Houston Money Calculators
18 free calculators built on Houston's own tax, housing and insurance rules — each with the reasoning explained.
Houston at a glance
| State and local income tax | None |
|---|---|
| Take-home on $100,000 (single, no deductions) | $79,180 |
| Property tax | A Houston home in Houston ISD is taxed by several units — the school district, City of Houston, Harris County, Harris Health, the Flood Control District, the Port of Houston and the Department of Education — for a combined rate of about $2.03 per $100 of value in 2025 before exemptions. |
| Government closing taxes on a $500,000 purchase (buyer + seller) | None (no transfer tax) |
| Transit | Houston METRO: about $53 a month |
| Auto insurance minimum | Liability 30/60/25 ($30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident bodily injury; $25,000 property damage). PIP must be offered and rejected in writing. |
Income taxes in Houston
Texas has no personal income tax, so a Houston paycheck is reduced only by federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare. The state funds government mainly through sales tax and local property taxes, which are among the highest in the country.
There are no Texas state payroll deductions for workers, so what you see on a Houston pay stub beyond federal taxes is benefits and retirement contributions.
Housing: renting and buying
Houston has no traditional zoning code, which has helped keep housing supply high and prices lower than most big cities. Popular areas include the Heights, Montrose, Midtown, Meyerland, Katy and Pearland, and flood history varies block by block.
A Houston home in Houston ISD is taxed by several units — the school district, City of Houston, Harris County, Harris Health, the Flood Control District, the Port of Houston and the Department of Education — for a combined rate of about $2.03 per $100 of value in 2025 before exemptions. The school homestead exemption rose to $140,000 after voters approved it in November 2025.
Closing costs and transfer taxes
Texas has no real estate transfer tax, so Houston closing costs are mostly lender fees, title insurance (whose premiums are set by the Texas Department of Insurance) and escrow. That makes the government share of closing costs among the lowest of the 11 cities.
Getting around
Houston METRO runs buses and METRORail with a $1.25 local fare, but most commuters drive. Toll roads such as the Sam Houston Tollway and Westpark Tollway use EZ TAG, and long distances make gas and car wear a big share of the budget.
Insurance and everyday costs
Texas requires 30/60/25 liability coverage. Houston premiums run high because of heavy traffic, frequent flooding that totals cars, and a large share of uninsured drivers, which makes uninsured motorist coverage worth considering.
Childcare in Houston costs far less than in coastal cities, but it is still one of the largest family expenses. The Texas Workforce Commission funds child care assistance through Workforce Solutions for eligible families, and Texas offers free public pre-K for qualifying four-year-olds.
Lower rent and no state income tax help Houston budgets, while higher property tax, car costs and air-conditioning bills take some of that back.
How to use the Houston calculators
Every tool below uses Houston's own rules — the Texas tax engine for paychecks, the Harris Central Appraisal District's method for property tax, and local transfer taxes for closing costs. Start with the paycheck calculator to see real take-home pay, then use the housing tools to test rents or home prices against it. Each result comes with a Reasoning box that explains which rule mattered most.
Income & Taxes
Housing & Real Estate
Insurance & Everyday Costs
Houston Special Tools
Frequently asked questions
Does Houston have a city income tax?
No. Houston does not levy a personal income tax; see the paycheck calculator for state taxes.
How much is take-home pay on $100,000 in Houston?
About $79,180 a year for a single filer with no pre-tax deductions, based on 2026 rules.
Where do the Houston numbers come from?
Tax rates and rules come from official sources such as the IRS, the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts and the Harris Central Appraisal District. Cost estimates such as typical rent are Rate and Reason starting points that you can replace with your own numbers.