Cost of Living in Houston, MO - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $2,509 monthly including rent, or $1,031 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $3,690 with rent, or $1,917 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $4,871 including rent, or $2,802 for daily expenses alone.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$12.02 $12.02

$30.06 $30.06

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$86.2 $86.2

$52.7 $52.7

$122 $122

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.20 $11.20

$10.19 $10.19

$13.24 $13.24

Cappuccino

$5.61 $5.61

$5.10 $5.10

$7.14 $7.14

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.60 $2.60

$1.94 $1.94

$2.92 $2.92

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.15 $2.15

$1.49 $1.49

$2.98 $2.98

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.83 $5.83

$4.37 $4.37

$7.77 $7.77

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.31 $6.31

$4.85 $4.85

$7.77 $7.77

Milk (1 liter)

$1.13 $1.13

$0.94 $0.94

$1.63 $1.63

White Bread (500g)

$3.22 $3.22

$1.59 $1.59

$6.68 $6.68

Rice (white) (1kg)

$6.40 $6.40

$2.00 $2.00

$10.86 $10.86

Eggs

$4.85 $4.85

$1.91 $1.91

$7.12 $7.12

Local Cheese (1kg)

$18.36 $18.36

$5.47 $5.47

$44.12 $44.12

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.18 $16.18

$6.52 $6.52

$30.54 $30.54

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.18 $16.18

$11.66 $11.66

$18.00 $18.00

Apples (1kg)

$4.59 $4.59

$2.80 $2.80

$6.71 $6.71

Banana (1kg)

$1.29 $1.29

$1.08 $1.08

$4.34 $4.34

Oranges (1kg)

$3.61 $3.61

$2.78 $2.78

$4.44 $4.44

Tomato (1kg)

$2.78 $2.78

$2.22 $2.22

$4.54 $4.54

Potato (1kg)

$2.32 $2.32

$1.48 $1.48

$3.70 $3.70

Onion (1kg)

$2.64 $2.64

$1.47 $1.47

$3.12 $3.12

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.81 $1.81

$1.42 $1.42

$1.90 $1.90

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.66 $2.66

$2.44 $2.44

$2.93 $2.93

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.96 $9.96

$6.98 $6.98

$12.96 $12.96

Wine (Bottle)

$14.88 $14.88

$11.90 $11.90

$18.84 $18.84

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.88 $1.88

$1.31 $1.31

$2.75 $2.75

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.03 $3.03

$1.30 $1.30

$3.90 $3.90

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.05 $2.05

$1.28 $1.28

$2.05 $2.05

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.48 $3.48

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.54 $1.54

$2.15 $2.15

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$28.64 $28.64

$25.91 $25.91

$34.35 $34.35

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.72 $0.72

$0.67 $0.67

$0.80 $0.80

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$30.5K $30.5K

$29.5K $29.5K

$31.5K $31.5K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$34.0K $34.0K

$39.2K $39.2K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$192 $192

$176 $176

$279 $279

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$47.71 $47.71

$39.35 $39.35

$73.8 $73.8

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$49.55 $49.55

$124 $124

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.17 $42.17

$17.16 $17.16

$49.03 $49.03

Cinema Ticket

$14.90 $14.90

$13.90 $13.90

$19.86 $19.86

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,322 $1,322

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.6K $23.6K

$16.9K $16.9K

$27.4K $27.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$48.22 $48.22

$20.36 $20.36

$61.1 $61.1

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$39.69 $39.69

$25.44 $25.44

$61.1 $61.1

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$67.6 $67.6

$59.1 $59.1

$74.8 $74.8

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$68.7 $68.7

$54.0 $54.0

$98.2 $98.2

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,593 $1,593

$1,193 $1,193

$1,847 $1,847

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,365 $1,365

$1,008 $1,008

$1,512 $1,512

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,632 $2,632

$2,002 $2,002

$3,003 $3,003

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,235 $2,235

$1,710 $1,710

$2,514 $2,514

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,693 $2,693

$1,979 $1,979

$2,693 $2,693

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,624 $2,624

$2,126 $2,126

$2,624 $2,624

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.56

6.2

6.88

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to spend about $429 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $86.0 for two.

Cost Highlights

Gasoline is cheaper than 98% of cities in North America

Chicken fillets is more expensive than 95% of cities in North America

Rice is more expensive than 94% of cities in North America

Houston, MO Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Houston, MO - Frequently Asked Questions

In general, Houston, MO offers a comfortable balance of value and access for travelers, expats, and digital nomads. The Cost of Living in Houston, MO, United States tends to be modest compared with major metro areas, with flexible housing options and everyday expenses that aren’t dictated by tourist cycles. You’ll find a choice of quiet residential streets, practical amenities within easy reach, and a community that values local services and collaboration spaces. Tip: Test a few neighborhoods for commute and noise levels before deciding where to base yourself.

For daily routines, start with a stroll through the town center and nearby residential streets to size up housing options, from quaint rental units to larger homes. Grocery stores range from familiar chains to local markets, and you’ll find home-cooked meals common. Transportation leans on car use, with routes that connect neighborhoods and essential services; biking and walking are viable where streets are shaded and safe. Houston, MO, United States living cost remains approachable for a modest schedule. Tip: use map-based searches and neighborhood overlays to prioritize safety, convenience, and budget.

Quality of life in Houston, MO blends small-town charm with practical conveniences. Use a simple budgeting framework that tracks housing, groceries, transport, and leisure, plus a cushion for occasional splurges or repairs. Embrace seasonal realities by planning for hot summers and chilly winters with smart habits – cook at home, batch meals, and lean on public libraries or community centers for cooling in summer or warmth in winter. For neighborhood fit, look for shade trees, walkable blocks, and proximity to parks or coworking spaces. Tip: test long weekend stays in a couple of areas to gauge rhythm and community.

Living in Houston, MO doesn't come cheap – monthly expenses with rent reach $2,509, putting it among the pricier cities worldwide. Housing dominates the cost, but food, services, and leisure all sit above the global median too.

As of 2026, monthly living costs in Houston, MO come to around $2,509 including rent, or roughly $1,031 excluding it. Numbers shift a bit by season and neighborhood, but this range works well as a planning baseline.

Earning $3,763 monthly in Houston, MO means you're living well – a one-bedroom, regular groceries, transport, and some entertainment without stress. That's the threshold where most residents feel genuinely comfortable rather than just getting by.

Where you live in Houston, MO makes all the difference. Central one-bedrooms cost about $1,593; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $1,365. Overall, the market runs from $1,365 to $1,593 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.

Houston, MO isn't cheap for groceries. Monthly bills reach $429 for a single person, and even basic items cost more than in most comparable cities. Cooking at home is still the most economical approach.

At around $42.17 monthly, gym costs in Houston, MO are on the steep side. The price tracks with the city's overall high cost of services, though annual contracts and promotional deals can cut the bill.

At $2,509 in typical monthly expenses, a $2,500 budget barely covers Houston, MO. You'd need a shared flat in an outer area, home-cooked meals, and serious discipline with discretionary spending to make it work.