Irving vs Houston
Cost of Living (2026)

Houston is 6% more affordable than Irving.

Enter your salary → get exact comparison

At a glance

Irving, TX

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

Houston, TX

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryIrving indexHouston indexDifference
Housing126118 ✓-8%
Groceries9287 ✓-5%
Transportation9388 ✓-5%
Healthcare9488 ✓-6%
Utilities9489 ✓-5%

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

Salary equivalency: Irving → Houston

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

Salary in IrvingEquivalent in HoustonDifference
$60,000$56,000$-4,000
$80,000$75,000$-5,000
$100,000$94,000$-6,000
$130,000$122,000$-8,000
$150,000$141,000$-9,000
$200,000$188,000$-12,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Irving, TX and Houston, TX, Houston comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 91 versus 97 for Irving — a difference of approximately 6%.

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 Irving is $360,000, compared to $290,000 in Houston. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,350/month in Irving versus $1,250/month in Houston.

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