Last update: Oct 2026 United States 2.3M

Cost of Living in Houston, MO

For one person, living costs in Houston, MO are estimated at $2,699 a month, including rent and utilities, which take more than half of the total. Other living expenses average about $38 a day.

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Houston, MO

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Houston, MO actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Living costs for one person come to about $2,699 monthly including rent, or $1,163 excluding housing.

$2,699 /mo

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $3,960 with rent, or $1,995 without housing.

$3,960 /mo

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $5,221 including rent, or $2,828 for daily expenses alone.

$5,221 /mo
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.08 $18.08
$13.06 $13.06
$40.17 $40.17
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$77.5 $77.5
$50.0 $50.0
$150 $150
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.09 $12.09
$10.08 $10.08
$13.10 $13.10
Cappuccino
$5.18 $5.18
$4.05 $4.05
$9.10 $9.10
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.42 $2.42
$2.05 $2.05
$3.07 $3.07
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.75 $1.75
$1.02 $1.02
$3.06 $3.06
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.60 $5.60
$3.93 $3.93
$7.86 $7.86
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.20 $7.20
$5.14 $5.14
$8.69 $8.69
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.24 $1.24
$0.97 $0.97
$1.55 $1.55
White Bread (500g)
$3.80 $3.80
$2.17 $2.17
$5.31 $5.31
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.71 $5.71
$4.36 $4.36
$6.54 $6.54
Eggs
$3.90 $3.90
$1.96 $1.96
$5.89 $5.89
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.29 $13.29
$4.54 $4.54
$31.02 $31.02
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$15.41 $15.41
$6.49 $6.49
$32.57 $32.57
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$20.59 $20.59
$13.30 $13.30
$39.88 $39.88
Apples (1kg)
$8.21 $8.21
$2.16 $2.16
$12.97 $12.97
Banana (1kg)
$2.39 $2.39
$1.33 $1.33
$4.51 $4.51
Oranges (1kg)
$5.55 $5.55
$2.18 $2.18
$10.91 $10.91
Tomato (1kg)
$5.26 $5.26
$2.17 $2.17
$8.88 $8.88
Potato (1kg)
$4.32 $4.32
$2.21 $2.21
$8.87 $8.87
Onion (1kg)
$4.96 $4.96
$2.21 $2.21
$8.85 $8.85
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.83 $2.83
$0.99 $0.99
$3.47 $3.47
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.82 $2.82
$1.97 $1.97
$3.64 $3.64
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$8.24 $8.24
$8.11 $8.11
$10.26 $10.26
Wine (Bottle)
$15.19 $15.19
$12.15 $12.15
$19.24 $19.24
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.83 $2.83
$0.92 $0.92
$4.23 $4.23
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.22 $3.22
$1.63 $1.63
$5.86 $5.86
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.90 $1.90
$0.95 $0.95
$1.90 $1.90
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.40 $3.40
$3.40 $3.40
$3.40 $3.40
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.59 $1.59
$1.59 $1.59
$1.59 $1.59
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$39.87 $39.87
$39.87 $39.87
$39.87 $39.87
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.01 $1.01
$0.77 $0.77
$1.12 $1.12
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.7K $35.7K
$24.1K $24.1K
$37.9K $37.9K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.5K $24.5K
$24.3K $24.3K
$25.0K $25.0K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$244 $244
$151 $151
$402 $402
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$68.3 $68.3
$24.51 $24.51
$123 $123
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$74.7 $74.7
$59.2 $59.2
$118 $118
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$44.02 $44.02
$21.13 $21.13
$52.8 $52.8
Cinema Ticket
$13.93 $13.93
$11.94 $11.94
$14.93 $14.93
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,425 $1,425
$1,185 $1,185
$1,931 $1,931
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$23.6K $23.6K
$23.6K $23.6K
$29.8K $29.8K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.8 $58.8
$24.92 $24.92
$79.7 $79.7
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.41 $39.41
$29.56 $29.56
$78.8 $78.8
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$87.1 $87.1
$74.0 $74.0
$118 $118
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$119 $119
$80.2 $80.2
$175 $175
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,347 $1,347
$698 $698
$1,996 $1,996
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,292 $1,292
$994 $994
$1,494 $1,494
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,488 $2,488
$1,872 $1,872
$2,787 $2,787
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,150 $2,150
$1,600 $1,600
$2,499 $2,499
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,726 $2,726
$1,951 $1,951
$2,726 $2,726
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,291 $2,291
$1,846 $1,846
$2,291 $2,291
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.72
6
7.58

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

Last update: October 12, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Houston, MO $2,699
Accommodation & Living
$1.3K
Groceries & Markets
$490
Monthly Utilities & Internet
$387
Eating Out
$302
Clothing & Footwear
$137
Sport & Entertainment
$72
Getting Around
$19 *

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

Expect to spend about $490 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $78.0 for two.

Cost Highlights

Houston, MO is more expensive than 90% of cities worldwide and 76% within North America.

Good to know
🕒 Local time
00:27 12:27 AM
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
2,304,580
💱 Currency
📈 Exchange rate
Exchange rates and currency converter

EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

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Houston, MO Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

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Fixed Broadband

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Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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Cost of Living in Houston, MO - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston, MO generally affordable for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and how does it compare to larger cities?
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.
What does daily life look like in terms of housing search, food options, transport, and errands in Houston, MO?
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.
How can you plan for quality of life, budgeting, and seasonal changes to find the right neighborhood fit in Houston, MO?
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.
What drives the high cost of living in Houston, MO?
Living in Houston, MO doesn't come cheap – monthly expenses with rent reach $2,699, putting it among the pricier cities worldwide. Housing dominates the cost, but food, services, and leisure all sit above the global median too.
How much does it cost to live in Houston, MO in 2026?
As of 2026, monthly living costs in Houston, MO come to around $2,699 including rent, or roughly $1,163 excluding it. Numbers shift a bit by season and neighborhood, but this range works well as a planning baseline.
How much should you earn to live well in Houston, MO?
Earning $4,049 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.
How much should I budget for housing in Houston, MO?
Where you live in Houston, MO makes all the difference. Central one-bedrooms cost about $1,347; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $1,292. Overall, the market runs from $1,292 to $1,347 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.
How much does grocery shopping cost per month in Houston, MO?
Houston, MO isn't cheap for groceries. Monthly bills reach $490 for a single person, and even basic items cost more than in most comparable cities. Cooking at home is still the most economical approach.
What does fitness cost in Houston, MO?
At around $44.02 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.
Can a person live on $2,500 monthly in Houston, MO?
At $2,699 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.

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