Cost of living · head to head
New York, NY is 14% 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
New York, NYoverall index
112.6
Try your own salary
in Houston, TX
To live the same in New York, NY, you’d need about $114,199.
That’s about $14,199 more — New York, NY is pricier.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 14%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in New York, NY runs 42% higher than in Houston, TX (148.6 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 New York, NY
| $50,000 in Houston, TX | $57,099 |
| $75,000 in Houston, TX | $85,649 |
| $100,000 in Houston, TX | $114,199 |
| $150,000 in Houston, TX | $171,298 |
| $200,000 in Houston, TX | $228,398 |
Each row shows the salary in New York, NY that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in Houston, TX.
Houston, TX · housing
104.5
New York, NY · housing
148.6
Common questions
Is New York, NY cheaper than Houston, TX?
No — New York, NY has an overall cost-of-living index of 112.6 versus 98.6 for Houston, TX, making it about 14% more expensive.
How much do you need to earn in New York, NY to match $100,000 in Houston, TX?
About $114,199. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in Houston, TX costs roughly $114,199 in New York, NY.
Is housing cheaper in New York, NY than in Houston, TX?
Housing in New York, NY scores 148.6 versus 104.5 in Houston, TX — about 42% more expensive. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
What is the cost of living difference between Houston, TX and New York, NY?
Overall, New York, NY is about 14% pricier than Houston, TX (index 112.6 vs 98.6), with housing 42% higher. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.