Austin, TX vs Houston, TX

The cost of living difference between Austin, TX and Houston, TX is dramatic. Houston is 32.6% cheaper than Austin, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Austin has a cost index of 127 while Houston sits at 96, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Austin is $1,655/month compared to $1,313/month in Houston — a 26% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Houston is more affordable at $253,400 median vs $512,700.

Median household income in Austin is $91,461 compared to $62,894 in Houston (+45.4%). While Austin is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Austin spend roughly 21.7% of their income on rent, less than the 25.1% in Houston.