Cost of Living in Prairie View, TX
Population 8,220 · Texas · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Prairie View's demographic profile reads like a college town: median age of 21, and 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree — a share well above the national baseline. Housing and rent cycles track the academic calendar more than the broader Texas economy. Around 37% of residents live below the federal poverty line, a rate that tends to correlate with the income and housing figures above.
Located 30 miles west of The Woodlands, Prairie View falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 64% lower than The Woodlands' $479,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Prairie View
The median home value in Prairie View is $171,900 — 44% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $837/month, 36% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $19,106/year is 74% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 19.2%, above 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, Prairie View has a cost of living index of 59 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 41% less expensive.
Prairie View has limited residential data
Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
🌤 Climate
NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 63 | 68 | 74 | 80 | 87 | 92 | 94 | 95 | 91 | 82 | 72 | 65 |
| Low °F | 43 | 47 | 53 | 59 | 67 | 73 | 75 | 74 | 70 | 60 | 50 | 44 |
| Precip" | 3.53 | 2.70 | 3.36 | 3.83 | 4.94 | 5.37 | 3.73 | 4.87 | 5.19 | 5.58 | 3.98 | 3.74 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Prairie View, TX?
Prairie View has a cost index of 59 (100 = national average). It is 41% below the national average.
What is average rent in Prairie View, TX?
The median gross rent in Prairie View is $837 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Prairie View?
The median home value in Prairie View is $171,900 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Prairie View?
The median household income in Prairie View is $19,106 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Prairie View, TX?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Prairie View is 8.2%. Texas has no state income tax.
Is Prairie View, TX affordable?
Yes, Prairie View is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 59 — about 41% below the US national average of 100.
What is the weather like in Prairie View?
Prairie View 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.
Prairie View at a Glance
- Population
- 8,220
- Median Income
- $19,106
- Home Value
- $171,900
- Median Rent
- $837/mo
- Unemployment
- 19.2%
- Avg High Temp
- 80.1°F
- Sales Tax
- 8.2%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Texas Rankings
Similar Cost Cities
Cities in other states with comparable housing costs