living alone on a monthly basis.
Cost of Living in Texas – 2024
Housing costs in Texas
No matter where you live, one of your most significant ongoing expenses will be paying for housing. House prices in Texas are well below the national average. According to US Census data, Texas has more than 12 million housing units, and you will find plenty of places to live in Texas.
Cost of rent in Texas, CA
|
Area/Neighborhood |
1-bed apartment |
3-bed apartment |
|
San Antonio (Outside of Center) |
$1,252.57 |
$2,173.75 |
Cost of buying a property in Texas
|
Area/Neighborhood |
Average home price |
|
Texas |
$263,040 |
Utility costs in Texas: Internet, electricity and water
Whether you own a house or pay rent, you must cover the utility cost. Texas’s utility costs are pretty much the same as the national average. And since it gets hot in Texas, one must have enough budget for bills deriving from the air conditioners.
|
Utilities |
Cost |
|
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment |
$217.64 |
|
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) |
$81.45 |
|
Total |
$299.09 |
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Grocery costs in Texas
The grocery cost in Texas is relatively affordable, and the grocery is generally not taxed. The prices of everyday food products such as eggs, milk, and bread are similar to what you find in the rest of the United States.
A single person in Texas may spend around $226.20 monthly on groceries.
|
Grocery items in Texas |
Cost |
|
Milk (regular), (1 gallon) |
$4.04 |
|
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb) |
$2.51 |
|
Rice (white) (1 lb) |
$1.46 |
|
Eggs (regular) (12) |
$4.20 |
|
Local Cheese (1 lb) |
$6.12 |
|
Chicken Filets (1 lb) |
$4.22 |
|
Beef Round (1 lb) |
$5.78 |
|
Apples (1 lb) |
$2.05 |
|
Banana (1 lb) |
$0.61 |
|
Oranges (1 lb) |
$1.70 |
|
Tomato (1 lb) |
$1.56 |
|
Potato (1 lb) |
$0.79 |
|
Onion (1 lb) |
$1.17 |
|
Lettuce (1 head) |
$1.64 |
|
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) |
$13.18 |
|
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) |
$2.63 |
|
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) |
$2.89 |
Public transit in Texas
Public transportation in Texas is not well organized except for Dallas and Austin. As a result, most people own a car. Owning a car in Texas is not quite expensive, but it is not cheaper either.
|
Type of fare |
Rate |
|
Daily pass |
$2.75 |
|
Weekly pass |
$18.00 |
|
Monthly pass |
$38.00 |
VIA Metropolitan Transit (Oct 2023)
Entertainment costs in Texas
Texas entertains everyone with delicious food variety, beautiful parks, and cultural attractions. The state offers plenty of activities for sports enthusiasts as well. Texas is also a beautiful place to listen to country music, with its capital, Austin, TX, being known as the Live Music Capital of the World.
|
Entertainment in Texas |
Cost |
|
Mid-range restaurant meal |
$38.75 |
|
Taxi 1h |
$42.50 |
|
1 cinema ticket |
$14.00 |
|
Total |
$95.25 |
Sales tax in Texas
San Antonio, Texas, has a 6.25% sales tax rate, which matches the Texas state sales tax. Unlike some other states, Texas doesn’t allow the collection of local option sales taxes by counties or localities.
City of San Antonio, Texas (Oct 2023)
Healthcare costs in Texas
Texas residents are not obligated to have health insurance by state law, and there is no federal mandate under the Affordable Care Act. Texas utilizes the federal exchange for health plans and has one of the nation’s highest enrollment rates.
|
Type of healthcare |
Cost |
|
Employer-sponsored health insurance |
$130.75 |
|
Non-employer-sponsored health insurance (average cheapest) |
$186.33 |
|
Gym |
$61.30 |
Numbeo (Oct 2023) & EHealthInsurance (Oct 2023)
Conclusion
Moving to Texas is not so challenging because the cost of living here is affordable. And, if budgeted rightly, you can live in this city comfortably in no time. But first, calculate the average cost of living in Texas, as mentioned in the table below:
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|
Category |
Monthly cost |
|
1 bed apt rent outside city center |
$1,252.57 |
|
Groceries Numbeo’s grocery list ($56.55 multiplied by 4) |
$226.20 |
|
Utilities Electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage |
$217.64 |
|
Internet with 60 Mbps |
$81.45 |
|
Transit pass |
$38.00 |
|
Entertainment Meal, taxi, movie |
$95.25 |
|
Gym membership |
$61.30 |
|
Total |
$1,972.41 |
