The numbers, side by side
| Metric | Austin | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost-of-living index | 121 | 99 | -22 |
| 1-bed rent (avg) | $1,700 | $1,400 | -$300 |
| 2-bed rent (avg) | $2,200 | $1,800 | -$400 |
| Median household income | $71,349 | $56,203 | -$15,146 |
| Population | 978,908 | 2,320,268 | +1,341,360 |
What salary you'd need in Houston
To maintain your Austin purchasing power, here's what you'd need to earn in Houston.
Austin vs Houston: which makes more sense for you?
On paper, Austin's cost-of-living index of 121 runs roughly 18.2% higher than Houston's 99. But that headline number papers over real differences in how that cost is distributed — rent might be far more expensive while groceries and transit costs run closer to even.
The rent gap
A 1-bedroom apartment in Austin averages $1,700/month, vs $1,400/month in Houston — a -$300 difference. For 2-bedrooms, the gap widens to -$400/month. Over a year, the rent difference alone is $3,600 on a 1-bed.
Income context
Median household income in Austin is $71,349, while Houston runs $56,203 (-$15,146 difference). That matters for how the cost-of-living gap actually feels day-to-day — if local salaries are also higher, the cost difference washes out partly. If local salaries lag the cost-of-living gap, your paycheck buys noticeably less.
State tax differences
Both cities are in the same state, so state income tax is identical. The cost difference is purely local — rent, transit, groceries, and lifestyle.