Cost of living · head to head
Miami, FL is 16% 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
Miami, FLoverall index
114.2
Try your own salary
in Houston, TX
To live the same in Miami, FL, you’d need about $115,822.
That’s about $15,822 more — Miami, FL is pricier.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 16%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in Miami, FL runs 49% higher than in Houston, TX (155.6 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 Miami, FL
| $50,000 in Houston, TX | $57,911 |
| $75,000 in Houston, TX | $86,866 |
| $100,000 in Houston, TX | $115,822 |
| $150,000 in Houston, TX | $173,732 |
| $200,000 in Houston, TX | $231,643 |
Each row shows the salary in Miami, FL that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in Houston, TX.
Houston, TX · housing
104.5
Miami, FL · housing
155.6
Common questions
Is Miami, FL cheaper than Houston, TX?
No — Miami, FL has an overall cost-of-living index of 114.2 versus 98.6 for Houston, TX, making it about 16% more expensive.
How much do you need to earn in Miami, FL to match $100,000 in Houston, TX?
About $115,822. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in Houston, TX costs roughly $115,822 in Miami, FL.
Is housing cheaper in Miami, FL than in Houston, TX?
Housing in Miami, FL scores 155.6 versus 104.5 in Houston, TX — about 49% more expensive. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
What is the cost of living difference between Houston, TX and Miami, FL?
Overall, Miami, FL is about 16% pricier than Houston, TX (index 114.2 vs 98.6), with housing 49% higher. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.