Quick answer
Houston is 26% cheaper than Austin overall. A $100K salary in Austin is equivalent to $74,000 in Houston.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Austin vs Houston Cost of Living (2026)
Side-by-side cost comparison plus a salary calculator to find your equivalent pay in either city.
Overall COL difference
Houston is 26% cheaper
1BR rent difference
-22% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$74,000
Austin vs Houston: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$1,650/mo
$1,280/mo
-22%
2BR median rent
$2,100/mo
$1,620/mo
-23%
Median home price
$548K
$305K
-44%
Avg monthly groceries
$380
$350
-8%
Avg monthly utilities
$175
$190
+9%
State income tax
None
None
—
Walk score
41/100
48/100
Houston better
Transit score
34/100
36/100
Houston better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Houston to maintain the same standard of living as your current Austin salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$45,000
$81,000
$80,000
$59,000
$108,000
$100,000
$74,000
$135,000
$120,000
$89,000
$161,000
$150,000
$111,000
$202,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Austin vs Houston
Who Each City Is Best For
Austin is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓young professionals
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓musicians
Houston is best for
- ✓energy sector workers
- ✓healthcare professionals
- ✓remote workers
- ✓families on a budget
FAQs
Is Austin or Houston cheaper to live in?
Houston is 26% cheaper than Austin overall. Houston 1BR rent ($1,280/mo) vs Austin ($1,650/mo). Median home price: Houston $305K vs Austin $548K.
How much salary do I need in Houston to match $100K in Austin?
$74,000 in Houston is equivalent to $100,000 in Austin based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (-22% difference) and state taxes (Austin: None vs Houston: None).
What is the rent difference between Austin and Houston?
1BR: Austin $1,650/mo vs Houston $1,280/mo (-22%). 2BR: Austin $2,100/mo vs Houston $1,620/mo (-23%).
Does Austin or Houston have lower taxes?
Austin (TX) has None state income tax. Houston (TX) has None state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$0.