Houston, TX Utility & Living Guide
Everything you need to know about living in Chicago—utilities, housing, and taxes.
Total Utilities$330/mo
1BR Rent$1350/mo
Sales Tax8.25%
COL Index96 (-4% below national average)
Median Home$340,000
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⚠️ Natural Hazard History — Houston
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💰 Budget Calculator
🔌 Utilities
🏠 Housing
📊 Cost of Living
💰 Taxes
🧮 Tools
Monthly Utility Costs
⚡ Electric
$145/mo
CenterPoint / Choice
🔥 Gas
$40/mo
CenterPoint Energy
💧 Water
$60/mo
Houston Public Works
🗑️ Garbage
$20/mo
City of Houston
📶 Internet
$65/mo
Housing Market
| Rent & Property | |
|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom | $1350/mo |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1780/mo |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2400/mo |
| Median Home Price | $340,000 |
| Property Tax Rate | 2.25% |
No zoning laws mean mixed-use neighborhoods. Heavy reliance on AC.
Cost of Living
Overall COL Index
96
US national avg = 100
vs National Avg
-4% below national average
Groceries
95
Transportation
98
Healthcare
94
Tax Rates
| Tax Overview | |
|---|---|
| Total Sales Tax | 8.25% |
| Property Tax Rate | 2.25% |
| <p>State 6.25% + Local/Transit 2%</p> | |
No state or local income tax in Texas.
Household Budget Calculator
Estimate your real monthly cost of living in Houston based on your household profile.
Local Briefing & Neighborhood Pulse
Local Regulation Notice
Landlord-friendly state. Deregulated electricity market allows provider choice.
Relocation Overview
Chicago offers a surprisingly affordable housing market compared to NY and LA.Live Local News
Financial Tools
Calculators
- Income Tax CalculatorEstimate take-home pay by state
- Mortgage CalculatorMonthly payment estimator
- Affordability CalculatorHow much home can you afford?
- Childcare Cost EstimatorCompare daycare costs by city
Planning Tools
- Retirement PlannerRetirement readiness check
- Car Lease CalculatorMonthly lease payment estimator
- Savings CalculatorGrow your emergency fund
- City Comparison ToolCompare cities side by side
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