City comparison
Washington vs Houston Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Washington (142.9) and Houston (105.8).
Washington Index
142.9
Houston Index
105.8
Washington Rent
$3,800
Houston Rent
$2,175
Washington Home price
$705,000
Houston Home price
$390,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Washington to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Houston.
Equivalent salary in Houston
$88,105
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Washington and Houston.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Washington | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 201 | 118 | -83.0 (-41.3%) |
| Groceries | 117 | 97 | -20.0 (-17.1%) |
| Transportation | 109 | 104 | -5.0 (-4.6%) |
| Healthcare | 111 | 96 | -15.0 (-13.5%) |
| Utilities | 104 | 101 | -3.0 (-2.9%) |
| Miscellaneous | 118 | 99 | -19.0 (-16.1%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$6,720 / $4,740
Washington / Houston
Couple
$11,160 / $7,870
Washington / Houston
Family
$15,720 / $11,090
Washington / Houston
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Washington city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Washington.
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.