City comparison
Austin vs Houston Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Austin (116.9) and Houston (105.8).
Austin Index
116.9
Houston Index
105.8
Austin Rent
$2,675
Houston Rent
$2,175
Austin Home price
$484,000
Houston Home price
$390,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Austin to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Houston.
Equivalent salary in Houston
$85,074
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Austin and Houston.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Austin | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 146 | 118 | -28.0 (-19.2%) |
| Groceries | 103 | 97 | -6.0 (-5.8%) |
| Transportation | 102 | 104 | +2.0 (+2.0%) |
| Healthcare | 99 | 96 | -3.0 (-3.0%) |
| Utilities | 98 | 101 | +3.0 (+3.1%) |
| Miscellaneous | 104 | 99 | -5.0 (-4.8%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$5,310 / $4,740
Austin / Houston
Couple
$8,810 / $7,870
Austin / Houston
Family
$12,430 / $11,090
Austin / Houston
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Austin city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Austin.
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.