Texas Cost of Living Calculator
Texas scores 90.8 on the C2ER cost of living index (housing 77.2, Q2 2026): $75,000 at the U.S. average equals about $68,100 here; its highest part is utilities at 100.6.
| Index | Texas |
|---|---|
| Composite (sets the equivalent salary) | 90.8 |
| Housing (sets the equivalent rent) | 77.2 |
| Groceries | 96.0 |
| Utilities | 100.6 |
| Transportation | 95.9 |
| Health care | 97.6 |
| Other goods and services | 95.7 |
Source: MERIC Cost of Living Data Series, C2ER (https://meric.mo.gov/data/cost-living-data-series).
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Pre-filled: MERIC (C2ER Cost of Living Index)
Additional Details
Pre-filled: MERIC (C2ER Cost of Living Index, Housing component)
Equivalent Salary Needed
Estimated • Based on your inputs
Salary Difference
-$6,900.00
Detailed Breakdown
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only. Results should not be considered financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a qualified professional for your specific situation.
How This Calculator Works
Calculation methodology and assumptions
Texas's figures fill the destination side: composite 90.8 for the salary, housing 77.2 for the rent, and none on wages for the tax line.
How the salary, rent and tax lines are worked out (the same for every state)
Key State Information
Texas ranks 15th lowest of the 50 states on the composite index (90.8). Median household income: $79,721 (U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year, table B19013). Statewide two-bedroom Fair Market Rent (HUD FY2027): $1,517 a month.
What Texas's index does to a salary and a rent
| Salary at the U.S. average | Same buying power in Texas | Rent at the U.S. average → in Texas | Texas income tax on that salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $45,400 | $1,000 → $772 | $0 |
| $75,000 | $68,100 | $1,500 → $1,158 | $0 |
| $100,000 | $90,800 | $2,000 → $1,544 | $0 |
| $150,000 | $136,200 | $2,500 → $1,930 | $0 |
Texas does not tax wages.
Texas and the states it borders
| State | Its composite / housing | $75,000 there = in Texas | $1,500 rent there = in Texas | $75,000 in Texas = there | Income tax there → here |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | 89.0 / 76.9 | $76,517 | $1,506 | $73,513 | 3.7% top rate → none on wages |
| Louisiana | 91.3 / 81.3 | $74,589 | $1,424 | $75,413 | 3% flat → none on wages |
| New Mexico | 90.2 / 82.4 | $75,499 | $1,405 | $74,504 | 5.9% top rate → none on wages |
| Oklahoma | 83.0 / 65.1 | $82,048 | $1,779 | $68,557 | 4.5% top rate → none on wages |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Texas?
Texas's composite index is 90.8 for Q2 2026, the 15th lowest of the 50 states. A $75,000 salary at the national average buys what about $68,100 buys in Texas.
Which prices are highest and lowest in Texas?
Against a U.S. average of 100, Texas's highest part is utilities (100.6) and its lowest is housing (77.2); utilities is above the national average, the other five at or below it (C2ER, Q2 2026).
What salary keeps a two-bedroom rent in Texas at 30% of income?
About $60,680 a year: Texas's FY2027 statewide two-bedroom Fair Market Rent is $1,517 a month, and $18,204 a year is 30% of that salary.