Quick answer
Houston is 26% cheaper than Tampa overall. A $100K salary in Houston is equivalent to $126,000 in Tampa.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Houston vs Tampa 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
+31% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$126,000
Houston vs Tampa: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$1,280/mo
$1,680/mo
+31%
2BR median rent
$1,620/mo
$2,100/mo
+30%
Median home price
$305K
$390K
+28%
Avg monthly groceries
$350
$345
-1%
Avg monthly utilities
$190
$175
-8%
State income tax
None
None
—
Walk score
48/100
52/100
Tampa better
Transit score
36/100
34/100
Houston better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Tampa to maintain the same standard of living as your current Houston salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$76,000
$47,000
$80,000
$101,000
$63,000
$100,000
$126,000
$79,000
$120,000
$152,000
$95,000
$150,000
$190,000
$119,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Houston vs Tampa
Who Each City Is Best For
Houston is best for
- ✓energy sector workers
- ✓healthcare professionals
- ✓remote workers
- ✓families on a budget
Tampa is best for
- ✓healthcare workers
- ✓remote workers
- ✓beach lifestyle seekers
- ✓retirees
FAQs
Is Houston or Tampa cheaper to live in?
Houston is 26% cheaper than Tampa overall. Houston 1BR rent ($1,280/mo) vs Tampa ($1,680/mo). Median home price: Houston $305K vs Tampa $390K.
How much salary do I need in Tampa to match $100K in Houston?
$126,000 in Tampa is equivalent to $100,000 in Houston based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (+31% difference) and state taxes (Houston: None vs Tampa: None).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Tampa?
1BR: Houston $1,280/mo vs Tampa $1,680/mo (+31%). 2BR: Houston $1,620/mo vs Tampa $2,100/mo (+30%).
Does Houston or Tampa have lower taxes?
Houston (TX) has None state income tax. Tampa (FL) has None state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$0.