Cost of Living in Bellaire, TX

Population 17,116 · Texas · Data vintage 2023

275
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Bellaire's housing market reflects its status as a high-earning metro: $978,000 for a typical home, 221% above the US median, paired with household incomes around $236,311 that put it in the upper third of the state. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 3.0% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Located 7 miles southwest of Houston, Bellaire falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 286% higher than Houston's $253,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 321
Rent 206

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Bellaire

The median home value in Bellaire is $978,300 — 221% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $2,705/month, 106% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $236,311/year is 217% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.0%, below the national average of 4.8%. Texas charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. The climate averages highs of 79.8°F and lows of 62.5°F. Overall, Bellaire has a cost of living index of 275 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 175% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$978,300
221% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$1,155,177
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$2,705/mo
106% above avg
Zillow Rent
$2,477/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
30.1x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
1.7%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$766
1 BR
$811
2 BR
$981
3 BR
$1,307
4 BR
$1,509
Owner-occupied 87.9%
Renter-occupied 12.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$2,705
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $3,319/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
23.9 min
11% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
20.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
72.1%
Carpooled
5.1%
Public transit
0.5%
Walked
0.7%
Work from home
20.4%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) None
Total Sales Tax 8.2%
State rate 6.3%
Avg local rate 1.9%
Property Tax 1.7%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$236,311
217% above avg
Per Capita Income
$112,435
Unemployment Rate
3.0%
38% below avg
Poverty Rate
2.6%
Labor Force Participation
63.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 34.3%
Graduate degree 47.4%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 45.1
Male median age 44.3
Female median age 46.1

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
79.8°F
Avg Low
62.5°F
Annual Precip
55.6"
40° 55° 70° 85° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 646873798691939489827366
Low °F 465056626975777773645448
Precip" 4.092.853.284.085.426.094.595.445.765.783.904.34

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 64 — Moderate
12.1%
Good air days/yr
205
Max AQI recorded
239
PM2.5 days
102
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Bellaire, TX?

Bellaire has a cost index of 275 (100 = national average). It is 175% above the national average.

What is average rent in Bellaire, TX?

The median gross rent in Bellaire is $2,705 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Bellaire?

The median home value in Bellaire is $978,300 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Bellaire?

The median household income in Bellaire is $236,311 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Bellaire, TX?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Bellaire is 8.2%. Texas has no state income tax.

Is Bellaire, TX affordable?

Bellaire is above average in cost of living, with an index of 275 — about 175% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Bellaire?

Bellaire has average high temperatures of 79.8°F and average lows of 62.5°F. Annual precipitation is 55.6". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Bellaire at a Glance

Population
17,116
Median Income
$236,311
Home Value
$978,300
Median Rent
$2,705/mo
Unemployment
3.0%
Avg High Temp
79.8°F
Sales Tax
8.2%
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