Quick answer
Houston is 35% cheaper than Austin overall. A $100K salary in Houston is equivalent to $135,000 in Austin.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Houston vs Austin Cost of Living (2026)
Side-by-side cost comparison plus a salary calculator to find your equivalent pay in either city.
Overall COL difference
Houston is 35% cheaper
1BR rent difference
+29% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$135,000
Houston vs Austin: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$1,280/mo
$1,650/mo
+29%
2BR median rent
$1,620/mo
$2,100/mo
+30%
Median home price
$305K
$548K
+80%
Avg monthly groceries
$350
$380
+9%
Avg monthly utilities
$190
$175
-8%
State income tax
None
None
—
Walk score
48/100
41/100
Houston better
Transit score
36/100
34/100
Houston better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Austin to maintain the same standard of living as your current Houston salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$81,000
$45,000
$80,000
$108,000
$59,000
$100,000
$135,000
$74,000
$120,000
$161,000
$89,000
$150,000
$202,000
$111,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Houston vs Austin
Who Each City Is Best For
Houston is best for
- ✓energy sector workers
- ✓healthcare professionals
- ✓remote workers
- ✓families on a budget
Austin is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓young professionals
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓musicians
FAQs
Is Houston or Austin cheaper to live in?
Houston is 35% cheaper than Austin overall. Houston 1BR rent ($1,280/mo) vs Austin ($1,650/mo). Median home price: Houston $305K vs Austin $548K.
How much salary do I need in Austin to match $100K in Houston?
$135,000 in Austin is equivalent to $100,000 in Houston based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (+29% difference) and state taxes (Houston: None vs Austin: None).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Austin?
1BR: Houston $1,280/mo vs Austin $1,650/mo (+29%). 2BR: Houston $1,620/mo vs Austin $2,100/mo (+30%).
Does Houston or Austin have lower taxes?
Houston (TX) has None state income tax. Austin (TX) has None state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$0.