One app for all your study abroad needs
Cost of Living in Houston: Houston is one of the most populous cities in Texas and the Southern United States. For all those students wanting to pursue their higher education here, it is crucial for them to understand the cost of living. Houston is famous for its huge international community, cultural diversity and much more. Over the years, it has become a global city with people from all over the world.
In this blog, we will talk about the cost of living to study in Houston and will even provide you with some insights into accommodation, cost of food and other daily living expenses.
This Blog Includes:
Why Choose Houston to Study Abroad
Houston is considered to be one of the top study destinations for all students, be it local or international. It has a great number of universities which provide students with a unique number of courses. Moreover, this place is known for its diverse culture and affordability.
Speaking of which, here is a quick break up of all the essential items which the students will need. By looking at this, you will get a fair idea about your expenses. Keep in mind that the below-mentioned prices can vary based on place, time and individual.
Cost of Living
Living in Houston is definitely more expensive than the others situated nearby such as Austin and Dallas. At the time of calculating the cost of living in Houston, it is very important for the student to take into consideration, utility bills, electricity bills, food and several other expenses.
Here is a breakdown of the estimated expenses the student will have to incur if they wish to study in Houston.
Also Read: Cost of Living in Boston: A Guide
Transportation
All those students aiming to stay in Houston will most likely have to find an affordable means of transportation. This will be useful in commuting to the college every day, carrying out day-to-day activities etc. Fortunately, Houston has a great means of transportation.
If you are looking for means of transportation then there are two options you can for, these are:
- B-Cycle: This is a low-cost bike program which allows anyone to pick up a bike and travel around. The cost varies on what place you plan to go and the distance. Moreover, this is a sustainable option which will help in reducing traffic and air congestion.
- Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO): It is one of the most affordable transportation which can be availed by anyone in the city. One day pass for a student will most likely cost around $3 (around Rs 300). The metro even offers people local and park-and-ride services.
The above-mentioned are the two best options for the student to commute.
Food/Restaurants
This is one of the most important factors when calculating expenses while living in a new place. Although, predicting the actual costs can be very difficult as the prices are always varying.
Below mentioned is a table which shows the predicted costs which will be endured in buying certain food items.
| Food Items | Price |
| Milk | $1 (around INR 90) |
| Eggs | $4 (around INR 331) |
| Bread | $4 (around INR 331) |
| Restaurant | $3 (around INR 300) |
| Water | $3 (around INR 300) |
In order to save money, one can always opt for healthy meal choices and plan meals ahead of time. Another way is by not always eating outside and instead cooking food at home.
Utility Bill
When considering living alone, it is very crucial for the student to keep a tab on some of the basic utilities. These include electricity bills, cooling, getting hot water and several others. The amount of expenses cannot be listed here as they all differ from area to area, the type of place and other such factors.
However, if one gets to share a flat with their friends can often prove cost-effective. Moreover, it can reduce unnecessary expenses on utilities which will typically be charged per household than the individual.
Entertainment/ Hangout Places
As mentioned above, the cost of entertainment and hangout places cannot be listed. The source of entertainment will be different for each individual. However, one can always control their needs which in turn will control their expenses.
Accommodation/Housing
When planning to stay in Houston for study purposes, it is recommended that the student should choose affordable student accommodations. This will help them in saving a lot of money. Here is a rough estimate of the amount that the student will get to spend when living in such type of places.
| Type of Apartment | Cost |
| Ensuites | $900-$6000 |
| Studio | $800-$2000 |
| Non-Ensuites | $600- $1300 |
Keep in mind that the above-mentioned price is not fixed and has a chance to carry from place to place and the condition of the apartment.
Also Read: Cost of Studying in USA
Average Tuition Fees in Houston
One of the most famous universities in Houston is the Univeristy of Houston. So, here are the average tuition fees which the student will be required to pay. This will too vary from every university.
| Resident | Non-Resident | |
| Tuition Fees | $11,000 | $27,000 |
| Fees Required | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| Total Fees | $12,000 | $30,000 |
Please note that the above-mentioned prices might differ every year.
Things to Know/Consider When Moving to Houston
When moving to Houston, it is important for the student to know some basic information about the place, in this it is Houston. Here are a few things which they should consider when planning to go abroad.
- Houston is known for world-class dining, shopping, entertainment and much more. There’s definitely no shortage of budget-friendly activities such as museums, theatres, and parks.
- Houston offers some of the top-rated schools for students to pursue their higher education. With the mix of urban and suburban settings, the city is known for its competitive in-state and tuition degrees.
- The city provides its people with a reasonable cost of living.
FAQs
No, the city is known for offering a low cost of living while offering a high quality of life. According to statistics, Houston is the third city to be offering the lowest living costs among the most populous U.S. metro areas.
It depends for what purpose you are planning to move. Although the city offers affordable housing, a low cost of living and no state income tax. The city is a great place to live in.
In Houston, there is no income tax, low sales tax, and risk of flooding. All these factors lead to cheaper conditions for anyone wanting to live in Houston. Houston also provides cheaper groceries as compared to other states in the US.
This was all about the Cost of living in Houston. If you are aspiring to study in Houston then contact Leverage Edu where our experts will help you in your study abroad journey, making it a hassle-free experience.
To find a student accommodation that matches your budget and needs, take help from Leverage Edu’s Accommodation experts to book the best homes for your journey abroad.
45,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. Take the first step today.