Cost of living · head to head
Houston, TX is 12% cheaper than New York, NY.
Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average.
New York, NYoverall index
112.6
Houston, TXoverall index
98.6
Try your own salary
in New York, NY
To live the same in Houston, TX, you’d need about $87,567.
That’s about $12,433 less — Houston, TX is cheaper.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 12%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in Houston, TX runs 30% lower than in New York, NY (104.5 vs 148.6), 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 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 salary in Houston, TX that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in New York, NY.
New York, NY · housing
148.6
Houston, TX · housing
104.5
Common questions
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.
How much do you need to earn in Houston, TX to match $100,000 in New York, NY?
About $87,567. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in New York, NY costs roughly $87,567 in Houston, TX.
Is housing cheaper in Houston, TX than in New York, NY?
Housing in Houston, TX scores 104.5 versus 148.6 in New York, NY — about 30% cheaper. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
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.