Groves, TX vs South Houston, TX: Cost of Living

Which city costs less?

South Houston, TX has a modeled overall cost index 4.9% higher than Groves, TX.

Groves, TX · modeled 2BR rent
$1,270 / month
South Houston, TX · modeled 2BR rent
$1,380 / month

These are saved estimates, not current rental listings. Some cities use adjusted regional data. Your household budget can differ from the overall index. Sources and assumptions

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Compare Groves, TX and South Houston, TX using saved regional data and explicit budgeting assumptions. Rent estimates are not live listings. Change the salary below, then check the source notes before applying a result to your household.

Saved regional estimates · Sources and assumptions

$
Numbers update automatically as you type

Estimated extra cost: $314/month in South Houston, TX

$150,000 in your current city has a modeled equivalent of $153,768 in South Houston, TX

Regional cost estimates: Groves, TX uses Houston, TX. South Houston, TX uses Houston, TX. Available city ZIP rent estimates are shown separately.
Overall Cost
↑ 4.9%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$314
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$3.8K
Per year

Assumes 60% of current gross income goes to living costs. The headline uses the category budget below; taxes, moving costs and savings goals are excluded.

Groves, TX

Population:17K
Cost Index:
82.0
100 = national average
Typical Home:$174K

South Houston, TX

Population:16K
Cost Index:
86.1
100 = national average
Typical Home:$189K

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Groves, TX

The Lone Star State

17K
Population
State Tax
No Income Tax

Located in Texas, this city has a population of 17K residents.

💡 Advantage: Texas has no state income tax!

South Houston, TX

The Lone Star State

16K
Population
State Tax
No Income Tax

Located in Texas, this city has a population of 16K residents.

💡 Advantage: Texas has no state income tax!

Cost Breakdown by Category

Estimated monthly spending: Groves, TX vs South Houston, TX

Assumes 60% of your current gross income is spent on these categories. The headline and totals use this same budget. Rent estimates below are separate reference data. Rounded amounts may differ by $1.

Housing
↑ 4.9%
Groves, TX
$2,002
South Houston, TX
$2,101
Difference
$98.66
more
Other
↑ 4.9%
Groves, TX
$1,795
South Houston, TX
$1,884
Difference
$88.46
more
Transportation
↑ 4.9%
Groves, TX
$1,472
South Houston, TX
$1,544
Difference
$72.52
more
Groceries
↑ 2.4%
Groves, TX
$1,004
South Houston, TX
$1,028
Difference
$24.44
more
Healthcare
↑ 2.4%
Groves, TX
$619
South Houston, TX
$634
Difference
$15.07
more
All Utilities
↑ 2.4%
Groves, TX
$608
South Houston, TX
$623
Difference
$14.81
more

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio
From$1,030
To$1,120
↑ $90.00
1 Bed
From$1,030
To$1,160
↑ $130
2 Bed
From$1,270
To$1,380
↑ $110
3 Bed
From$1,660
To$1,860
↑ $200
Groves, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,030–$1,030/mo

South Houston, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,160–$1,160/mo

💡 Note: HUD Fair Market Rents estimate 40th-percentile gross rents, including most tenant-paid utilities. City ZIP summaries are medians of those estimates, not market median rents. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,500
Monthly in Groves, TX
$7,814
Monthly in South Houston, TX
$314
Difference

Home Values

Groves
South Houston
$174K
Median Value
$189K
↑ +7.2%
YoY Change
↓ -4.2%
↑ +16.2%
5-Year Change
↑ +23%

Homes in South Houston are 8% more expensive than Groves

Calculate payment - GrovesCalculate payment - South Houston

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
→ $0
Same taxes
Monthly Difference
$0
Same take-home
Effective Rate Diff
0.0%
Rate difference

Groves, TX

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Texas State Tax
No state income tax
$0
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 24.7%
$37.0K
Take-Home Pay
$9,416/month
$113.0K

South Houston, TX

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Texas State Tax
No state income tax
$0
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 24.7%
$37.0K
Take-Home Pay
$9,416/month
$113.0K

Additional Tax Information

Groves, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%
Property Tax:1.8%

South Houston, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%
Property Tax:1.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

Groves
South Houston
61 Moderate
Air Quality
61 Moderate
13.7%
Good Air Days
13.7%
100 Very High
Climate Risk
100 Very High
🌊🌅🌀
Top Hazards
🌊🌅🌀
▲+2.2°F
2050 Outlook
▲+2.2°F
64 days
Heat Days >95°F
64 days
▲+2.2°F
2050 Outlook
▲+2.2°F
64 days
Heat Days >95°F
64 days

Before moving from Groves, TX to South Houston, TX

Use this comparison to shortlist a move, then check the costs that depend on your household.

  1. Compare actual homes. Get current quotes in South Houston, TX for the same bedroom count and included utilities as your home in Groves, TX. Add parking, deposits, insurance and any overlapping leases. The rent estimates above are a starting point, not available listings.
  2. Confirm your income. Check your expected pay with your employer, including any location adjustment. Use “Different salary at destination?” above to compare two incomes. The budget model excludes taxes and one-time moving costs; it is not a take-home-pay calculation.
  3. Price your daily routine. Check the commute from a specific address to work, school or childcare. Add household expenses missing from this model, such as childcare, debt payments and medical needs. Verify local services before signing a lease.
  4. Plan the transition. Get moving quotes and budget for travel, setup costs and time off. Open your Groves to South Houston moving checklist to organize the tasks and timing.

Still choosing a destination? Explore cities similar to South Houston, TX by cost, housing, population and region.

Frequently Asked Questions: Groves, TX vs South Houston, TX

How do the cost estimates for Groves, TX and South Houston, TX compare?

South Houston, TX has a modeled overall cost index 4.9% higher than Groves, TX. This is a broad model comparison, not a survey of today's prices or a forecast of your household spending. Some cities use adjusted regional fallback data.

What does the equivalent salary mean?

At a $150,000 salary in Groves, TX, the model estimates $153,768 in South Houston, TX. It allocates 60% of gross income to the origin city’s category budget and applies each destination category’s relative cost. The equivalent salary adds the total category difference to your income. The monthly difference is the same category difference divided by 12; it is not take-home pay or guaranteed savings. Household size, childcare and your actual lease are not inputs to this calculation.

What rent estimates are available for Groves, TX and South Houston, TX?

The modeled two-bedroom rents are $1,270/month in Groves, TX and $1,380/month in South Houston, TX. Where available, the source is a city median of HUD FY2026 ZIP-level estimates; otherwise a saved metro table is used. City adjustments may also apply. These are not asking rents or available listings. Compare actual properties with the same bedroom count and included utilities.

How should I use this comparison before moving?

Use it to shortlist locations, then replace modeled costs with a current housing quote, employer-confirmed income, commute costs, insurance and your household's other expenses. Add one-time moving costs separately. Source years differ and the saved datasets are not a live price feed. Read the methodology for the formulas and fallback rules.

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