Houston, TX vs Seattle, WA

The cost of living difference between Houston, TX and Seattle, WA is dramatic. Houston is 45.4% cheaper than Seattle, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Houston has a cost index of 96 while Seattle sits at 175, 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 Houston is $1,313/month compared to $1,998/month in Seattle — a 34% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Houston is more affordable at $253,400 median vs $912,100.

Median household income in Houston is $62,894 compared to $121,984 in Seattle (-48.4%). While Seattle is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Houston spend roughly 25.1% of their income on rent, more than the 19.7% in Seattle.

Climate-wise, Houston is notably warmer with an average of 71.1°F compared to 53.2°F in Seattle. Houston receives more rainfall at 55.6" per year compared to 37.8" in Seattle.