Austin vs Houston
Cost of Living (2026)

Houston is 17% more affordable than Austin.

Enter your salary → get exact comparison

At a glance

Austin, TX

COL index110
State income taxNone
Avg 1BR rent$1,650/mo
Median home price$520K
VS

Houston, TX

COL index91 ✓
State income taxNone
Avg 1BR rent$1,250/mo ✓
Median home price$290K ✓

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryAustin indexHouston indexDifference
Housing144118 ✓-26%
Groceries10487 ✓-17%
Transportation10588 ✓-17%
Healthcare10788 ✓-19%
Utilities10489 ✓-15%

Source: C2ER Cost of Living Index 2026. Index = 100 is US average. ✓ indicates lower cost.

Salary equivalency: Austin → Houston

What salary in Houston gives you the same purchasing power as your Austin salary?

Salary in AustinEquivalent in HoustonDifference
$60,000$50,000$-10,000
$80,000$66,000$-14,000
$100,000$83,000$-17,000
$130,000$108,000$-22,000
$150,000$124,000$-26,000
$200,000$165,000$-35,000

Austin vs Houston: Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)

When comparing the cost of living between Austin, TX and Houston, TX, Houston comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 91 versus 110 for Austin — a difference of approximately 17%.

State income tax impact

Both Texas and Texas have no state income tax, so that factor is neutral in this comparison.

Housing costs

The median home price in Austin is $520,000, compared to $290,000 in Houston. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,650/month in Austin versus $1,250/month in Houston.

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