Living in a big U.S. city can be exciting, but it doesn’t have to be expensive. While places like New York City are notorious for being costly, Houston sits at the other end of the spectrum—it’s one of the most affordable big cities in the nation. In fact, the average cost of living (COL) in Houston is about 2.5% lower than the average COL across the entire U.S.1
To show you just how affordable living in Houston is, here’s a side-by-side comparison of rent and general costs of living in Houston versus NYC.
Houston Rents vs. New York City Rents
On average, Houston rents are at least 50 percent cheaper than NYC rents.2 Here’s a look at the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in each city, broken down by neighborhood.
|
Houston |
Average Rent3 | NYC | Average Rent4 |
| Downtown | $2,135 | Brooklyn |
$3,195 |
|
River Oaks |
$1,875 | Financial District | $3,330 |
| Midtown | $1,796 | Tribeca |
$4,130 |
|
Medical Center |
$1,562 | Soho | $3370 |
| Montrose | $1,795 | Greenwich Village |
$3,375 |
| Greater Heights | $1,509 | Battery Park |
$3,625 |
Houston vs. NYC: Cost of Living
Rent isn’t the only thing that’s cheaper in Houston! Day-to-day living costs are also far cheaper in Houston than in NYC, as show in the table below.5
|
Type of Living Expense |
Houston Cost | NYC Cost |
| Utilities | $134 |
$144 |
| Internet | $60 |
$63 |
|
Groceries |
$30 | $53 |
|
Public Transportation |
$1.25 | $2.75 |
| Casual Clothing (one outfit) |
$78 |
$92 |
| Restaurants (mid-range for a 3-course meal) |
$65 |
$80 |
| Childcare (monthly, for 1 child) |
$863 |
$2,392 |
While Houston is clearly a far more affordable place to live than NYC, renters in Houston can actually get cash back when they move into a new place! That’s because Apartment GURUS has a FREE, cash-back offer for renters who work with us to find an apartment and sign a lease.
Want the Best Houston Rental Listings for FREE & Up to $500 Cash Back When You Sign a Lease? Contact Apartment GURUS
Finding the perfect apartment in Houston is easier than ever before! When you work with Apartment GURUS, you can get the best listings in Houston sent directly to your inbox at zero cost to you. That can save you a lot of time in your search, and it can put money back in your pocket after you sign a lease.
We’ll Find Your Dream Apartment For You!
Get Your FREE Custom Apartment List Now & Get Up To $500 Cash Back!
Start Your Search Now!
Apartment GURUS has been a trusted one-stop shop for apartment hunters in Texas for more than 10 years, providing the greatest inventory options backed by excellent service!
Check out our glowing reviews to see how we’ve helped thousands of others in their apartment searches – and to see how our program can benefit you! We also invite you to check out our latest deals, specials, and listings on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. We look forward to helping you find your next place to live!
_______________________________________________________________________________
1: According to these findings
2: According to this data
3: According to this source
4: According to this data