City guide · Houston area
Moving to Houston
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the U.S., with about 2.4 million people spread over 640 square miles. Rents are low for a big city, about $1,100 a month for a one-bedroom, and Texas has no state income tax, but property taxes are high and most people need a car. Summers are long and hot, and flooding and hurricanes shape where and how you live.
First time here? Moving to Houston? Start here →
What do you want to know about Houston?
What are the key facts about Houston?
| Fact | Houston |
|---|---|
| Population | About 2.4 million (Census estimate, July 2025) |
| Average 1-bedroom rent | $1,100 (Zumper, October 2026) |
| State income tax | None |
| Sales tax | 8.25% |
| Minimum wage | $7.25/hour (federal) |
| Living wage, 1 adult | $21.63/hour (MIT, Harris County) |
| METRO bus and rail fare | $1.25 |
| January average high / low | About 64°F / 44°F |
| July average high / low | About 95°F / 76°F |
| Hurricane season | June 1 to November 30 |
What makes Houston different?
There is no zoning
The City of Houston states plainly that it is not zoned. There is no citywide map that keeps homes, shops and offices apart. Instead, many neighborhoods rely on deed restrictions, private rules recorded for each subdivision, which the city can help enforce. In practice, a tower, a gas station or a warehouse can sit next to apartments. Before you sign, look at what is next door.
How expensive is it to live in Houston?
Cheaper than most big cities. MIT estimates a single adult in Harris County needs about $45,000 a year before taxes ($21.63 an hour) to cover a basic budget, compared with about $52,900 in Chicago, $54,000 in Miami and $79,500 in Manhattan. Rent is the biggest saving. Driving is the biggest cost: MIT puts transportation at about $8,450 a year for one adult, because most people need a car.
What taxes will you pay in Houston?
- No state income tax. Texas doesn’t tax wages, so you pay only federal income tax.
- Sales tax of 8.25%: 6.25% state plus 2% local.
- High property taxes. Renters don’t get a bill, but landlords build property taxes into rent.
Cash to move in: about $2,246 for a renter without a car (first month’s rent, a one-month deposit and a month of transit). See how Houston compares on move-in costs with the other cities we cover.
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What should you know before renting in Houston?
Renters have the upper hand right now. Zumper put the average one-bedroom at $1,100 a month in October 2026, down 9% from a year earlier, after a wave of new apartment buildings. Move-in specials such as a free month are common, so ask for one.
Texas law doesn’t cap security deposits, but landlords must refund your deposit, or explain any deductions in writing, within 30 days after you move out and give a forwarding address. Ask about flood history, which floor the unit is on, parking and pet fees before you sign. Texas leases must also include a flood disclosure.
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Browse Houston apartment buildings
Our free sister site, HoustonApartmentBuildings.com, lists 176 apartment buildings in Houston, with the year built, size, pet policy and amenities for each. Pick a neighborhood to see its buildings.
- The Heights / Washington Ave16 buildings
- Downtown15 buildings
- Galleria / Uptown15 buildings
- Memorial / Energy Corridor15 buildings
- Montrose / Museum District15 buildings
- River Oaks / Upper Kirby / Greenway15 buildings
- Texas Medical Center / Braeswood15 buildings
- The Woodlands / Springwoods Village15 buildings
- Westchase / Briar Forest15 buildings
- EaDo / East End14 buildings
- Spring Branch / Oak Forest14 buildings
- Midtown12 buildings
Some of the largest buildings in the directory
How do you get around Houston?
Most Houstonians drive. Living with little or no car is realistic mainly inside the 610 Loop, near METRORail.
- METRORail: three light-rail lines. The Red Line links Downtown, Midtown, the Museum District and the Texas Medical Center. $1.25 a ride.
- METRO buses: a network of local routes, with free transfers for three hours when you pay by card or app.
- Park & Ride: commuter buses from suburban lots to Downtown and other job centers, $2 to $4.50.
- Highways and toll roads: the 610 Loop and Beltway 8 rings, plus tollways that take an EZ TAG.
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What is the weather like in Houston?
Hot, humid summers and short, mild winters. These are averages from NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals for Bush Intercontinental Airport:
| Month | Average high | Average low |
|---|---|---|
| January | 64°F | 44°F |
| April | 80°F | 60°F |
| July | 95°F | 76°F |
| October | 83°F | 61°F |
Houston gets about 52 inches of rain a year, and heavy downpours can flood streets fast. Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. Know your evacuation zone, never drive into high water, and check whether your renters insurance covers flood damage (standard policies usually don’t).
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What is the job market like in Houston?
Houston’s economy is built on energy, health care (the Texas Medical Center), the port and petrochemicals, and aerospace. Typical annual salaries in Texas, from Bureau of Labor Statistics data compiled by MIT (MIT uses statewide figures for Texas counties):
| Job type | Typical salary |
|---|---|
| Management | $133,180 |
| Legal | $121,730 |
| Computer and math | $110,420 |
| Architecture and engineering | $102,180 |
| Healthcare practitioners | $97,480 |
| Business and finance | $86,050 |
| Education | $60,370 |
| Sales | $50,320 |
| Office and administrative support | $47,040 |
| Food preparation and serving | $31,040 |
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Where do newcomers live in Houston?
- Downtown and Midtown: high-rise and mid-rise apartments on the METRORail Red Line. The easiest places to live with little or no car.
- Montrose: walkable, older streets with restaurants, bars and museums nearby.
- The Heights: bungalows, low-rise apartments and trails, just northwest of downtown.
- Museum District and Medical Center: on the Red Line, close to Hermann Park and the Texas Medical Center.
- EaDo: east of downtown, newer buildings near the Green and Purple lines.
- Galleria/Uptown and the Energy Corridor: outside the Loop, near big office districts, with lower rents.
- Suburbs: Katy, The Woodlands, Sugar Land and Pearland for more space, with longer drives.
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Frequently asked questions about moving to Houston
How much is rent in Houston?
The average one-bedroom was about $1,100 a month in October 2026, according to Zumper, down 9% from a year earlier.
Does Texas have a state income tax?
No. Texas has no personal state income tax. Houston’s sales tax is 8.25%, and property taxes are high.
Do you need a car in Houston?
Almost everyone does. Living car-light is realistic mainly in Downtown, Midtown, the Museum District and the Medical Center, along METRORail.
How long do you have to switch your car and license to Texas?
30 days to register your car, after a passing emissions inspection in Harris County, and 90 days to get a Texas driver license.
When is hurricane season in Houston?
June 1 to November 30. Flooding from heavy rain is a risk all year.
What have we written about Houston so far?
Sources
- Population and land area: U.S. Census Bureau, QuickFacts: Houston city, Texas (Vintage 2025)
- Rents: Zumper, Houston rent research (October 2026)
- Living wage, budget and salaries: MIT Living Wage Calculator, Harris County (February 2026)
- Sales tax: Kintsugi, Houston sales tax rate (September 2026)
- Transit fares and transfers: METRO (accessed October 2026)
- Security deposits: Texas Property Code, Chapter 92
- Car registration and license deadlines: TxDMV, New to Texas (accessed October 2026)
- Weather: NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 normals for Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport; see our Houston weather guide for the full table
- No zoning and deed restrictions: City of Houston Legal Department, Deed restriction FAQ (accessed October 2026)