Houston vs Phoenix
Side-by-side comparison of cost of living, state income tax, housing estimates, and salary equivalents between Houston, TX and Phoenix, AZ.
Houston, TX
COL Index
96
Monthly Budget
$4,800
State Tax
None
Population
2.3M
Phoenix, AZ
COL Index
103
Monthly Budget
$5,150
State Tax
2.5%
Population
1.6M
Houston is 7% less expensive than Phoenix
Monthly Cost Breakdown
Estimated monthly costs for a typical household in each city.
| Category | Houston | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $1,551 | $1,724 | -$173 |
| Groceries | $629 | $666 | -$37 |
| Transport | $771 | $822 | -$51 |
| Healthcare | $389 | $408 | -$19 |
| Utilities | $288 | $309 | -$21 |
| Other | $1,162 | $1,229 | -$67 |
| Total | $4,800 | $5,150 | -$350 |
Tax Comparison on $100K Salary
Estimated annual taxes for a single filer earning $100,000 in each city.
| Component | Houston (TX) | Phoenix (AZ) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Tax | $13,170 | $13,170 | $0 |
| State Tax | $0 | $2,500 | -$2,500 |
| FICA | $7,650 | $7,650 | $0 |
| Total Tax | $20,820 | $23,320 | -$2,500 |
| Take-Home Pay | $79,180 | $76,680 | +$2,500 |
Salary Equivalent
What a Houston salary is worth in Phoenix (and vice versa), adjusted for cost of living.
| Houston Salary | Equivalent in Phoenix | Phoenix Salary | Equivalent in Houston |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $53,646 | $50,000 | $46,602 |
| $75,000 | $80,469 | $75,000 | $69,903 |
| $100,000 | $107,292 | $100,000 | $93,204 |
| $150,000 | $160,938 | $150,000 | $139,806 |