Houston wins overall by ~28% (COL index)
Cost of living: Austin vs Houston (2026)
A $64,000 salary in Austin buys roughly what $49,836 does in Houston (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
−$8,031/yr
Favoring Houston for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $669/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~23 months and still keep ~$80/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Austin Texas | Houston Texas | Who wins | Your impact at $64K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,500 | $1,050Wins | Houston wins −$450/mo | $5,400/yr saves in Houston |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,800 | $1,350Wins | Houston wins −$450/mo | $5,400/yr saves in Houston |
| 2BR rent/mo | $2,400 | $1,700Wins | Houston wins −$700/mo | $8,400/yr saves in Houston |
| Median home price | $480K | $280KWins | Houston wins −$200K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 98 | 94Better | Houston wins -4 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $14 | $12Wins | Houston wins −$2/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $60 | $50Wins | Houston wins −$10/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $50Wins | $90 | Austin wins +$40/mo | $480/yr saves in Austin |
| Gas price/gal | $3.10Better | $3.10 | — | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $175Better | $190 | Austin wins +$15/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $170Better | $175 | Austin wins +$5/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $65Better | $65 | — | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $72KWins | $56K | Austin wins −$16K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 0.0%Better | 0.0% | — | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 8.3%Better | 8.3% | — | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $15.00Better | $15.00 | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $40 | $35Wins | Houston wins −$5/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $7.00 | $6.00Wins | Houston wins −$1.00 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 122 | 95Wins | Houston wins -27 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 42 | 49Wins | Houston wins +7 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
Houston fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Houston.
High-yield savings
Park ~$5,400/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
Ready to move?
Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Both Texas cities mean zero state income tax, but they're surprisingly different to live in. Austin skews younger, techier, and more expensive on rent. Houston is America's most affordable major metro relative to median income — and the energy sector keeps salaries competitive across industries.
Frequently asked questions
Is Austin cheaper than Houston?
No. Houston is 28% cheaper than Austin based on overall cost of living indices (95 vs 122, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Austin vs Houston?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Austin is $1,800/month and in Houston is $1,350/month. Austin is more expensive by 33%.
How much do I need to earn in Houston to match a $75,000 salary in Austin?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $58,402/year in Houston to match a $75,000 salary in Austin. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Austin or Houston?
Houston has the lower state income tax rate at 0% vs 0%. Houston has no state income tax at all, which can save thousands of dollars per year depending on your income. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Austin to Houston?
It depends on your priorities. Houston offers lower overall costs and tax advantages, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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Salary equivalent: Austin ↔ Houston
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