Lowest Cost of Living

In Houston, your dollar has a much higher buying power than virtually any other major metropolitan area in the country.

The First Quarter 2012 ACCRA Cost of Living Index shows that Houston has the lowest overall cost of living among the 29 metropolitan areas with more than 2 million residents. Houston's housing costs are 37.4 percent below the average for these large metro areas and its overall costs are 19.6 percent below the average for this group.

The First Quarter 2012 ACCRA Cost of Living Index also shows that Houston's overall after-taxes living costs are 9.6 percent below the nationwide average, largely due to housing costs that are 18.8 percent below the average. Bargain housing prices and a low tax burden keep living expenses in Houston below those in most other metropolitan areas.