I want to move to Houston. I've travelled through Texas many times, and I love the state and the people. I've been all over the US, and it is amazing to me that Texans love where they live and who they are. I want in...

...then I try to research what it will actually cost to live in the Houston area (Spring/The Woodlands/Katy) and I end up with heart palpitations. Can someone explain what is going on?

Take buying a house, for example. There are beautiful palaces for $300k. You don't find homes this beautiful anywhere else. I've looked. Anywhere else they are double the cost. Big brick homes with lots of windows, a decent sized yard for that price. I figured there has to be a catch. It turns out there looks to be a few.

Property taxes can be 2.5%-3% or higher. So that means $9k per year in property taxes. Ouch. But no state income tax. So that cancels out, and it makes Houston doable. Is that right?

Then I also hear horror stories right here in this sub of people getting zapped with $1000 per month electric bills. This doesn't factor in what home insurance goes for (with flood). I can't find those prices online. Maybe if I call an insurance company they can give me an estimate. What about gas and water? And then finally state sales tax is a bit pricey.

People are moving to Texas despite this, so I could be wrong. Are my numbers off? tldr; What is the true cost of home ownership in the Houston area?