Cost of Living in Texas
Housing costs, rent, income, and affordability for 1,788 cities in TX. Updated 2026.
Understanding the cost of living in Texas is essential whether you're planning a move, comparing job offers, or evaluating real estate investments. This page breaks down housing costs, rent prices, and median household income for every city in Texas, with comparisons to national averages.
Texas's average home value of $180,264 is 26% below the national median of $244,900. The average median household income is $62,842, and average monthly rent is $783.
Most Affordable Cities in Texas
Cities with population 5,000+ ranked by lowest median home value.
| # | City | Home Value | Rent | Income | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fort Bliss | $0 | $1,624/mo | $55,267 | 12,009 |
| 2 | Fort Hood | $0 | $1,368/mo | $59,661 | 25,786 |
| 3 | Lackland AFB | $0 | $2,109/mo | $110,833 | 6,650 |
| 4 | Raymondville | $48,200 | $945/mo | $42,148 | 10,243 |
| 5 | Marlin | $49,800 | $739/mo | $38,000 | 5,500 |
| 6 | Olivarez | $68,000 | $961/mo | $62,985 | 6,566 |
| 7 | Donna | $68,500 | $734/mo | $38,082 | 16,774 |
| 8 | Mila Doce | $72,600 | $625/mo | $46,544 | 8,298 |
| 9 | Doolittle | $74,600 | $1,016/mo | $36,397 | 6,162 |
| 10 | Littlefield | $75,400 | $1,022/mo | $56,312 | 5,886 |
| 11 | Cameron Park | $75,500 | $758/mo | $37,140 | 6,180 |
| 12 | Breckenridge | $76,400 | $775/mo | $46,989 | 5,182 |
| 13 | Sweetwater | $84,000 | $862/mo | $45,720 | 10,484 |
| 14 | Childress | $84,200 | $934/mo | $59,662 | 5,964 |
| 15 | San Benito | $85,100 | $885/mo | $41,445 | 24,677 |
Most Expensive Cities in Texas
| # | City | Home Value | Rent | Income | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Highland Park | $1,887,300 | $2,216/mo | $250,001 | 8,774 |
| 2 | University Park | $1,766,700 | $2,940/mo | $250,001 | 25,104 |
| 3 | West University Place | $1,406,600 | $3,000/mo | $250,001 | 14,907 |
| 4 | Bellaire | $978,300 | $2,705/mo | $236,311 | 17,116 |
| 5 | Southlake | $957,500 | $3,501/mo | $250,001 | 31,044 |
| 6 | Lucas | $861,500 | $1,764/mo | $178,403 | 8,040 |
| 7 | Parker | $852,000 | $0/mo | $216,179 | 5,776 |
| 8 | Alamo Heights | $766,000 | $1,426/mo | $182,819 | 7,443 |
| 9 | Terrell Hills | $762,200 | $1,154/mo | $217,800 | 5,050 |
| 10 | Steiner Ranch | $723,500 | $1,880/mo | $195,181 | 18,683 |
Highest Income Cities in Texas
| # | City | Median Income | Home Value | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Highland Park | $250,001 | $1,887,300 | 8,774 |
| 2 | Southlake | $250,001 | $957,500 | 31,044 |
| 3 | University Park | $250,001 | $1,766,700 | 25,104 |
| 4 | West University Place | $250,001 | $1,406,600 | 14,907 |
| 5 | Bellaire | $236,311 | $978,300 | 17,116 |
| 6 | Terrell Hills | $217,800 | $762,200 | 5,050 |
| 7 | Parker | $216,179 | $852,000 | 5,776 |
| 8 | Heath | $216,160 | $681,500 | 10,218 |
| 9 | Belterra | $211,471 | $658,400 | 7,190 |
| 10 | Colleyville | $203,566 | $718,900 | 25,906 |
Cost of Living FAQ — Texas
What is the average cost of living in Texas?
The average median home value across Texas cities is $180,264, with average rent of $783/month. The average median household income is $62,842.
What are the cheapest cities in Texas?
The most affordable cities in Texas by home value include Fort Bliss ($0), Fort Hood ($0), Lackland AFB ($0).
What is the most expensive city in Texas?
The most expensive city in Texas is Highland Park with a median home value of $1,887,300.
How does Texas compare to the national average?
Texas's average home value of $180,264 is below the national median of $244,900. Median rent of $783/month is below the US average of $1,163.