Texas

Avg COL Index

97

vs. 100 national avg

Where the money goes

The biggest cost pressure in Texas is car insurance, at 34% above the national average. The biggest break is rent, at 27% below it.

Rent trend

Rent rose an average of 3.0% over the past year across the 29 cities we track, about in line with the 2.7% national change. Abilene saw the biggest move (up 29.1%), while Sherman was down 1.8%.

City to city

Where you live inside Texas matters. Typical rent runs from $1,119 in McAllen to $1,990 in Abilene, a gap of $871 a month or about $10,452 a year.

Affordability

Rent, gas, groceries, electricity and car insurance take about 39% of median household income in the counties we track, which ranks the 13th lowest of 51 states. Median household income there averages $73,734 (Census ACS 2023). Groceries are counted at what the average household in the region spends on food at home (BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey).

Energy and driving

Regular gas costs $3.45 a gallon, 13% below the $3.98 national average. A typical electric bill runs about $143 a month versus $166 nationally, and full coverage car insurance averages $2,880 a year versus $2,150.

Groceries

Grocery prices in the South rose 1.7% over the past year (BLS food at home), compared with 1.8% nationally. Item prices on our city pages are national BLS averages, so local stores may be higher or lower.