City comparison
Seattle vs Houston Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Seattle (137.2) and Houston (105.8).
Seattle Index
137.2
Houston Index
105.8
Seattle Rent
$3,475
Houston Rent
$2,175
Seattle Home price
$636,000
Houston Home price
$390,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Seattle to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Houston.
Equivalent salary in Houston
$87,138
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Seattle and Houston.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Seattle | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 184 | 118 | -66.0 (-35.9%) |
| Groceries | 118 | 97 | -21.0 (-17.8%) |
| Transportation | 113 | 104 | -9.0 (-8.0%) |
| Healthcare | 109 | 96 | -13.0 (-11.9%) |
| Utilities | 103 | 101 | -2.0 (-1.9%) |
| Miscellaneous | 116 | 99 | -17.0 (-14.7%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$6,410 / $4,740
Seattle / Houston
Couple
$10,640 / $7,870
Seattle / Houston
Family
$15,000 / $11,090
Seattle / Houston
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Seattle city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Seattle.
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.