Seattle vs Houston
Cost of Living (2026)

Houston is 39% more affordable than Seattle.

Enter your salary → get exact comparison

At a glance

Seattle, WA

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

Houston, TX

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategorySeattle indexHouston indexDifference
Housing198118 ✓-80%
Groceries14187 ✓-54%
Transportation14088 ✓-52%
Healthcare14588 ✓-57%
Utilities13589 ✓-46%

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

Salary equivalency: Seattle → Houston

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

Salary in SeattleEquivalent in HoustonDifference
$60,000$36,000$-24,000
$80,000$49,000$-31,000
$100,000$61,000$-39,000
$130,000$79,000$-51,000
$150,000$91,000$-59,000
$200,000$121,000$-79,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Seattle, WA and Houston, TX, Houston comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 91 versus 150 for Seattle — a difference of approximately 39%.

State income tax impact

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

Housing costs

The median home price in Seattle is $780,000, compared to $290,000 in Houston. Average 1-bedroom rent is $2,200/month in Seattle versus $1,250/month in Houston.

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