Quick answer
Houston is 73% cheaper than Seattle overall. A $100K salary in Houston is equivalent to $173,000 in Seattle.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Houston vs Seattle 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 73% cheaper
1BR rent difference
+64% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$173,000
Houston vs Seattle: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$1,280/mo
$2,100/mo
+64%
2BR median rent
$1,620/mo
$2,750/mo
+70%
Median home price
$305K
$780K
+156%
Avg monthly groceries
$350
$430
+23%
Avg monthly utilities
$190
$130
-32%
State income tax
None
None
—
Walk score
48/100
74/100
Seattle better
Transit score
36/100
59/100
Seattle better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Seattle to maintain the same standard of living as your current Houston salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$104,000
$35,000
$80,000
$138,000
$46,000
$100,000
$173,000
$58,000
$120,000
$208,000
$69,000
$150,000
$260,000
$87,000
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 Seattle
Who Each City Is Best For
Houston is best for
- ✓energy sector workers
- ✓healthcare professionals
- ✓remote workers
- ✓families on a budget
Seattle is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓high earners
- ✓coffee aficionados
FAQs
Is Houston or Seattle cheaper to live in?
Houston is 73% cheaper than Seattle overall. Houston 1BR rent ($1,280/mo) vs Seattle ($2,100/mo). Median home price: Houston $305K vs Seattle $780K.
How much salary do I need in Seattle to match $100K in Houston?
$173,000 in Seattle is equivalent to $100,000 in Houston based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (+64% difference) and state taxes (Houston: None vs Seattle: None).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Seattle?
1BR: Houston $1,280/mo vs Seattle $2,100/mo (+64%). 2BR: Houston $1,620/mo vs Seattle $2,750/mo (+70%).
Does Houston or Seattle have lower taxes?
Houston (TX) has None state income tax. Seattle (WA) has None state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$0.