This Texas City Is One Of America's Most Overpriced For An Unexpected Reason

When people think of overpriced cities in the United States, places like New York or Los Angeles usually come to mind. Cities like Houston are considered a happy middle to the more expensive metros, a place where the cost of living is manageable. But a new study from Highland Cabinetry says otherwise. The study analyzed cost of living along with other factors like income, traffic, pollution, and unemployment and found that Houston is the eighth-most-overpriced city in the country.

On paper, Houston has a significantly lower cost of living index than San Francisco, Miami, and many of the other cities it ranked with. It is the cheapest of the major cities in Texas and even benefits from the state's growing economy and economic advantages. But dig deeper and it becomes a bit more complicated. According to the study, a combination of factors including traffic and long commute times undermines the city's overall affordability.

Transportation isn't just an annoyance, it can be a major personal finance hurdle, with more and more consumers paying over $1,000 a month on their car payment. But besides car payements, there are other expenses like car insurance, gas, and tolls to name a few. Houston in particular is notorious for its transportation costs, with a recent study ranking it as the third most expensive city in the U.S. for commuters. According to the study, Houston residents spend an average of $4,864 annually on their commute thanks to a combination of gas prices, repair costs, and rising toll fares.

On average Houstonians spend 59 minutes per day commuting to and from work, some of the longest times in the country, and the impact is more than just financial. According to the University of Southern California's Keck School of Medicine, long commutes increase stress, obesity, and poor sleep, which can lead to increased medical costs as well. In other words, long drives aren't just hard on your wallet, they can also chip away at your health.

While Houston's car-centric culture makes driving nearly unavoidable, there are ways to cut back costs. For starters, carpooling with friends or coworkers can reduce the amount you spend on gas and the frequency of expensive car maintenance. Public transportation is the best way to save on transportation, but unless you live and work in downtown Houston, it is not a solid option. Electric vehicles can be another option to save on transportation, given that you qualify for the tax credits and can charge at home.

For the folks looking to mitigate the health risks associated with long commutes, biking to work or for short errands can be a practical and healthier alternative. At the end of the day, affordability in Houston, like in many cities, is more than just housing or the price of groceries, health and lifestyle choices can also impact personal finances. But for residents seriously looking to reduce their living costs, and whoh enjoy the perk of remote work, relocating to one of Texas' affordable hidden gems like Bandera can be worthwhile.