Miami vs Houston
Cost of Living (2026)

Houston is 26% more affordable than Miami.

Enter your salary → get exact comparison

At a glance

Miami, FL

COL index123
State income taxNone
Avg 1BR rent$2,300/mo
Median home price$600K
VS

Houston, TX

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryMiami indexHouston indexDifference
Housing161118 ✓-43%
Groceries11687 ✓-29%
Transportation11688 ✓-28%
Healthcare11988 ✓-31%
Utilities11489 ✓-25%

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

Salary equivalency: Miami → Houston

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

Salary in MiamiEquivalent in HoustonDifference
$60,000$44,000$-16,000
$80,000$59,000$-21,000
$100,000$74,000$-26,000
$130,000$96,000$-34,000
$150,000$111,000$-39,000
$200,000$148,000$-52,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Miami, FL and Houston, TX, Houston comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 91 versus 123 for Miami — a difference of approximately 26%.

State income tax impact

Both Florida and Texas have no state income tax, so that factor is neutral in this comparison.

Housing costs

The median home price in Miami is $600,000, compared to $290,000 in Houston. Average 1-bedroom rent is $2,300/month in Miami versus $1,250/month in Houston.

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