Living in Houston: cost, climate, Chinese community & taxes

Houston at a glance for newcomers — every number is from an official source.

Metro area: Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX

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Warm wintersHot summersRainyLong commutesBig cityCheap rentCheap homesIncomes don’t go farFewer degree holdersNo state income taxSmaller healthcare sectorSmaller business sector

💰 Money

Cost of living (US = 100): 98.6 (below average)
Median rent: $1,469/mo
Median home value: $327k
Median household income: $81k

🌤️ Climate

January average: 53.8°F 12°C
July average high: 94.5°F 35°C
Rain + snow (water) per year: 51.84 in
Days ≥ 90°F / ≤ 32°F: 111 / 10 days/yr

NOAA station: Houston Intercontinental (USW00012960), 1991–2020

🥟 People & community

Population: 7.8M
Chinese / Taiwanese: 1.5% ~117k
Asian: 8.7%
Bachelor’s degree+ (adults): 37.3%
Computer / engineering / science jobs: 7.7%

🚇 Getting around

Commute by transit: 1.7%
Drive alone to work: 71.8%
Work from home: 12.1%
Average commute: 31 min

🧾 Taxes

State income tax (top rate): None TX
Sales tax (state + avg. local): 8.2%

✈️ Flights to China

No nonstop to mainland China from IAH — you’ll connect

💼 Compare job offers after tax →

Sources