Cost of living · head to head
Houston, TX is 1% cheaper than Atlanta, GA.
Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average.
Atlanta, GAoverall index
100.1
Houston, TXoverall index
98.6
Try your own salary
in Atlanta, GA
To live the same in Houston, TX, you’d need about $98,501.
That’s about $1,499 less — Houston, TX is cheaper.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 1%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in Houston, TX runs 6% lower than in Atlanta, GA (104.5 vs 111), while everyday goods and services sit closer together. For most people the rent or mortgage line moves the most when relocating between these two metros, so weigh that gap more heavily than the overall figure.
Salary you’d need in Houston, TX
| $50,000 in Atlanta, GA | $49,251 |
| $75,000 in Atlanta, GA | $73,876 |
| $100,000 in Atlanta, GA | $98,501 |
| $150,000 in Atlanta, GA | $147,752 |
| $200,000 in Atlanta, GA | $197,003 |
Each row shows the salary in Houston, TX that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in Atlanta, GA.
Atlanta, GA · housing
111
Houston, TX · housing
104.5
Common questions
Is Houston, TX cheaper than Atlanta, GA?
Yes — Houston, TX has an overall cost-of-living index of 98.6 versus 100.1 for Atlanta, GA, making it about 1% cheaper.
How much do you need to earn in Houston, TX to match $100,000 in Atlanta, GA?
About $98,501. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in Atlanta, GA costs roughly $98,501 in Houston, TX.
Is housing cheaper in Houston, TX than in Atlanta, GA?
Housing in Houston, TX scores 104.5 versus 111 in Atlanta, GA — about 6% cheaper. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
What is the cost of living difference between Atlanta, GA and Houston, TX?
Overall, Houston, TX is about 1% cheaper than Atlanta, GA (index 98.6 vs 100.1), with housing 6% lower. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.