City comparison
Phoenix vs Houston Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Phoenix (113.5) and Houston (105.8).
Phoenix Index
113.5
Houston Index
105.8
Phoenix Rent
$2,525
Houston Rent
$2,175
Phoenix Home price
$459,000
Houston Home price
$390,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Phoenix to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Houston.
Equivalent salary in Houston
$84,826
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Phoenix and Houston.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Phoenix | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 136 | 118 | -18.0 (-13.2%) |
| Groceries | 101 | 97 | -4.0 (-4.0%) |
| Transportation | 103 | 104 | +1.0 (+1.0%) |
| Healthcare | 98 | 96 | -2.0 (-2.0%) |
| Utilities | 108 | 101 | -7.0 (-6.5%) |
| Miscellaneous | 101 | 99 | -2.0 (-2.0%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$5,160 / $4,740
Phoenix / Houston
Couple
$8,570 / $7,870
Phoenix / Houston
Family
$12,070 / $11,090
Phoenix / Houston
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Phoenix city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Phoenix.
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.