City comparison
Atlanta vs Houston Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Atlanta (110.5) and Houston (105.8).
Atlanta Index
110.5
Houston Index
105.8
Atlanta Rent
$2,375
Houston Rent
$2,175
Atlanta Home price
$410,000
Houston Home price
$390,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Atlanta to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Houston.
Equivalent salary in Houston
$84,257
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Atlanta and Houston.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Atlanta | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 129 | 118 | -11.0 (-8.5%) |
| Groceries | 101 | 97 | -4.0 (-4.0%) |
| Transportation | 103 | 104 | +1.0 (+1.0%) |
| Healthcare | 97 | 96 | -1.0 (-1.0%) |
| Utilities | 100 | 101 | +1.0 (+1.0%) |
| Miscellaneous | 102 | 99 | -3.0 (-2.9%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$4,990 / $4,740
Atlanta / Houston
Couple
$8,280 / $7,870
Atlanta / Houston
Family
$11,680 / $11,090
Atlanta / Houston
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Atlanta city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Atlanta.
View Houston city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Houston.
Last updated: Q1 2026
Data as of Q1 2026. Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, HUD Fair Market Rents.
Cost of living indexes use the national average as baseline (100). Data is updated periodically.