Houston vs Atlanta
Cost of Living (2026)

Houston is 9% less expensive than Atlanta. Plus, Texas has no state income tax vs Georgia's 5.75%.

Enter your salary → get exact comparison

At a glance

Houston, TX

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

Atlanta, GA

COL index99
State income tax5.75%
Avg 1BR rent$1,550/mo
Median home price$390K

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryHouston indexAtlanta indexDifference
Housing118 ✓129+11%
Groceries87 ✓94+7%
Transportation88 ✓95+7%
Healthcare88 ✓96+8%
Utilities89 ✓95+6%

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

Salary equivalency: Houston → Atlanta

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

Salary in HoustonEquivalent in AtlantaDifference
$60,000$71,000+$11,000
$80,000$95,000+$15,000
$100,000$118,000+$18,000
$130,000$154,000+$24,000
$150,000$178,000+$28,000
$200,000$237,000+$37,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Houston, TX and Atlanta, GA, Houston comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 91 versus 99 for Atlanta — a difference of approximately 9%.

State income tax impact

Texas has no state income tax, giving Houston workers an immediate 5.75% take-home pay advantage over Atlanta workers who pay Georgia's 5.75% state income tax.

Housing costs

The median home price in Houston is $290,000, compared to $390,000 in Atlanta. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,250/month in Houston versus $1,550/month in Atlanta.

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