Cost of Living in Texas

Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to easily compare the cost of living in your current location to the cost of living in a new location. We use the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and salary differentials of over 300+ US cities to give you a comparison of costs and salary. Let us help you make an informed decision about what it will cost to live and work in the city of your dreams!
About Texas    Texas (/ˈtɛksəs/, locally /ˈtɛksɪz/; Spanish: Texas or Tejas Spanish pronunciation: [ˈtexas] (listen)) is the second largest state in the United State....More
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour while Texas's state law sets the minimum wage rate at $7.25 per hour in 2023. Demands for a living wage that is fair to workers have resulted in numerous location-based changes to minimum wage levels. View future changes in the minimum wage in your location by visiting Minimum Wage Values in Texas


Cost of Living Index in Major Cities of Texas

A comparison of the Cost of Living indexes across major Texas Cities compared to the national average. The calculations are based on the total cost of energy, food, healthcare, housing and transportation, among other factors.


City, State Compared to national average
City, State Houston, Texas Compared to national average
-5.4%
City, State San Antonio, Texas Compared to national average
-7.9%
City, State Dallas, Texas Compared to national average
+ 7.0%
City, State Austin, Texas Compared to national average
+ 9.1%
City, State Fort Worth, Texas Compared to national average
+ 1.2%
City, State El Paso, Texas Compared to national average
-15.8%
City, State Arlington, Texas Compared to national average
+ 1.0%
City, State Corpus Christi, Texas Compared to national average
-8.8%
City, State Plano, Texas Compared to national average
+ 7.1%
City, State Laredo, Texas Compared to national average
-15.7%
City, State Abilene, Texas Compared to national average
-10.9%
City, State Amarillo, Texas Compared to national average
-10.5%
City, State Beaumont, Texas Compared to national average
-11.3%
City, State Brownsville, Texas Compared to national average
-19.2%
City, State Carrollton, Texas Compared to national average
+ 7.1%
City, State Denton, Texas Compared to national average
+ 4.6%
City, State Frisco, Texas Compared to national average
+ 7.0%
City, State Galveston, Texas Compared to national average
-2.1%
City, State Garland, Texas Compared to national average
+ 7.1%
City, State Grand Prairie, Texas Compared to national average
+ 6.8%
City, State Harlingen, Texas Compared to national average
-23.2%
City, State Irving, Texas Compared to national average
+ 7.0%
City, State Killeen, Texas Compared to national average
-15.0%
City, State Longview, Texas Compared to national average
-8.5%
City, State Lubbock, Texas Compared to national average
-8.8%
City, State Mcallen, Texas Compared to national average
-21.0%
City, State Mckinney, Texas Compared to national average
+ 6.8%
City, State Mesquite, Texas Compared to national average
+ 6.9%
City, State Midland, Texas Compared to national average
-9.6%
City, State Odessa, Texas Compared to national average
-9.6%
City, State Pasadena, Texas Compared to national average
-5.7%
City, State Port Arthur, Texas Compared to national average
-12.1%
City, State Richardson, Texas Compared to national average
+ 7.1%
City, State Round Rock, Texas Compared to national average
+ 8.7%
City, State Temple, Texas Compared to national average
-14.9%
City, State Waco, Texas Compared to national average
-14.2%
City, State Wichita Falls, Texas Compared to national average
-12.7%



Cost of Living by Cities in Texas



Cost of Living by Major Cities

Click to see the cost of living for these major U.S. cities.


If you'd like to know the cost of living in other cities, then please select a city in



About Texas

Texas (/ˈtɛksəs/, locally /ˈtɛksɪz/; Spanish: Texas or Tejas Spanish pronunciation: [ˈtexas] (listen)) is the second largest state in the United States by both area and population. Geographically located in the South Central region of the country, Texas shares borders with the U.S. states of Louisiana to the east, Arkansas to the northeast, Oklahoma to the north, New Mexico to the west, and the Mexican states of Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas to the southwest, while the Gulf of Mexico is to the southeast. Houston is the most populous city in Texas and the fourth largest in the...
Source: Wikipedia (as of 04/11/2019). Read more from Wikipedia



Comments about the Cost of Living in Texas

Texas is a tax-friendly state with a low cost of living for some.

Texas has no state income tax! This means that if you work in Texas, your paycheck will be free of taxes other than the federal income taxes. The absence of state income tax will make your take-home pay higher and provide more income for the basic cost of living purchases. Texas does, however, have a statewide 6.25% sales tax. There may be additional local sales or use taxes up to 2% depending on where you live. Texas generates a lot of tax revenue from royalties and taxes on oil and natural-gas production. ( 2023-07-25 salary.com )

Healthcare access and affordability and your cost of living

Texas is ranked number 51 out of all states in overall healthcare access and affordability. Healthcare costs make up a significant part of the cost of living. The ability to afford healthcare as well as the ability to access care are key indicators of how much you will be paying for this important resource if you move to another state. Affordability is generally measured by the rates set for insurance coverage in a state, as well as the out-of-pocket expenses that need to be paid by you when receiving the care. If rates or out-of-pocket expenses are high, your cost of living will increase. Access to healthcare is how easy or difficult it may be to receive the care. Access is measured by identifying barriers that might prevent the delivery of care such as the inability to obtain insurance coverage, having to travel long distances to health care centers and lack of sufficient facilities and/or healthcare professionals. The timeliness of care, how fast you can get to see a healthcare provider, is another important measure. ( 2023-07-25 salary.com )

Hot summers and the cost of living

Texas has one of the highest state-wide average temperatures during the summer months of June, July, and August. If you live in Texas, it is likely that your air conditioner will be running non-stop for most of the summer. This could contribute to higher energy costs during the summer based on your thermostat setting and preference for a cool indoor climate. A hot summer is usually followed by cooler temperatures during the winter months when heating expenses may be low. Because the cost of living is linked to energy costs, expect an increase in those costs during the summer months if you live in Texas. ( 2023-07-25 salary.com )



Cost of Living Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Cost of Living index and how is it used?

In the simplest terms, a Cost of Living index is the estimated amount that represents the cost of the basic necessities required for an individual to live. A cost of living or COL estimate may typically include estimates for housing, food, energy, medical care, transportation, taxes, and other necessities. A COL index may be used to measure what the cost difference would be for a person living in a certain location compared to another location. This cost of living comparison helps individuals make decisions about where they would like to live and what they can afford based on the costs in that location. A cost of living comparison can provide guidance about how an increase or decrease in these basic living expenses impacts necessary spending for an individual or a family. ( 2023-07-25 salary.com )

What factors are included in estimating your cost of living?

The Salary.com cost of living calculator estimate is based on data related to five general categories: housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and energy. These are the universally recognized core components of any cost of living estimate and represent those expenses that apply to everyone. Obviously, there may be other factors that could contribute to your particular cost of living situation and not everyone has the same spending habits. For example, education and/or childcare costs might not apply to everyone, but for those who have those expenses, they could be significant and should be considered when you evaluate your cost of living comparison. ( 2023-07-25 salary.com )

The Salary.com cost of living calculator is unique in that it also incorporates current salary data for thousands of jobs specific to a chosen home or work location to provide a more refined estimate of the cost of living variations. You can see how your job and your salary will be impacted by a change of location. If you live in one location but work in another, the cost of living calculator will make those adjustments to provide an accurate estimate of the change in COL. The Salary.com cost of living calculator helps you to make cost of living comparisons cost comparisons easily and quickly. ( 2023-07-25 salary.com )


Last Update: 2023-07-25