Salary Needed to Live in Houston as a Retiree

A retired individual (65+) needs approximately $19,646/year to live comfortably in Houston, TX — including 5% savings.

Comfortable Salary
$19,646
with 5% savings
Bare Minimum
$18,336
no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$1,146
6% below national avg

Detailed Monthly Budget for a Retiree in Houston

ExpenseHoustonNat'l AvgDiff
🏠 1-2BR Senior-Friendly Rent$126$121+4%
🛒 Groceries$15$16-6%
⚡ Utilities$15$150%
🚗 Transportation$16$18-11%
🛡️ Car Insurance$179$223-20%
🏥 Health Insurance$56$560%
Medicare Supplement$192$200-4%
Prescription Drugs$144$150-4%
Internet + Phone$115$120-4%
Recreation & Social$192$200-4%
Home Maintenance$96$100-4%
Total Monthly$1,146$1,219-6%

How We Calculated the Salary

Monthly expenses:$1,146
Target savings (5%):$65/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$1,211
Effective tax rate:25%

Gross annual salary needed:$19,646

Other Household Types in Houston

Single Person
$18,942/yr
$1,026/mo expenses
Couple (No Kids)
$26,305/yr
$1,381/mo expenses
Family with Kids
$56,020/yr
$2,801/mo expenses

Related Pages

Living Alone in HoustonCity OverviewAfford on $75K?Afford on $100K?Cost of Living

FAQ

What salary does a retiree need in Houston?
A retiree needs approximately $19,646/year ($1,637/month gross) to live comfortably in Houston with a 5% savings rate.
How much is rent for a retiree in Houston?
A 1-2br senior-friendly in Houston costs approximately $126/month, which is the largest single expense at 11% of the total budget.
Is Houston affordable for a retiree?
Yes, Houston is 6% more affordable than the national average for a retiree.
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