Whether you have a family and are looking to put down some roots or are a working professional hoping to jumpstart your career, moving to Houston is a smart decision. The metro area is home to acres of green space, a plethora of diverse communities, a robust local job market and plenty of affordable housing.
Here’s what you need to know before you pack your bags and move to Houston.
Houston, the Bayou City
With friendly southern charm set against a modern urban backdrop, Houston is a city that welcomes everyone. The largest city in Texas, living in Houston balances the sensation you get from major cities with plenty of open space and quiet suburbs.
Being in a major city, though, gets you a lot of perks. There are countless options for recreation and entertainment. And residents are never left lacking something to do.
If you’re thinking of moving to Houston, here’s a quick snapshot of this booming metropolis by the numbers.
- Population: 2,304,580
- Population density (people per square mile): 3,632
- Median income: $53,600
- Studio average rent: $1,339
- One-bedroom average rent: $1,297
- Two-bedroom average rent: $1,677
- Cost of living index: 93.1
The cost of living is 6.9 percent below the national average. Contributing to this is the fact that rental prices fall below the national average for both one- and two-bedroom apartments by a few hundred dollars.
Is Houston Texas a good place to relocate?
The strangest thing about Houston is its zoning laws. While most cities have distinct residential and commercial areas, the lack of zoning laws in the city has created a unique environment for development. There are still dense business areas and obvious neighborhoods, but things are just crafted in a different way.
This doesn’t make it any more difficult to find the perfect place to live in Houston, but it may get a little confusing, at times, when figuring out where the neighborhoods actually are. What’s good about this, though, is when city planning takes place, much of the focus is on walkability and green spaces.
Have a truly Texas experience
If you’re looking to live somewhere that offers experiences you won’t find anywhere else, Houston delivers thanks to one very special, annual event.
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, or RodeoHouston, is the largest livestock exhibition and rodeo in the world. This month-long event kicks off in the spring every year with a lot of bulls and horses, cowboys and barbecue. You’ll find a mix of competitions, demonstrations and attractions that may require more than one visit.
This is a true taste of Texas right in your Houston backyard.
Go to the park
Should outdoor activity score high on your city list, Houston has you covered. According to the Houston Parks and Recreation Department, there are 366 city parks and more than 200 green spaces throughout this populous city. Living in Houston puts you close to some amazing outdoor spaces that you can enjoy most of the year. This is because Houston has warm weather from March to May and again from September to November. It’s never that cold in the winter either, but watch out for the humidity of the summers.
Some of the best parks in Houston to enjoy include:
- Hermann Park: This 445-acre urban park sits right near the Texas Medical Center and Rice University. Hermann Park contains a golf course, outdoor theater, jogging track, rose garden and a museum.
- Memorial Park: The largest urban park in the Houston area gives you access to picnic areas, trails, playgrounds, sports fields and a golf course. With over 1,400 acres, there’s plenty of space to enjoy being outside even in the middle of those busy city streets.
- Houston Arboretum: A nature center located within Memorial Park, admission is always free. Extensive grounds and trails make it easy to get closer to nature and local animal life.
You may tell people that living in Houston is attractive for the city-feel, but for many residents, it’s the parks that sealed the deal.
The best Houston neighborhoods
Once you’ve settled on Houston as your new home, you’ll have to pick a place to live. No matter where you choose, it’s sure that your home is close to world-class cultural attractions, entertainment, fine arts, dining, sports and other recreational options.
Families and young professionals alike will have no trouble finding a few Houston neighborhoods they consider perfect. Some of the most popular communities and best Houston suburbs in the area include:
Downtown Houston
Welcoming to just about everyone, Downtown Houston is an eclectic mix of young professionals, empty nesters and even small families. Residents pick this because it’s in the heart of the action whether as sports fans, art connoisseurs or extreme foodies. This is the area that combines work and play like nowhere else.
Another perk of living in Downtown Houston is the ease with which you can travel from Point A to Point B. With the red line of the city’s light rail system touching most of the area, you can hop a train at any point during the day and not have to worry about driving or parking when off to try something new.
River Oaks
If you’ve got a big budget when it comes to renting, check out the high-end lifestyle in River Oaks. This neighborhood has no shortage of multi-million dollar mansions, with a mix of high-rise condos for those on a tighter budget.
You’ll find two major shopping centers within this community that are both walkable outdoor malls combining stores and restaurants. There’s also the River Oaks Theatre that shows foreign language films and art house selections. Schools in the area are excellent and the local park, known as Pumpkin Park, features a Cinderella-inspired carriage to climb on.
Memorial
With great schools, easy access to Energy Corridor jobs and high-quality medical care, Houston’s Memorial neighborhood is a popular choice with many middle-class families. The semi-suburbia feel of this area gives residents a little more taste of urban living than other communities might.
The Memorial City Mall and CityCentre both offer upscale shopping and dining options, as well as mixed-use office space. Several acres of green space, including Bear Creek Park and George Bush Park, are also located nearby.
Midtown
Set just south of Downtown Houston, the popular Midtown neighborhood is a hit with young professionals and families. Hip urban lofts and studio apartments line every block along with bars, restaurants and shops.
Residents of all ages and backgrounds will enjoy living in proximity to attractions like the Houston Zoo, Downtown Aquarium, Theatre District and the Museum District, as well as several top-notch universities and the world-renowned Texas Medical Center.
Montrose
If you’re looking to live in a neighborhood with an artsy and quirky vibe, you’ll feel right at home in Montrose. This community is conveniently located close to Downtown, boasts excellent schools and offers its residents a choice of historic bungalows or modern townhomes.
Artists, creatives and other free spirits enjoy the neighborhood’s walkable tree-lined streets dotted with independent record shops, thrift stores, dive bars, music venues, coffee shops, art galleries and restaurants.
Clear Lake
The suburban community of Clear Lake is just minutes from the beach and other tourist attractions, such as the Kemah Boardwalk, Tangier Outlet Mall and NASA’s Space Center Houston. The area is also only 35 miles away from Galveston.
Tree-lined streets, great schools, overall safety and plenty of backyard space attract families from all over the city. There’s also a big draw for professionals with its proximity to major industry hubs such as those in petrochemical, biomedical and aerospace.
Uptown-Galleria
As one of the most popular neighborhoods among new transplants, the Uptown-Galleria area offers easy access to world-class shopping and dining, along with a short commute to both Downtown and the Energy Corridor.
The Galleria is the largest shopping mall in Texas and is also home to the Galleria Office Towers, including the Galleria Financial Center. You’ll never be without somewhere to shop calling this neighborhood home.
The area also has its own large business district, centered around William’s Tower. In addition to even more shops, you’ll find oil companies and the headquarters for many of Houston’s radio stations.
West University Place
Also known as West U, West University Place is actually its own city within the greater Houston area. With top-ranked schools, a high safety rating and a central location, it’s another great place to call home in Houston.
Homes can get a little pricy, but the community has plenty of parks and its own historic shopping district — Rice Village. This walkable area, near Rice University, houses boutiques, bars, coffee shops and more for the enjoyment of local residents and nearby college students alike.
What salary do you need to live in Houston?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, unemployment in Houston has held relatively steady when compared to the rate six months ago. At 5.5 percent, it’s slightly above the national average, but that doesn’t mean Houston’s job market doesn’t lack employment potential. In fact, 24 Fortune 500 companies call Houston home, and the city ranks third among metro areas for Fortune 500 headquarters.
Opportunities within the Houston job market stretch across a variety of industries from the oil and gas industry to energy, technology and even sporting goods. A large number of colleges provide professional opportunities for academics, and the huge city population means plenty of jobs in hospitality, foodservice and retail. This booming job market rivals larger cities like San Francisco or Los Angeles.
With a median household income of $53,600 and a mean hourly wage of almost $27.00, many employees are making enough to live comfortably within the city. It helps that there’s no state income tax, and housing costs are, on average, more affordable than in other major cities.
The cost of living in Houston is almost entirely unheard of for a major American city. Even with a high sales tax of 8.25 percent and the cost of property taxes, the lifestyle made possible by a move to Houston will blow you away. Everything from housing to groceries is cheaper in Houston when compared to most large cities around the nation. And, again, that no state income tax thing really helps out during tax season.
Is Houston a good place to live?
With nearly 1.3 million people moving to Houston over the last decade, the city is experiencing record population growth. There are many perks to living here, which explain why people are moving to Houston in droves, but here are the top three.
Unbeatable diversity
As a true melting pot, Houston is one of the most diverse cities in the country. Transplants and immigrants of all backgrounds will feel right at home among Houston’s welcoming residents. Plus, this diversity leads to a fantastic local food scene with restaurants serving up everything from Cajun food to Tex-Mex.
NASA’s Johnson Space Center
For those interested in space exploration, whether because it’s just totally cool or you’re already an aerospace engineer, having NASA in your backyard is a good thing. It’s yet another one of Houston’s thriving industries and a great source of job opportunities.
Helping earn Houston the moniker of Space City, the Johnson Space Center is also a huge hub for education centered on space and space exploration. Just visiting gives you access to rockets, space suits, shuttles and more. Learn what it takes to travel to Mars and what it’s like up on the International Space Station.
Sports
Houston residents can get their fair share of professional sports teams no matter which sport they prefer. Living in Houston, you’ll meet die-hard fans of the Houston Astros during baseball season, and the Houston Texans when it’s time for football. If you love basketball, the Houston Rockets are always fun to watch, as well. There’s even a professional rugby team, the SaberCats.
The Houston food scene
With such a populous city, you know there are plenty of amazing places to eat. Every neighborhood has multiple restaurants to cater to the diverse taste of Houston residents in this big city.
Named one of America’s best food cities, residents rave about local favorites like chicken and waffles, crawfish and, of course, Mexican cuisine. Tex-Mex is a staple throughout the entire state, and Houston has grabbed some of the best restaurants serving up this cuisine.
Higher learning
You’ll find a lot of college students calling H-Town home thanks to the wide selection of higher learning institutions. Like most big cities, there’s a college or university out there to fit any major, should kids not want to go far from home. Among the list, you’ll find Rice University, a huge research university, right near the city’s Museum District, and Texas Southern University, an HBCU, is right Downtown.
The perfect home base to explore other Texas cities
Another great thing about living in Houston is its location. You’re perfectly situated to plan some excellent road trips. Not only that, but domestic and international travel is a snap with two major airports on hand. Both the George Bush Intercontinental Airport, a United Airlines hub and William P. Hobby Airport are at your service.
For weekend road trips, consider exploring the great (and large) state of Texas. Houston’s proximity to other fun Texas towns means in less than four hours you can get to other great Lone Star State cities like San Antonio, Dallas and even the state capitol, Austin. Texas’ fourth-largest city, Austin, is the closest at only 2.5 hours away.
The cons of moving to Houston
As wonderful as all of this sounds, Houston is far from perfect. The Bayou City has its quirks like any other. Before you sign on the dotted line, here are a few cons to keep in mind.
Time spent in traffic
Houston ranks 8th among the most traffic-congested cities in America, according to INRIX. The firm revealed that Houstonians spent about 58 hours driving in congestion in 2021. You’ll want to load up on a few good podcasts, grab a toll road pass and try to live as close to your workplace as you can.
Prepare for hurricanes
If you’re used to experiencing all four seasons, it may disappoint you to discover that the most significant “season” Houston has is hurricane season. Flash flooding is a real hazard. You’ll want to check if your new home is on a flood plain.
Hurricane Harvey, similar to the New Orleans hurricanes, touched land near Houston in 2017 causing major flooding throughout Texas towns. The total damage reached $125 billion. While this hurricane was devastating, there was also a lull of 47 years between it and its predecessor, Hurricane Celia.
Bugs as big as your fist
People aren’t kidding when they say everything is bigger in Texas. That includes spiders, roaches, wasps and mosquitoes. You may want to invest in a screen for your patio, a bug zapper and pest control to help keep the critters at bay.
Is moving to Houston a good idea?
Now that you know Houston inside and out, are you ready to make your move to one of the greatest cities in the United States? Whichever neighborhood you choose to call home, a move to Houston is one you won’t regret.
To make your move a success, check out our Moving Center for free quotes and other helpful information about planning your relocation to H-Town.
