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Cost of Living: New York, NY vs Houston, TX

A data-driven comparison of housing, groceries, transportation, taxes, job market and more. See which city gives you more for your money.

33.8% Houston, TX is cheaper overall
52.8% 52.8% cheaper housing
19.0% 19.0% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 52.8% cheaper
New York
195
Houston
92
🛒 Groceries 19.0% cheaper
New York
116
Houston
94
🚗 Transportation 23.1% cheaper
New York
130
Houston
100
🏥 Healthcare 17.4% cheaper
New York
115
Houston
95
⚡ Utilities 5.4% cheaper
New York
112
Houston
106

Detailed Breakdown

Category New York, NY Houston, TX Difference
Overall Cost Index1459633.8% less
Housing1959252.8% less
Median 1BR Rent$3,200$1,20062.5% less
Median Home Price$750,000$295,00060.7% less
Groceries1169419.0% less
Transportation13010023.1% less
Healthcare1159517.4% less
Utilities1121065.4% less

Tax Comparison

Tax Type New York, NY Houston, TX
State Income Tax10.90% (top)None (0%)
State Sales Tax4.00%6.25%
Avg Property Tax Rate1.40%1.60%
Estate / Inheritance TaxYesNone

What You'd Need to Earn

New York, NY
$115,000
Median household income
Houston, TX
$67,000
Median household income
⚠️ Heads up: Houston costs more but median income is lower. You may need to earn more to maintain the same standard of living.

Salary Equivalent Calculator

Find out what you'd need to earn in Houston to maintain your New York lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: New York (145) vs Houston (96). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
New York5.1%
Houston4.5%
Job Growth (YoY)
New York2.8%
Houston3.1%
Top Industries
New YorkFinance, Media, Tech
HoustonEnergy, Healthcare, Aerospace

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
New York41 min
Houston30 min
Walk Score
New York89
Houston33
Air Quality (AQI)
New York48
Houston52
Avg Temperature
New York55°F
Houston70°F
Population
New York8,258,035
Houston2,304,580

Moving from New York to Houston?

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Planning Your Move?

Here are some helpful resources if you're considering relocating.

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in New York and Houston → 🚚 Get Moving QuotesCompare prices from top movers → 📈 Check Home ValuesSee real estate trends in both cities → 💼 Search JobsFind open positions in Houston →

Compare Other Cities

New York vs Austin → New York vs Denver → New York vs Nashville → Houston vs Raleigh → Houston vs Portland → Houston vs Phoenix →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is New York or Houston cheaper to live in?+
Houston is the more affordable option overall. The biggest difference is in housing costs, where the gap is about 52.8%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in New York vs Houston?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $3,200/month in New York and $1,200/month in Houston — a difference of about $2,000 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, New York or Houston?+
New York has a state income tax of 10.90% (top) and sales tax of 4.00%. Texas has a state income tax of None (0%) and sales tax of 6.25%. Consider all tax types together when evaluating total tax burden, as states with no income tax often compensate with higher sales or property taxes.
Can I afford to move from New York to Houston?+
Median household income in New York is $115,000 compared to $67,000 in Houston. Use the salary calculator above to see what you'd need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.
What about buying a home in New York vs Houston?+
The median home price in New York is $750,000 versus $295,000 in Houston — a difference of $455,000. Property tax rates also differ: New York averages 1.40% while Texas averages 1.60%.