Cost of living · head to head
Houston, TX is 5% cheaper than Phoenix, AZ.
Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average.
Phoenix, AZoverall index
103.3
Houston, TXoverall index
98.6
Try your own salary
in Phoenix, AZ
To live the same in Houston, TX, you’d need about $95,450.
That’s about $4,550 less — Houston, TX is cheaper.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 5%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in Houston, TX runs 14% lower than in Phoenix, AZ (104.5 vs 121.2), 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 Phoenix, AZ | $47,725 |
| $75,000 in Phoenix, AZ | $71,588 |
| $100,000 in Phoenix, AZ | $95,450 |
| $150,000 in Phoenix, AZ | $143,175 |
| $200,000 in Phoenix, AZ | $190,900 |
Each row shows the salary in Houston, TX that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in Phoenix, AZ.
Phoenix, AZ · housing
121.2
Houston, TX · housing
104.5
Common questions
Is Houston, TX cheaper than Phoenix, AZ?
Yes — Houston, TX has an overall cost-of-living index of 98.6 versus 103.3 for Phoenix, AZ, making it about 5% cheaper.
How much do you need to earn in Houston, TX to match $100,000 in Phoenix, AZ?
About $95,450. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in Phoenix, AZ costs roughly $95,450 in Houston, TX.
Is housing cheaper in Houston, TX than in Phoenix, AZ?
Housing in Houston, TX scores 104.5 versus 121.2 in Phoenix, AZ — about 14% cheaper. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
What is the cost of living difference between Phoenix, AZ and Houston, TX?
Overall, Houston, TX is about 5% cheaper than Phoenix, AZ (index 98.6 vs 103.3), with housing 14% lower. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.