Houston vs Austin
Cost of Living (2026)

Houston is 21% less expensive than Austin.

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

Austin, TX

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryHouston indexAustin indexDifference
Housing118 ✓144+26%
Groceries87 ✓104+17%
Transportation88 ✓105+17%
Healthcare88 ✓107+19%
Utilities89 ✓104+15%

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

Salary equivalency: Houston → Austin

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

Salary in HoustonEquivalent in AustinDifference
$60,000$73,000+$13,000
$80,000$97,000+$17,000
$100,000$121,000+$21,000
$130,000$157,000+$27,000
$150,000$181,000+$31,000
$200,000$242,000+$42,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Houston, TX and Austin, TX, Houston comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 91 versus 110 for Austin — a difference of approximately 21%.

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

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