⚡ Featured Deal

Essentials for Your New Home

🛒 Shop This Deal Now

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Tier 3 Location

Houston, DE Utility & Living Guide

Houston is a town in Kent County, Delaware, United States. It is part of the Dover metropolitan area.

Last updated: July 4, 2026

Total Utilities$280/mo

1BR Rent$1040/mo

COL Index102 (+2% above national average)

Family Score7/10

Median Home$253,100

📷 Live Cameras — Houston

Live · refreshing...

🌤️ Live Weather — Houston

Loading weather...

Living in Houston, summers are hot, with Jul highs around 87.8°F, while winters are chilly, with Jan lows around 30.5°F. Winter heating is a real budget factor — 3609 degree days means 4-5 months of meaningful energy bills. The area receives 50.4 inches of rainfall per year. Within 5 miles: 17 parks, 3 groceries and 11 dining spots. For hospital care, the nearest facility is in a neighboring city. Median household income: $92,500. With a 13.2% poverty rate and 87.0% homeownership, the community reflects a stable residential mix. Air quality is Good — avg AQI 48 over the past week.

📍 City Briefing

⚠️ Natural Hazard History — Houston

Loading hazard data...

💰 Budget Calculator

🔌 Utilities

🏠 Housing

📊 Cost of Living

💰 Taxes

👨‍👩‍👧 Families

🧮 Tools

Monthly Utility Costs

⚡ Electric

$140/mo

Delmarva Power

🔥 Gas

—

N/A - Electric only

💧 Water

$50/mo

Town of Houston Water Department

🗑️ Garbage

$30/mo

Waste Management

📶 Internet

$60/mo

Combined Average Overhead$280/month

Housing Market

Rent & Property
1 Bedroom	$1040/mo
2 Bedrooms	$1156/mo
3 Bedrooms	$1445/mo
Median Home Price	$253,100
Property Tax Rate	0.86%
Avg Childcare/mo	$900

The housing market in Houston, DE is relatively affordable, with a range of options from historic homes to new constructions. The town’s small size and limited inventory can lead to competitive pricing. Rental options are also available, including apartments and single-family homes.

Cost of Living

Overall COL Index

102

US national avg = 100

vs National Avg

+2% above national average

Groceries

105

Transportation

Healthcare

Childcare/mo

$900

Tax Rates

Tax Overview
Property Tax Rate	0.86%
<p>State 0% + County 0% + No local sales tax</p>

Delaware has a progressive income tax system, with rates ranging from 0% to 5.95%

Family & Relocation

Family Vibe Score

7/10

Safety Index

Higher = safer

School Rating

7.2/10

GreatSchools avg

Avg Childcare

$900/mo

City Pulse

Population Trend

+2% (growing)

Political Climate

Red

Business Momentum

Moderate, with key industries in healthcare, education, and tourism

Top Local Concerns

Traffic, public safety, environmental conservation

🚌 Transit for Families

Public transportation options are limited, but the town is relatively walkable and bikeable, with some stroller-friendly sidewalks and parks

🎡 Top Kid Attractions

🎯
Killens Pond State Park
🎯
Trap Pond State Park
🎯
Houston Public Library

Best Neighborhoods for Families

The downtown area and surrounding neighborhoods offer a mix of historic homes and new constructions, with easy access to shops, restaurants, and community events. The town's small size makes it easy to get around on foot or by bike.

Household Budget Calculator

Estimate your real monthly cost of living in Houston based on your household profile.

📰 Live Local News

Zoning regulations and historic district preservation rules apply to certain areas of town

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

Find Another City Guide

Search by city name or ZIP code to find utility costs, housing data and cost of living guides.

📊 Houston — Census & Demographic Data

Official data from the US Census Bureau, American Community Survey.

💰 Median Household Income

$92,500

🏠 Homeownership Rate

87.0%

🔑 Renter Rate

13.0%

📉 Poverty Rate

13.2%

💼 Unemployment Rate

8.2%

☀️ Seasonal Utility Costs

Summer months bring higher electricity bills due to air conditioning usage, while winter months see increased costs for heating. However, the town's mild climate means that extreme temperature fluctuations are rare.