Houston vs Austin
Side-by-side comparison of cost of living, state income tax, housing estimates, and salary equivalents between Houston, TX and Austin, TX.
Houston, TX
COL Index
96
Monthly Budget
$4,800
State Tax
None
Population
2.4M
Austin, TX
COL Index
112
Monthly Budget
$5,600
State Tax
None
Population
1.0M
Houston is 17% less expensive than Austin
Monthly Cost Breakdown
Estimated monthly costs for a typical household in each city.
| Category | Houston | Austin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $1,551 | $1,947 | -$396 |
| Groceries | $629 | $712 | -$83 |
| Transport | $771 | $886 | -$115 |
| Healthcare | $389 | $434 | -$45 |
| Utilities | $288 | $336 | -$48 |
| Other | $1,162 | $1,315 | -$153 |
| Total | $4,800 | $5,600 | -$800 |
Tax Comparison on $100K Salary
Estimated annual taxes for a single filer earning $100,000 in each city.
| Component | Houston (TX) | Austin (TX) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Tax | $13,170 | $13,170 | $0 |
| State Tax | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| FICA | $7,650 | $7,650 | $0 |
| Total Tax | $20,820 | $20,820 | $0 |
| Take-Home Pay | $79,180 | $79,180 | $0 |
Salary Equivalent
What a Houston salary is worth in Austin (and vice versa), adjusted for cost of living.
| Houston Salary | Equivalent in Austin | Austin Salary | Equivalent in Houston |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $58,333 | $50,000 | $42,857 |
| $75,000 | $87,500 | $75,000 | $64,286 |
| $100,000 | $116,667 | $100,000 | $85,714 |
| $150,000 | $175,000 | $150,000 | $128,571 |
Houston vs Austin: What the Numbers Say
Houston is the cheaper of the two, at a cost-of-living index of 96 versus 112 for Austin. On our model's $5,000 national-average monthly budget, that works out to about $800 more per month (17% more) in Austin. The largest single gap is housing, at roughly $396 per month.
Both cities are in Texas, so state income tax is identical and the difference comes down to living costs alone.
Break-even: a $100,000 salary in Houston leaves about $79,180 a year after federal, state, and FICA tax. To keep the same purchasing power in Austin, you would need about $92,377 after tax, which means a gross salary near $118,759. This assumes a single filer taking the standard deduction and uses one index for all spending, so treat it as a starting point, not a quote.