City comparison
Houston vs Washington Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Houston (105.8) and Washington (142.9).
Houston Index
105.8
Washington Index
142.9
Houston Rent
$2,175
Washington Rent
$3,800
Houston Home price
$390,000
Washington Home price
$705,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Houston to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Washington.
Equivalent salary in Washington
$113,456
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Houston and Washington.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Houston | Washington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 118 | 201 | +83.0 (+70.3%) |
| Groceries | 97 | 117 | +20.0 (+20.6%) |
| Transportation | 104 | 109 | +5.0 (+4.8%) |
| Healthcare | 96 | 111 | +15.0 (+15.6%) |
| Utilities | 101 | 104 | +3.0 (+3.0%) |
| Miscellaneous | 99 | 118 | +19.0 (+19.2%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$4,740 / $6,720
Houston / Washington
Couple
$7,870 / $11,160
Houston / Washington
Family
$11,090 / $15,720
Houston / Washington
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Houston city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Houston.
View Washington city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Washington.
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.