Among the 20 most populous metropolitan areas in the United States, Houston ranks 2nd when it comes to cities with the lowest cost of living.

Using data from the Council for Community and Economic Research and the Cost of Living Index, Q2, ‘22, the Greater Houston Partnership found that Houston’s cost of living is 8.6% below the national average.

Specifically, the Greater Houston Partnership found that Houston residents experience one of the lowest costs of living for expenses like groceries, utilities, health care, and transportation. The only metro identified as more affordable than Houston was St. Louis, MO with a cost of living 14.3% below the national average.