Houston Gives You More Bang for Your Bucks

The fourth-largest city in the country is also one of the best bargains when it comes to cost of living.

Houston housing costs are 47 percent below the average for 23 metropolitan areas with populations of more than 2 million, according to the ACCRA Cost of Living Index for the fourth quarter of 2005. And Houston’s overall costs are 24 percent below the average for these large metros. In the broader context of nearly 300 urban areas in that survey, Houston's housing costs are 23 percent below the average, and its overall living costs are 12 percent below the average. This means that your dollar has a much higher buying power than in virtually any other city in the country.

Consider:
The average price for a new single-family detached home of 2,400 square-feet (four bedrooms, two baths, living room, dining and family rooms and attached two-car garage) was $201,679 in the fourth quarter of 2005. The U.S, Bureau of Economic Analysis puts Houston pre-tax, per capital income in 2003 at $34,578, 9.9% above the national average. In the last quarter of 2005, Houston’s average apartment rent was $.828 per square foot per month. With all you’ll save on living costs in Houston, you’ll have plenty to left over for shopping in the region’s world-class venues.