City comparison
Miami vs Houston Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Miami (132.2) and Houston (105.8).
Miami Index
132.2
Houston Index
105.8
Miami Rent
$3,325
Houston Rent
$2,175
Miami Home price
$607,000
Houston Home price
$390,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Miami to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Houston.
Equivalent salary in Houston
$88,033
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Miami and Houston.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Miami | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 172 | 118 | -54.0 (-31.4%) |
| Groceries | 116 | 97 | -19.0 (-16.4%) |
| Transportation | 106 | 104 | -2.0 (-1.9%) |
| Healthcare | 108 | 96 | -12.0 (-11.1%) |
| Utilities | 111 | 101 | -10.0 (-9.0%) |
| Miscellaneous | 115 | 99 | -16.0 (-13.9%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$6,210 / $4,740
Miami / Houston
Couple
$10,310 / $7,870
Miami / Houston
Family
$14,530 / $11,090
Miami / Houston
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Miami city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Miami.
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.