Houston vs Austin
Cost of living comparison for 2026. Houston is roughly 5% more affordable than Austin (index 52 vs 55, New York = 100). Data sourced live via AI — updated regularly.
Life Power at $3,000/mo
The same salary ranks differently depending on where you live — from Beggar to King.
Head-to-Head Stats
Price Breakdown
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Houston
Austin
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston cheaper than Austin?
Houston is cheaper than Austin. Houston has a cost of living index of 52/100 compared to 55/100 for Austin (New York = 100), making it roughly 5% more affordable overall.
How much cheaper is Houston than Austin?
Houston is approximately 5% cheaper than Austin based on cost index scores (52 vs 55, where New York = 100). A person spending $3,000/month in Austin could live a similar lifestyle for roughly $2,847/month in Houston.
What is the rent comparison between Houston and Austin?
In Houston, a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs approximately $1,225/month. In Austin, the equivalent is around $1,650/month.
Which city is better for digital nomads — Houston or Austin?
Both cities have nomad infrastructure. Houston offers 313 Mbps internet and coworking at ~$274/month. Austin offers 200 Mbps and coworking at ~$350/month. Houston has a cost advantage of 5%.
What is the average income in Houston vs Austin?
The median net monthly salary in Houston is approximately $4,800 USD, compared to $5,417 USD in Austin.
Compare Houston with…
Popular head-to-heads — see exactly where Houston wins or loses.
Cities that cost about the same as Houston
Same spending tier, different part of the world — the head-to-heads people actually weigh when relocating.
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