Houston vs Seattle
Cost of Living (2026)

Houston is 65% less expensive than Seattle.

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

Seattle, WA

COL index150
State income taxNone
Avg 1BR rent$2,200/mo
Median home price$780K

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryHouston indexSeattle indexDifference
Housing118 ✓198+80%
Groceries87 ✓141+54%
Transportation88 ✓140+52%
Healthcare88 ✓145+57%
Utilities89 ✓135+46%

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

Salary equivalency: Houston → Seattle

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

Salary in HoustonEquivalent in SeattleDifference
$60,000$99,000+$39,000
$80,000$132,000+$52,000
$100,000$165,000+$65,000
$130,000$214,000+$84,000
$150,000$247,000+$97,000
$200,000$330,000+$130,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Houston, TX and Seattle, WA, Houston comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 91 versus 150 for Seattle — a difference of approximately 65%.

State income tax impact

Both Texas and Washington 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 $780,000 in Seattle. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,250/month in Houston versus $2,200/month in Seattle.

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