Quick answer
Houston is 42% cheaper than Seattle overall. A $100K salary in Seattle is equivalent to $58,000 in Houston.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Seattle 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 42% cheaper
1BR rent difference
-39% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$58,000
Seattle vs Houston: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$2,100/mo
$1,280/mo
-39%
2BR median rent
$2,750/mo
$1,620/mo
-41%
Median home price
$780K
$305K
-61%
Avg monthly groceries
$430
$350
-19%
Avg monthly utilities
$130
$190
+46%
State income tax
None
None
—
Walk score
74/100
48/100
Seattle better
Transit score
59/100
36/100
Seattle better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Houston to maintain the same standard of living as your current Seattle salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$35,000
$104,000
$80,000
$46,000
$138,000
$100,000
$58,000
$173,000
$120,000
$69,000
$208,000
$150,000
$87,000
$260,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Seattle vs Houston
Who Each City Is Best For
Seattle is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓high earners
- ✓coffee aficionados
Houston is best for
- ✓energy sector workers
- ✓healthcare professionals
- ✓remote workers
- ✓families on a budget
FAQs
Is Seattle or Houston cheaper to live in?
Houston is 42% cheaper than Seattle overall. Houston 1BR rent ($1,280/mo) vs Seattle ($2,100/mo). Median home price: Houston $305K vs Seattle $780K.
How much salary do I need in Houston to match $100K in Seattle?
$58,000 in Houston is equivalent to $100,000 in Seattle based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (-39% difference) and state taxes (Seattle: None vs Houston: None).
What is the rent difference between Seattle and Houston?
1BR: Seattle $2,100/mo vs Houston $1,280/mo (-39%). 2BR: Seattle $2,750/mo vs Houston $1,620/mo (-41%).
Does Seattle or Houston have lower taxes?
Seattle (WA) has None state income tax. Houston (TX) has None state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$0.