Houston vs Irving
Cost of Living (2026)

Houston is 7% less expensive than Irving.

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

Irving, TX

COL index97
State income taxNone
Avg 1BR rent$1,350/mo
Median home price$360K

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryHouston indexIrving indexDifference
Housing118 ✓126+8%
Groceries87 ✓92+5%
Transportation88 ✓93+5%
Healthcare88 ✓94+6%
Utilities89 ✓94+5%

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

Salary equivalency: Houston → Irving

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

Salary in HoustonEquivalent in IrvingDifference
$60,000$64,000+$4,000
$80,000$85,000+$5,000
$100,000$107,000+$7,000
$130,000$139,000+$9,000
$150,000$160,000+$10,000
$200,000$213,000+$13,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Houston, TX and Irving, TX, Houston comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 91 versus 97 for Irving — a difference of approximately 7%.

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 $360,000 in Irving. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,250/month in Houston versus $1,350/month in Irving.

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