Convenience Big Store: Houston workers are heading back to the office at one of the highest rates in the country

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J.R. Gonzales
Senior Digital Production Editor
john.gonzales@chron.com

Come for the low cost of living, stay for the food.

Texas: It's an inexpensive place to live (for the most part).

The cost of living here remains low compared to the rest of the nation, according to recently released data by the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Economic Analysis. Hawaii and California had the highest cost of living in the U.S., while Mississippi occupied the other end of the scale.

So how does Houston compare to the other major Texas cities when it comes to the cost of living? Ryan Serpico has those details. Check it out and see how we compare to Dallas.

Skies will be partly sunny today with highs in the low 70s.

Today's top story

Photo: Melissa Phillip, Staff Photographer

Houston workers are returning to the office at one of the highest rates in the country.

Behind only Austin and ahead of metro areas including Dallas, Chicago and New York, Houston-area workplaces saw office occupancy rates increase to nearly 60 percent in December 2022.

Five other stories to read today

Two councilmembers announce runs for Houston controller.

Dave Martin and Michael Kubosh confirmed to the Chronicle that they are running for city controller in the November elections.

Tomlinson: Texans helped Norway find oil; now they pay it forward.

Oil and natural gas inextricably link Texas and Norway, and the relationship proves how international cooperation, free trade and innovation sharing can enrich everyone involved, writes Chris Tomlinson.

Fentanyl isn't a talking point. It's life or death. [Editorial]

Its grew under Obama and worsened under Trump. Now, fentanyl is our monster to slay. Here's how, writes the Editorial Board.

How TCU went from a Cinderella to a contender in the CFB title race.

The path to the national title game against Georgia was forged with road wins at West Virginia, Texas and Baylor.

Twin sisters' weight loss journey has one ready for a half marathon.

After bariatric surgery with gastric sleeve, they are getting fit, with one set to run the Houston Aramco Half Marathon

One last thing ...

NASA astronaut Walt Cunningham never made it to the moon. History, though, records that he played a crucial role in getting his fellow astronauts there by the end of the 1960s.

Cunningham went up with Apollo 7, the first crewed mission of that program, in 1968.

The former Marine Corps fighter pilot died here early Tuesday. He was 90.

Before we go, how was your holiday? Things go well? My week off was fine. One highlight: I baked a cheesecake that turned out pretty well, actually.

– J.R.