Monthly Cost of Living in Texas — Full 2026 Budget Breakdown
Quick answer
A single adult in Texas typically needs about $3,211/month, with rent of $1,450 (1BR) as the largest single expense. A family with kids runs closer to $5,394/mo.
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Total / month
$3,211
Rent (1BR)
$1,450
Rent (2BR)
$1,750
Cost index
92
What this means in real life
In Texas, the swing factor is rent. Houston pulls the averages up; smaller cities like Dallas often run 15–30% cheaper. Groceries, utilities, and transport are far more predictable — what changes a budget most is the apartment.
Cost breakdown — at a glance
Housing (rent + insurance)
$1,450
45% of budget
Transportation
$442
14% of budget
Groceries
$386
12% of budget
Utilities & internet
$179
6% of budget
Healthcare
$294
9% of budget
Entertainment & dining
$202
6% of budget
Misc & personal
$258
8% of budget
Monthly budget — full table
Housing (rent + insurance)
$1,450
45%
Transportation
$442
14%
Groceries
$386
12%
Utilities & internet
$179
6%
Healthcare
$294
9%
Entertainment & dining
$202
6%
Misc & personal
$258
8%
Visual breakdown
Housing (rent + insurance)$1,450
Transportation$442
Groceries$386
Utilities & internet$179
Healthcare$294
Entertainment & dining$202
Misc & personal$258
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Salary needed to live here
Rule of thumb: you want take-home pay of at least $3,853/mo to live comfortably — roughly $62,000/year gross.
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Common questions
These estimates are approximate and may vary by city, taxes, rent, family size, and personal spending. Use them as a starting point, not a substitute for personalised financial or tax advice.