Cost of Living in Texas
The cost of living in Texas is generally estimated to be slightly below the national average, though this varies widely between rural areas and booming metropolitan hubs. While residents typically benefit from the absence of a state income tax, these savings are often offset by higher-than-average property taxes and significant cooling costs during the summer.
Overview text is model-generated; see the note below.
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Monthly Cost Estimate
excluding rent
including 1-bedroom rent
Single person in Texas. Totals are the sum of the category ranges below (low ends added together, high ends added together), so a real budget usually falls somewhere in between.
Cost Breakdown by Category
Housing
$950 – $2,200
Monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment, ranging from rural areas to major city centers like Austin or Dallas.
Food & Dining
$450 – $750
Monthly grocery expenses plus a few meals out at mid-range restaurants.
Transportation
$350 – $600
Fuel, vehicle insurance, and occasional public transit or rideshare costs.
Utilities
$250 – $450
Electricity (notably high in summer), water, heating, and high-speed internet.
Healthcare
$300 – $650
Typical out-of-pocket costs for healthcare visits and monthly insurance premiums.
Entertainment
$200 – $500
Gym memberships, movie tickets, and recreational activities.
Build your own monthly budget
Starts at the midpoint of each estimate for Texas. Type your own amounts to see your total and annual figure. Nothing you enter is saved or sent anywhere.
Estimate: $950 – $2,200
Estimate: $450 – $750
Estimate: $350 – $600
Estimate: $250 – $450
Estimate: $300 – $650
Estimate: $200 – $500
Yearly: $3,825 × 12 = $45,900. Excludes taxes, debt payments, savings, childcare, education, car ownership and one-off costs such as deposits or moving.
New to ranges? Read how to turn these estimates into a personal budget.
Comfortable Living
Estimated monthly spending for a comfortable lifestyle in Texas, with regular dining out and leisure:
Including rent • Single person • Excludes income tax and savings • A separate model estimate, not derived from the category totals above
Frequently Asked Questions about Texas
The first answer is calculated from the figures on this page. The others are model-generated text; answers that quoted older dollar figures are hidden so they cannot contradict the totals above.