Cost of Living in Watauga, TX

Population 23,336 · Texas · Data vintage 2023

102
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Watauga sits on the smaller end of the Texas city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible.

Watauga sits roughly 8 miles northeast of Fort Worth — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 16% lower than Fort Worth's $277,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 77
Rent 139

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

About the Cost of Living in Watauga

The median home value in Watauga is $233,400 — 23% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,826/month, 39% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $91,669/year is 23% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.6%, 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 78.2°F and lows of 56.7°F. Overall, Watauga has a cost of living index of 102 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 2% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$233,400
23% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$273,079
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,826/mo
39% above avg
Zillow Rent
$2,073/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
10.7x
Favors buying
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 80.4%
Renter-occupied 19.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,826
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,440/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
31.8 min
18% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
12.0%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
73.0%
Carpooled
13.0%
Public transit
0.5%
Walked
0.7%
Bicycle
0.2%
Work from home
12.0%

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
$91,669
23% above avg
Per Capita Income
$33,940
Unemployment Rate
4.6%
4% below avg
Poverty Rate
10.1%
Labor Force Participation
70.6%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 19.9%
Graduate degree 6.0%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 36.6
Male median age 34.7
Female median age 39.6

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
78.2°F
Avg Low
56.7°F
30° 48° 65° 83° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 596471788693979789806859
Low °F 374049566372767668584739

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 57 — Moderate
27.1%
Good air days/yr
172
Max AQI recorded
239
PM2.5 days
122
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Watauga, TX?

Watauga has a cost index of 102 (100 = national average). It is 2% above the national average.

What is average rent in Watauga, TX?

The median gross rent in Watauga is $1,826 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Watauga?

The median home value in Watauga is $233,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Watauga?

The median household income in Watauga is $91,669 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Watauga, TX?

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

Is Watauga, TX affordable?

Watauga is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 102 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Watauga?

Watauga has average high temperatures of 78.2°F and average lows of 56.7°F. Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Watauga at a Glance

Population
23,336
Median Income
$91,669
Home Value
$233,400
Median Rent
$1,826/mo
Unemployment
4.6%
Avg High Temp
78.2°F
Sales Tax
8.2%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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