Houston vs Tulum

Cost of living comparison for 2026. Tulum is roughly 5% more affordable than Houston (index 69 vs 73, New York = 100). Data sourced live via AI — updated regularly.

Tulum
More affordable overall
5% cheaper than Houston · Cost index: 69 vs 73

Head-to-Head Stats

73Cost Index69
5,094Median Income /mo736
19Safety Index62
0Income Tax %15
145Internet (Mbps)65
250Coworking /mo250

Price Breakdown

HoustonCategoryTulum
$1,350/month
1-BR Apartment (Center)
30% ← cheaper
$950/month
$1.45/liter
Meal for One
24% ← cheaper
$1.1/liter
$12/meal
Restaurant (Mid-range)
17% ← cheaper
$10/meal
$60/month
Monthly Transit Pass
25% ← cheaper
$45/month
$200/month
Utilities (Monthly)
40% ← cheaper
$120/month
$148/visit
Doctor Visit
53% ← cheaper
$70/visit

Digital Nomad Profile

Houston

Internet145 Mbps
Coworking$250/mo
Café WiFigood
Englishhigh
Communitygrowing
Walkability45/100

Tulum

Internet65 Mbps
Coworking$250/mo
Café WiFifair
Englishmoderate
Communitygrowing
Walkability45/100

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Houston cheaper than Tulum?

Tulum is cheaper than Houston. Tulum has a cost of living index of 69/100 compared to 73/100 for Houston, making it roughly 5% more affordable overall.

How much cheaper is Tulum than Houston?

Tulum is approximately 5% cheaper than Houston based on cost index scores (69 vs 73, where New York = 100). A person spending $3,000/month in Houston could live a similar lifestyle for roughly $2,836/month in Tulum.

What is the rent comparison between Houston and Tulum?

In Houston, a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs approximately $1,350/month. In Tulum, the equivalent is around $950/month.

Which city is better for digital nomads — Houston or Tulum?

Both cities have nomad infrastructure. Houston offers 145 Mbps internet and coworking at ~$250/month. Tulum offers 65 Mbps and coworking at ~$250/month. Tulum has a cost advantage of 5%.

What is the average income in Houston vs Tulum?

The median net monthly salary in Houston is approximately $5,094 USD, compared to $736 USD in Tulum.

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