City comparison
Houston vs Austin Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Houston (105.8) and Austin (116.9).
Houston Index
105.8
Austin Index
116.9
Houston Rent
$2,175
Austin Rent
$2,675
Houston Home price
$390,000
Austin Home price
$484,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Houston to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Austin.
Equivalent salary in Austin
$92,813
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Houston and Austin.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Houston | Austin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 118 | 146 | +28.0 (+23.7%) |
| Groceries | 97 | 103 | +6.0 (+6.2%) |
| Transportation | 104 | 102 | -2.0 (-1.9%) |
| Healthcare | 96 | 99 | +3.0 (+3.1%) |
| Utilities | 101 | 98 | -3.0 (-3.0%) |
| Miscellaneous | 99 | 104 | +5.0 (+5.1%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$4,740 / $5,310
Houston / Austin
Couple
$7,870 / $8,810
Houston / Austin
Family
$11,090 / $12,430
Houston / Austin
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Houston city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Houston.
View Austin city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Austin.
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.