Counties › Texas

Cost of Living in Harris County, TX

Population 4,838,303 · Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates

Median rent$1,401
Median home value$276,600
Median household income$74,983

The median rent in Harris County, TX is $1,401/month, about the same as the Texas median and about the same as the U.S. median. The median home value is $276,600, 17% lower than the national median. Households earn a median of $74,983 a year, 4% lower than the state median.

Affordability

Rent as a share of median income: 22.4%
Income needed for median rent (30% rule): $56,040/yr
Home price-to-income ratio: 3.7×
Est. mortgage on the median home (20% down, 6.5% for 30 yrs, principal + interest): $1,399/mo

Run your own numbers: mortgage calculator · hourly to salary

Harris County vs. Texas vs. U.S.

Harris CountyTexasU.S.
Median rent$1,401$1,403$1,413
Median home value$276,600$283,800$332,700
Median household income$74,983$78,476$80,734
Homeownership rate54.7%62.6%65.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher34.2%33.8%35.7%
Poverty rate16.3%13.8%12.5%
Unemployment rate6.7%5.3%5.2%
Work from home12.9%14.4%15.1%
Median age34.635.638.9

FAQ

What is the average rent in Harris County, TX?

The median gross rent in Harris County, TX is $1,401 per month (ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimate).

How much do I need to earn to live in Harris County, TX?

Using the common 30% rule, renting a median-priced home takes about $56,040 a year in gross income.

Is Harris County, TX expensive to live in?

Rent there is about the same as the U.S. median, and the median home costs about 3.7 times the median household income.

Other counties in Texas

Dallas County, TXRent $1,565 · Income $76,547Tarrant County, TXRent $1,547 · Income $84,207Bexar County, TXRent $1,354 · Income $72,341Travis County, TXRent $1,744 · Income $99,611Collin County, TXRent $1,859 · Income $121,600Denton County, TXRent $1,728 · Income $111,498

Counties with a similar cost of living

Williamsburg city, VARent $1,407 · Income $75,604New Hanover County, NCRent $1,417 · Income $75,166Fresno County, CARent $1,392 · Income $74,201Tompkins County, NYRent $1,411 · Income $74,024Madera County, CARent $1,390 · Income $76,627Buncombe County, NCRent $1,362 · Income $74,436

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Estimates have margins of error, especially for smaller places. This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

Explore more

Wix Alternatives for Small Businesses & Freelancers (2026)Best Web Hosting for First-Time Site Owners (2026)Mortgage Payment CalculatorDiscount CalculatorPlay: Tide Pool PopPlay: Orbit Dodge
Get the best finds weekly

New tools, top deals and new pages — one short email a week. No spam.