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Cost of living · head to head

Houston, TX is approximately 12% cheaper than New York, NY, using New York, NY as the comparison base.

Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average. Figures represent the wider New York, NY and Houston, TX metropolitan areas, not city limits.

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New York, NYoverall index
112.6
Houston, TXoverall index
98.6
Estimated salary equivalent based on regional price levels
in New York, NY
A salary of $100,000 in New York, NY has approximately the same purchasing power as $87,567 in Houston, TX, based on regional price levels.
In plain terms: Houston, TX is cheaper than New York, NY, so you’d only need about $87,567 there to match the lifestyle $100,000 buys in New York, NY same groceries, same rent level, same everyday spending. That’s ~$12,400 less you’d need to earn, not a step down.
Before tax. This estimate does not account for individual spending habits, household size, taxes, childcare, healthcare, transport choices or personal housing circumstances.

The headline gap is 12%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing rents in Houston, TX run 30% lower than in New York, NY (104.5 vs 148.6), while everyday goods and services sit closer together. For most people, housing rents move the most when relocating between these two metros, so weigh that gap more heavily than the overall figure.

CategoryNew York, NYHouston, TXDifference
Overall112.698.6-12%
Goods110.3100.6-9%
Housing rents148.6104.5-30%
Utilities127.095.3-25%
Other services105.895.6-10%

Houston, TX differs from New York, NY the most in housing rents — about 30% lower in Houston, TX — while the closest is goods.

$50,000 in New York, NY$43,783
$75,000 in New York, NY$65,675
$100,000 in New York, NY$87,567
$150,000 in New York, NY$131,350
$200,000 in New York, NY$175,133

Each row shows the estimated salary equivalent in Houston, TX, based on regional price levels, for the amount earned in New York, NY.

Before tax. This estimate does not account for individual spending habits, household size, taxes, childcare, healthcare, transport choices or personal housing circumstances.

Is Houston, TX cheaper than New York, NY?

Yes — Houston, TX has an overall cost-of-living index of 98.6 versus 112.6 for New York, NY, making it about 12% cheaper.

What is the estimated salary equivalent for $100,000 in New York, NY if you moved to Houston, TX?

About $87,567, based on regional price levels — a $100,000 salary in New York, NY has approximately the same purchasing power as $87,567 in Houston, TX. This is an estimate and does not account for taxes, household size, or personal spending habits.

Is housing cheaper in Houston, TX than in New York, NY?

Housing rents in Houston, TX score 104.5 versus 148.6 in New York, NY — about 30% cheaper. Housing rents are often the main driver of differences in overall price levels between metro areas.

What is the cost of living difference between New York, NY and Houston, TX?

Overall, Houston, TX is about 12% cheaper than New York, NY (index 98.6 vs 112.6), with housing 30% lower. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.