Cost of Living in Magnolia, TX

Population 3,230 · Texas · Data vintage 2023

92
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Magnolia a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $285,000. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 0.6% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Located 14 miles west of The Woodlands, Magnolia falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 41% lower than The Woodlands' $479,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 94
Rent 89

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

About the Cost of Living in Magnolia

The median home value in Magnolia is $285,200 — 6% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,172/month, 11% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $70,516/year is 5% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 0.6%, 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 80.1°F and lows of 59.5°F. Overall, Magnolia has a cost of living index of 92 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 8% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$285,200
6% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$362,872
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,172/mo
11% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,809/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.3x
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 52.3%
Renter-occupied 47.7%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,172
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,786/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
34.8 min
29% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
13.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
72.6%
Carpooled
9.8%
Walked
3.3%
Work from home
13.4%

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
$70,516
5% below avg
Per Capita Income
$46,507
Unemployment Rate
0.6%
89% below avg
Poverty Rate
6.3%
Labor Force Participation
67.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 19.3%
Graduate degree 8.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 32.9
Male median age 32.7
Female median age 33.1

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
80.1°F
Avg Low
59.5°F
Annual Precip
50.8"
40° 55° 70° 85° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 636874808792949591827265
Low °F 434753596773757470605044
Precip" 3.532.703.363.834.945.373.734.875.195.583.983.74

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 53 — Moderate
41.5%
Good air days/yr
122
Max AQI recorded
216
PM2.5 days
148
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Magnolia, TX?

Magnolia has a cost index of 92 (100 = national average). It is 8% below the national average.

What is average rent in Magnolia, TX?

The median gross rent in Magnolia is $1,172 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Magnolia?

The median home value in Magnolia is $285,200 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Magnolia?

The median household income in Magnolia is $70,516 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Magnolia, TX?

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

Is Magnolia, TX affordable?

Magnolia is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 92 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Magnolia?

Magnolia has average high temperatures of 80.1°F and average lows of 59.5°F. Annual precipitation is 50.8". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Magnolia at a Glance

Population
3,230
Median Income
$70,516
Home Value
$285,200
Median Rent
$1,172/mo
Unemployment
0.6%
Avg High Temp
80.1°F
Sales Tax
8.2%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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