Cost of living · head to head
Houston, TX is 9% cheaper than Washington, DC.
Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average.
Washington, DCoverall index
108.9
Houston, TXoverall index
98.6
Try your own salary
in Washington, DC
To live the same in Houston, TX, you’d need about $90,542.
That’s about $9,458 less — Houston, TX is cheaper.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 9%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in Houston, TX runs 31% lower than in Washington, DC (104.5 vs 151.1), 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 Washington, DC | $45,271 |
| $75,000 in Washington, DC | $67,906 |
| $100,000 in Washington, DC | $90,542 |
| $150,000 in Washington, DC | $135,813 |
| $200,000 in Washington, DC | $181,084 |
Each row shows the salary in Houston, TX that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in Washington, DC.
Washington, DC · housing
151.1
Houston, TX · housing
104.5
Common questions
Is Houston, TX cheaper than Washington, DC?
Yes — Houston, TX has an overall cost-of-living index of 98.6 versus 108.9 for Washington, DC, making it about 9% cheaper.
How much do you need to earn in Houston, TX to match $100,000 in Washington, DC?
About $90,542. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in Washington, DC costs roughly $90,542 in Houston, TX.
Is housing cheaper in Houston, TX than in Washington, DC?
Housing in Houston, TX scores 104.5 versus 151.1 in Washington, DC — about 31% cheaper. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
What is the cost of living difference between Washington, DC and Houston, TX?
Overall, Houston, TX is about 9% cheaper than Washington, DC (index 98.6 vs 108.9), with housing 31% lower. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.