Houston, Texas
In Houston, Texas, a gallon of regular gas costs $3.77 as of 2026-04-01 — $0.29 below the national average of $4.06. The average monthly rent for all unit types is $1,620, compared to the national average of $1,900. Grocery inflation is running at 5.27% year-over-year. Since 2022, bread prices have increased significantly while egg prices have been volatile due to avian flu outbreaks. Houston's cost-of-living index of 98 puts it below the national average of 100.
Key Numbers
Gas (Regular)
$3.77
National: $4.06
Avg Rent (All)
$1,620
National: $1,900
Grocery Inflation
5.27%
Year-over-year
Fast Food Avg
$13.00
Combo meal
Electricity
15.69¢
per kWh · ~$141/mo
Car Insurance
$240/mo
$2,880/yr
Median Household Income
$73,104
35.4% goes to essentials
Car Insurance
Avg $2,880 in Houston. Compare rates:
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Some prices above are regional estimates. Submit a receipt from a local store to help us show what Houston residents actually pay.
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Find Apartments
Avg rent $1,620/mo in Houston. Browse listings:
Grocery Prices
Grocery Prices — 2000 to Present
National BLS averages · submit local prices below ↓
Eggs (dozen)
Bird flu volatility
$2.58 BLS avg
Milk (gallon)
$4.10 BLS avg
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.75 BLS avg
Bread (loaf)
$1.84 BLS avg
Chicken Breast (lb)
$2.04 BLS avg
$4.99 @ Kroger - Studemont (KROGER)
Butter (lb)
$5.08 BLS avg
Bacon (lb)
$7.72 BLS avg
Cheddar Cheese (lb)
$6.83 BLS avg
Pasta (lb)
$1.88 BLS avg
Rice (5 lb)
$5.02 BLS avg
Coffee (12 oz)
$12.03 BLS avg
Orange Juice (64 oz)
Citrus shortage
$5.60 BLS avg
Potatoes (5 lb)
$4.71 BLS avg
Apples (3 lb)
$5.47 BLS avg
Tomatoes (lb)
$2.88 BLS avg
Lettuce (head)
$2.23 BLS avg
Cooking Oil (48 oz)
$7.26 BLS avg
Yogurt (32 oz)
$4.70 BLS avg
Cereal (family size)
$6.20 BLS avg
Frozen Pizza
$9.13 BLS avg
| Item | 2000 | 2005 | 2010 | 2015 | 2020 | 2022 | 2026 | Since 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs (dozen)Bird flu volatility | — | — | — | — | — | $1.93 | $2.58 | +156.4% |
| Milk (gallon) | — | — | — | — | — | $3.79 | $4.10 | +44.6% |
| Ground Beef (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.55 | $6.75 | +354.4% |
| Bread (loaf) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.55 | $1.84 | +104.0% |
| Chicken Breast (lb)$4.99 @ Kroger - Studemont (KROGER) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.62 | $2.04 | +93.5% |
| Butter (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.07 | $5.08 | +24.8% |
| Bacon (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $6.43 | $7.72 | +20.1% |
| Cheddar Cheese (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $5.74 | $6.83 | +19.0% |
| Pasta (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.43 | $1.88 | +31.5% |
| Rice (5 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.07 | $5.02 | +23.3% |
| Coffee (12 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $8.25 | $12.03 | +45.8% |
| Orange Juice (64 oz)Citrus shortage | — | — | — | — | — | $3.80 | $5.60 | +47.4% |
| Potatoes (5 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.08 | $4.71 | +15.4% |
| Apples (3 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.54 | $5.47 | +20.5% |
| Tomatoes (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $2.20 | $2.88 | +30.9% |
| Lettuce (head) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.73 | $2.23 | +28.9% |
| Cooking Oil (48 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $5.17 | $7.26 | +40.4% |
| Yogurt (32 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.03 | $4.70 | +16.6% |
| Cereal (family size) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.85 | $6.20 | +27.8% |
| Frozen Pizza | — | — | — | — | — | $6.14 | $9.13 | +48.7% |
Dining & Restaurants
Fast Food Meal
$13.00
Casual Dining
$21.41
Monthly Spend
$324.73
+5.21% YoYChain Restaurant Meal Prices — 2022 vs. Today
Combo meal / typical order for one
McDonald's
2022: $6.78
$10.94
+61.4%Wendy's
2022: $7.66
$11.82
+54.3%Chipotle
2022: $8.21
$12.25
+49.2%Starbucks
2022: $3.84
$5.34
+39.1%Eating out more? Save on groceries with Ibotta and cook at home more often.
Looking for an Apartment in Houston?
Average 1BR: $1,328/mo · 2BR: $1,912/mo
Local Workforce
2024 · BLS QCEWTotal Jobs
2446k
Median Weekly Pay
$1,703
$89k/yr
Top Sector
Trade, Transportation & Utilities
Household vs Worker Pay
$73k
household median
Employment by Sector — Houston
% of local workforce · avg weekly wage · 5-year growth trend
~$81k/yr
~$110k/yr
~$71k/yr
~$33k/yr
~$104k/yr
Source: BLS QCEW 2024 Annual · County FIPS 48201
Highest Paying Sector
Financial Activities
$2,512/wk · $131k/yr
Most Workers (lowest wage)
Leisure & Hospitality
$633/wk · $33k/yr
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