Are you considering moving to Houston? The pros and cons of living in Houston discussed in this article will guide you.
In this article, I’ll tell you what it’s like living in Houston.
Let’s get started!
Living in Houston, the City With No Limits
Houston is the 4th largest city in Texas. With a population of 2.3 million and over 145 languages, it’s the most diverse city. Houston is known for its rich cultural heritage and global influence.
Houston was nicknamed the Bayou City because of its richness in moving, swampy waters. The city itself is built on a swamp.
Though surrounded by water, life in Houston is mostly hot. And that’s because of its humid subtropical climate. Houston experiences temperatures as low as 40°F in January and as high as 95°F in August.
Houston is also nicknamed the Space City because it’s home to NASA Johnson Space Center.
Finally, Houston is the paradise of every food lover. If you love food, you’d love Houston for having over 10,000 restaurants. These restaurants represent several cultures and countries in a thrilling fashion!
Summary of Pros and Cons of Living in Houston, TX
Not sure if Houston is a good place to live? These 10 honest advantages and disadvantages of living in Houston will help you.
Let’s take a look at the summary.
| Pros of Living in Houston, TX | Cons of Living in Houston, TX |
| Great Education | Hurricanes and Flooding |
| Availability of Jobs | Traffic Congestion |
| Truckload of Fun Activities | High Crime Rate |
| Subtropical Climate | Effects of Humidity |
| Diversity | High Sales Tax |
Advantages of Living in Houston, Texas
1. Great Education
Houston boasts of a standard quality of education. There are over 40 colleges, institutions, and universities in Houston to suit different interests.
According to Houston Report, there are over 200 private schools in Houston to choose from. For public provisions, Houston has the largest public school district in Texas.
It also ranks seventh-largest in the United States. Houston Independent Schools District has over 280 campuses with over 213,000 students enrolled.
Annually, close to 430,000 students are taught in colleges and universities. Out of this number, about 100,000 graduate each year. This means more educated people walking the streets of Houston.
On a larger scale, it also means well to the city’s economy, since human development is key to economic growth.
2. Availability of Jobs
Everyone who’s ever moved out of Houston says this is what they miss the most.
In 2021 alone, the people experienced massive job growth in Houston Texas. Professional and business sectors in the metropolitan area gained about 28,500 jobs. Health and education services had up to 23,900 job vacancies that same year.
Houston is also known for its abundance of companies. Entrepreneurs are often advised to live in Houston because of the opportunities they have there. You can find jobs on platforms like Indeed jobs and Simplyhired.
You don’t need to have a college degree to get a job in Houston. There is a job opportunity for everyone in Houston.
3. Truckload of Fun Activities
There’s never a dull moment in Houston. Here are some top attraction spots in Houston:
- Children’s Museum Houston (Free after 5 pm on Thursdays)
- Houston Zoo
- Space Center Houston
- The Galleria
- Houston Museum of Natural Science
- Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
However, you have to pay admission tickets to gain entrance into most of these places. Trip Advisor has up-to-date info on the price ranges.
If you’re looking for activities to spend less on or avoid admission tickets, international festivals top the list. In Houston, everyone can partake in public festivals since most of them are free or low-cost.
Here are some festivals and places to look out for:
- Houston Japan Festival
- Discovery Green
- Universoul Circus
- Insomnia Gallery
- Via Colori Street Painting Festival
- Dickinson Festival of Lights
On Yelp, you can read reviews before attending any of these free events.
4. Subtropical Climate
It rarely snows in Houston. However, you may experience cold nights that may go high below 5°C. But when it’s summer, it gets really hot. This is a disadvantage of subtropical climates.
Humid climates are most favorable to agriculture. Houston’s climate makes planting easy. Just like in South Florida, you can grow bananas, oleander, and palm trees easily in Houston.
5. Diversity
Living in Houston will expose you to several cultures. Houston is the most diverse city in the United States with a diversity score of 71.8 points.
According to WalletHub, the yardstick for measuring diversity was economic, social, cultural, household, and religious diversity.
Downsides of Living in Houston
1. Hurricanes and Flooding
With the surge of global warming in Houston, floods, and hurricanes have become frequent. Floods and hurricanes are mostly experienced in August. The most severe was Hurricane Harvey of 2017 which caused great losses to Houstonians.
There have been several predictions of more hurricanes since Hurricane Harvey hit. An expert called his prediction “America’s Chernobyl” — all in an attempt to capture the impact that’ll come with the next hurricane.
If you insist on living in Houston, you can take these precautionary measures:
- Get the right insurance to cover property damages
- Get an emergency supply kit
- Digitize or store important documents in waterproof cases
- Know your home flood risk
2. Traffic Congestion
A resident described Houston traffic as ever-present. According to the 2021 Urban Mobility Report, Houston ranked 3rd in the United States for traffic congestion.
Road rage is a ripple effect of traffic congestion. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, Houston recorded 365 road rage accidents in 2021.
There is also news of road rage shootings which have become a matter of concern for the government in Houston.
While traffic congestion can be totally frustrating, there are tips that can help you handle road rage like a boss.
3. High Crime Rate
Houston is safer than only 2% of U.S. cities. Statistically, the crime rate in Houston is 56 per 1000 residents. Your chance of being a victim of crime in Houston is 1 in 19.
According to Area Vibes, violent crimes are 224% higher than the national average. The normal crime rate is 132% higher than the national average. Compared to other cities in America, Houston has one of the highest crime rates.
This is an important consideration before moving to Houston. You can choose to live in safer areas.
4. Effect of Humidity
Coastal cities have more humidity because of the moisture trapped in bodies of water. Since Houston is close to the coast, it’s prone to mosquitoes and pollen (allergies) all year.
Summer also gets very hot regardless of the humidity. This is because all the water trapped evaporates during the summer. Nobody prepares you for that.
5. High Sales Tax
Not paying state income tax is an advantage Houstonians have over other cities. However, the burden of sales taxes can be annoying. This means paying 8.25% on most of your expenses.
You can be smart about your expenses too. All you need to do is buy in bulk to reduce the tax burden.
Finally…
Houston is generally a good place to live. Beyond the cons of living in Houston, I see a city where just anyone can thrive.
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Houston
Is Houston a good place to raise a family?
Raising a family in Houston, Tx, is not a bad idea. Houston boasts of some benefits that other cities don’t offer.
For what it’s worth, living in Houston is much more affordable than in other cities in the United States. Education in Houston is a major plus for your family. Needless to mention all the fun and diversity that’ll help your family thrive in Houston.
What is the cost of living in Houston, Texas?
The cost of living in Houston is much lower than in the rest of the United States. Here’s a summary by Numbeo:
- A single person in Houston can live on $893 (asides from rent)
- A family of 4 can live on $3,173 per month (asides from rent)
According to Best Places, the cost of rent in Houston varies depending on the level of comfort you want.
- 1 Bedroom Apartment – $960
- 2 Bedroom Apartment – $1144
- 3 Bedroom Apartment – 1518
- 4 Bedroom Apartment – 1949
Where are the safe neighborhoods in Houston?
If you’re referring to neighborhoods that are safe from hurricanes, there may be none. Because of how flat Houston is, there are no places entirely safe from hurricanes.
If you’re referring to safety from crimes, here are some neighborhoods to consider:
- Midtown
- Westchase
- Spring
- Sugar Land
- League City
- Fulshear
- Friendswood
- Kingwood
- Lake Houston
- Bellaire
Where are the affordable neighborhoods in Houston?
According to Extra Space, these are 5 safe and affordable to consider when you move to Houston:
- Westchase
- Clear Lake City
- Midtown
- Spring Branch
- Kingwood
Should I move to Houston or Dallas?
Depends on your preferences. Both places have advantages. However, if the flooding in Houston seems like a big deal, Dallas may be a good option.
Houston was set up on low land that’ll constantly make it susceptible to floods. Like I said earlier, it depends on your preferences.
Can I move to Houston without a car?
The transport system in Houston is not fantastic. This is why it’s advised that you own a car. However, not having a car should not stop you from living in Houston.
If you’d want to work and earn enough money for a car, then why not?
