Cost of living · head to head
Washington, DC is 10% pricier than Houston, TX.
Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average.
Houston, TXoverall index
98.6
Washington, DCoverall index
108.9
Try your own salary
in Houston, TX
To live the same in Washington, DC, you’d need about $110,446.
That’s about $10,446 more — Washington, DC is pricier.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 10%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in Washington, DC runs 45% higher than in Houston, TX (151.1 vs 104.5), 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 Washington, DC
| $50,000 in Houston, TX | $55,223 |
| $75,000 in Houston, TX | $82,835 |
| $100,000 in Houston, TX | $110,446 |
| $150,000 in Houston, TX | $165,669 |
| $200,000 in Houston, TX | $220,892 |
Each row shows the salary in Washington, DC that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in Houston, TX.
Houston, TX · housing
104.5
Washington, DC · housing
151.1
Common questions
Is Washington, DC cheaper than Houston, TX?
No — Washington, DC has an overall cost-of-living index of 108.9 versus 98.6 for Houston, TX, making it about 10% more expensive.
How much do you need to earn in Washington, DC to match $100,000 in Houston, TX?
About $110,446. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in Houston, TX costs roughly $110,446 in Washington, DC.
Is housing cheaper in Washington, DC than in Houston, TX?
Housing in Washington, DC scores 151.1 versus 104.5 in Houston, TX — about 45% more expensive. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
What is the cost of living difference between Houston, TX and Washington, DC?
Overall, Washington, DC is about 10% pricier than Houston, TX (index 108.9 vs 98.6), with housing 45% higher. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.