Cost of Living in Clear Lake Shores, TX

With a cost of living index of 129, Clear Lake Shores, TX is a notably expensive place to live. Living here is 29% more expensive than the national average and 42% above the Texas state average of 88. Clear Lake Shores is a small community of 1,182 residents.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Clear Lake Shores's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,896 (44% above the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $448,500 (47% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 4x the median household income — a moderately affordable ratio by today's standards.

The median household income in Clear Lake Shores is $111,563, which is 48% higher than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 20% of household income on rent. This is a comfortable ratio, well below the 30% threshold that financial experts recommend as a maximum. While incomes are above average, they more than offset the higher cost of living.

Everyday prices in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX (Metropolitan Statistical Area) metro area tend to run above the national average. Out of 6 common grocery and utility items tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 5 are priced higher than the US average. These real-world prices — from groceries to electricity — add up and should be factored into any cost of living comparison.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.