City comparison
Houston vs Miami Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Houston (105.8) and Miami (132.2).
Houston Index
105.8
Miami Index
132.2
Houston Rent
$2,175
Miami Rent
$3,325
Houston Home price
$390,000
Miami Home price
$607,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Houston to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Miami.
Equivalent salary in Miami
$104,960
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Houston and Miami.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Houston | Miami | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 118 | 172 | +54.0 (+45.8%) |
| Groceries | 97 | 116 | +19.0 (+19.6%) |
| Transportation | 104 | 106 | +2.0 (+1.9%) |
| Healthcare | 96 | 108 | +12.0 (+12.5%) |
| Utilities | 101 | 111 | +10.0 (+9.9%) |
| Miscellaneous | 99 | 115 | +16.0 (+16.2%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$4,740 / $6,210
Houston / Miami
Couple
$7,870 / $10,310
Houston / Miami
Family
$11,090 / $14,530
Houston / Miami
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Houston city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Houston.
View Miami city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Miami.
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.