Cost of living in Texas: Food, transport, and more

If you want to stretch your budget without compromising on quality of life, Texas is a great choice. In 2026, the cost of living in Texas continues to rank among the most affordable in the United States, sitting roughly 7% below the national average. This makes it especially attractive for remote professionals looking for larger homes and up to date amenities.

In this article, we’ll cover all the key details about the cost of living in Texas so you can plan ahead. From renting a furnished apartment to grabbing a coffee in Austin, we’ll look at typical expenses. We’ll also take a closer look at transportation, since having a car is essential, and how healthcare and leisure fit into your monthly budget.

Get ready to see why so many digital nomads are choosing the Lone Star State. Join us for this detailed guide to help you decide if Texas is the right place to set up your office this year.

Housing costs

Housing is undoubtedly one of the biggest factors affecting the cost of living in Texas. The good news is that, unlike other major U.S. cities, the real estate market here is fairly broad. This helps keep prices reasonable, although cities like Austin have seen increases due to high demand from the tech sector.

• If you’re looking for the classic experience of a furnished apartment in a well-connected area, the average cost is around $1,850 per month. These apartments often include amenities like a gym and pool, which are almost essential given the state’s climate. It’s a great option if you don’t want to worry about buying furniture when you arrive.
• If you prefer a shorter, more flexible stay, Airbnb remains a solid option. A comfortable apartment in a safe, central area can run around $2,600 per month. The advantage is that all utilities are included in a single payment, making life much simpler for digital nomads.
• On the other hand, the concept of coliving has become increasingly popular in cities like Houston and Dallas. Sharing a modern home with other professionals can bring costs down to around $1,100 per room. This setup also gives you an instant community and fully equipped workspaces, which is especially helpful when you’re just settling into a new city.
• If you prefer the privacy of a mid-range hotel for your first few weeks, nightly rates are typically around $135. These hotels are practical, with reliable Wi-Fi and breakfast included, often located in business or commercial districts. They give you the chance to get to know the neighborhoods before committing to a long-term lease.

Overall, while housing costs have risen slightly, Texas still offers very competitive prices for basic services and groceries compared to states like California or New York.

And how much do basic services (utilities) impact the cost of living in Texas?

Beyond rent, basic utilities like electricity, water, and gas are a monthly expense you can’t overlook, especially given Texas’s extreme climate. During the hot summers, air conditioning use can cause bills to fluctuate quite a bit.

On average, the cost of utilities for a standard 85-square-meter apartment includes:

• Electricity: Between $155 and $231 per month, depending on the efficiency of the cooling system.
• Water and sewer: Approximately $45 to $60 per month.
• Natural gas: Around $35 per month, mainly used for heating and cooking.
• Garbage collection: Usually included in the rent or costs an additional $20.

In total, you should budget around $310 per month to cover these essential utilities. Interestingly, in cities like Houston, electricity costs tend to be a bit higher because the humidity forces air conditioning systems to work harder.

Cost of food in Texas

Food expenses in Texas are generally manageable if you know where to shop. Overall, groceries don’t have a huge impact on your monthly budget, especially since Texas is a major agricultural and livestock producer. This helps keep store prices lower than on the East or West Coast of the United States.

If we take a major U.S. supermarket chain as a reference, like Walmart or the popular Texas favorite H-E-B, prices are generally quite competitive.

• A 500-gram package of pasta costs about $1.25.
• A dozen large eggs costs about $2.80.
• A liter of whole milk costs about $0.95.

For protein lovers, Texas offers good quality at reasonable prices.

• A pound of beef (roast cuts) costs an average of $14.50.
• A kilo of chicken breast costs around $9.20.

If you need an energy boost, a good 250-gram bag of coffee to make at home costs $6.50, and a bar of dark chocolate costs $2.50.

Dining out is an important part of Texas culture. The most affordable options are usually food trucks and local fast-food chains, where you can enjoy a good meal for a low price. If you prefer a sit-down restaurant popular with locals, prices are reasonable and portions tend to be generous.

• A typical breakfast at a local café, including eggs, toast, and coffee, costs around $12.
• For lunch, a daily special at a neighborhood restaurant costs around $18.
• Finally, dinner for one person at a pleasant but not overly luxurious restaurant costs an average of $28.

Transportation costs

Getting around is a key part of your budget in Texas, since the state is largely car dependent. Although cities like Austin, Houston, and Dallas offer public transportation, most people, including digital nomads, prefer having their own car to navigate the wide urban and commercial areas with ease.

Public transportation (buses and light rail) is quite affordable:

• A single ticket costs an average of $1.25, while a monthly pass costs around $42.
• Taxis, on the other hand, start at around $3.50, and the cost per kilometer is approximately $1.60.
• Platforms such as Uber are very popular; a 15-minute ride in the city usually costs between $18 and $25 depending on demand.

If you prefer to drive, you’ll be happy to know that Texas tends to have lower fuel prices than the national average.

• A gallon of gasoline (3.78 liters) costs approximately $2.90.
• For those using electric vehicles, charging at home costs about $0.16 per kWh, while public fast-charging stations can cost around $0.50 per kWh.

Bicycle rentals are an excellent option for short trips in urban centers.

• Annual subscription services, such as MetroBike in Austin, cost around $150 per year for unlimited 30-minute rides.
• If you only want to use it for one day, a 24-hour pass costs around $12. It’s a great way to avoid traffic in congested areas.

When it comes to owning a vehicle, insurance is mandatory, and the cost depends on your driving history. As a reference, full-coverage insurance typically runs around $212 per month.

If you’re thinking about buying a popular new car, like a 2026 Toyota Corolla, the starting price is around $23,500. It’s a common choice for people planning to stay for an extended period.

Healthcare costs

Now let’s look at another key component of the cost of living in Texas: healthcare costs.

Healthcare in Texas is highly advanced, but it can take a serious toll on your budget if you’re not well insured. Unlike in some other places, there’s no universal public healthcare available for foreigners or digital nomads.

Access to public services is mostly limited to people in extreme poverty or citizens who meet very specific requirements, so as a remote worker, your best option will always be private insurance.

Taking out private health insurance is almost mandatory if you want peace of mind.

• For a young digital nomad, basic plans covering emergencies and preventive consultations usually start at $180 per month.
• If you prefer a more comprehensive plan, with lower copays and unrestricted access to specialists, the cost can go up to around $350 per month.

These insurance policies are essential to avoid extremely high bills. To give you an idea of the prices without insurance:

• A general medical consultation usually costs around $160.
• A routine visit to the dentist (cleaning and basic check-up) costs around $120.
• An appendectomy in a Texas hospital can cost anywhere from $25,000 to $45,000, including the hospital stay.

As you can see, the difference between having insurance and not having it is enormous.

As for over-the-counter medications, prices are fairly stable, and you can easily find them at pharmacies such as CVS or Walgreens.

• A box of 100 ibuprofen tablets (200 mg) costs around $12.
• Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is similarly priced at around $10.
• Other common items, such as cough syrups or basic allergy medications, typically cost around $15.

Impact of internet and phone plan prices on the cost of living in Texas

Connectivity in Texas is very competitively priced, thanks to strong competition among fiber and 5G providers. Most modern apartments are already set up for quick installation, and as a remote worker, you’ll be happy to know that network reliability is among the best in the country.

• For fixed internet at home, a standard fiber optic plan with speeds of 300 Mbps to 500 Mbps costs around $55 per month.
• If your job requires you to transfer large files or make a lot of high-definition video calls, a 1 Gbps (1,000 Mbps) plan costs around $70 per month.

Companies such as AT&T, Google Fiber, and Spectrum dominate the Texas market with offers that often include W-iFi equipment at no additional cost.

For mobile phone service, postpaid plans for a single line with unlimited data, calls, and national texts typically cost around $90.

If you are traveling with a partner or friends, family plans make it much more affordable, around $45 per person when you sign up for four lines. You also usually get 5G, which is incredibly fast in Texas cities.

How can I get internet and save money in Texas?

If you want to save money or just prefer to avoid long-term contracts and have data ready as soon as you arrive, Holafly’s monthly plans are a great option.

With a single subscription, you get 25 GB or unlimited data to use in the U.S. and over 160 other countries, so you don’t have to worry about roaming or finding a physical store. It’s perfect for digital nomads planning to cross into Mexico or Canada.

You can also use the eSIM in the U.S., though it’s mainly recommended for short stays. If you’re planning to stay in Texas for a longer period or settle there permanently, monthly plans will definitely be your best bet.

Important: If you are a frequent traveler and want to stay connected without worrying about expensive roaming or looking for a new SIM at every destination, Holafly’s subscription plans are for you. With a single eSIM, enjoy internet in more than 160 countries for a fixed price and no surprises on your bill. Travel without limits and connect easily and securely! 🚀🌍

Cost of leisure activities in Texas

Texas is famous for its motto, ‘Everything is bigger in Texas,’ and that applies to entertainment too. How much leisure costs depends on how much you want to explore, but the great thing is the state offers everything from world-class museums to rodeos and natural parks at a wide range of prices. This means you can enjoy all Texas has to offer without it having a big impact on your cost of living.

If you’re planning your weekends, here are five must-see attractions: Space Center Houston (NASA), the historic Alamo in San Antonio, the River Walk, stunning state parks like Big Bend, and of course, catching a Dallas Cowboys or Houston Astros game.

• General admission to Space Center Houston costs approximately $30 if you buy online.
• Admission to the Alamo is free, although guided tours cost around $20.
• If you enjoy nature, admission to Texas State Parks typically costs between $5 and $8 per person per day.

For common activities:

• Going to the movies costs an average of $14.50 per ticket.
• If you prefer theater or live shows, tickets for local productions or concerts in medium-sized venues usually start at $45.
• A visit to the zoo, such as the one in San Antonio or Houston, costs around $30 for adults.

When it comes to home entertainment, streaming and TV services are essential for nomads.

• A standard Netflix subscription costs around $15.50, while platforms such as Disney+ or Max average $14 per month.
• If you want a cable TV package or live streaming services such as YouTube TV, the cost rises to around $73 per month.

So, how high is the cost of living in Texas?

Overall, Texas offers a lot of value for the cost of living. Compared to other tech hubs in the U.S., it’s still very affordable, and you get plenty of space and high-quality services for what you pay.

For a solo remote worker aiming for a comfortable lifestyle, the average monthly budget is around $2,800. This covers a well-located one-bedroom apartment, a car with gas and insurance, a varied diet, high-speed internet, and some money for entertainment.

For a couple, sharing housing and utility costs makes living more efficient. The estimated monthly budget is around $4,200. This allows them to enjoy a larger or better-located apartment, have a car for getting around, dine out regularly, and still manage savings and health insurance.

Finally, for a family of four, the monthly expenses come to about $5,800. This usually covers a suburban house or a three-bedroom apartment, family groceries, basic school expenses, upkeep for at least one family car, and the recreational activities that a big state like Texas has to offer for kids.

Frequently asked questions about the cost of living in Texas

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Paula Henderson

Spanish-English Translator

Hi! I'm a Spanish-English translator working with Holafly, helping bring travel content to life for curious travelers. As a digital nomad with a passion for exploring, I'm always adding new spots to my bucket list. If you love to travel like me, stick around because you're in the right place to find inspiration for your next trip! ✈️🌍

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