Cost of living · head to head
Houston, TX is 14% cheaper than Miami, FL.
Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average.
Miami, FLoverall index
114.2
Houston, TXoverall index
98.6
Try your own salary
in Miami, FL
To live the same in Houston, TX, you’d need about $86,340.
That’s about $13,660 less — Houston, TX is cheaper.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 14%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in Houston, TX runs 33% lower than in Miami, FL (104.5 vs 155.6), 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 Miami, FL | $43,170 |
| $75,000 in Miami, FL | $64,755 |
| $100,000 in Miami, FL | $86,340 |
| $150,000 in Miami, FL | $129,510 |
| $200,000 in Miami, FL | $172,680 |
Each row shows the salary in Houston, TX that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in Miami, FL.
Miami, FL · housing
155.6
Houston, TX · housing
104.5
Common questions
Is Houston, TX cheaper than Miami, FL?
Yes — Houston, TX has an overall cost-of-living index of 98.6 versus 114.2 for Miami, FL, making it about 14% cheaper.
How much do you need to earn in Houston, TX to match $100,000 in Miami, FL?
About $86,340. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in Miami, FL costs roughly $86,340 in Houston, TX.
Is housing cheaper in Houston, TX than in Miami, FL?
Housing in Houston, TX scores 104.5 versus 155.6 in Miami, FL — about 33% cheaper. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
What is the cost of living difference between Miami, FL and Houston, TX?
Overall, Houston, TX is about 14% cheaper than Miami, FL (index 98.6 vs 114.2), with housing 33% lower. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.