Side-by-side comparison

Fairfax vs Houston

Cost of living comparison for Fairfax, Virginia and Houston, Texas.

Bottom line

Fairfax is approximately 51% more expensive than Houston. A single person needs about $4,808/mo in Fairfax versus $3,185/mo in Houston.

Rent in Fairfax vs Houston

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Fairfax · Studio

$2,012

Houston · Studio

$1,226

Fairfax is $786 (64%) higher than Houston

Fairfax · 1 bedroom

$2,056

Houston · 1 bedroom

$1,279

Fairfax is $777 (61%) higher than Houston

Fairfax · 2 bedroom

$2,314

Houston · 2 bedroom

$1,529

Fairfax is $785 (51%) higher than Houston

Fairfax · 3 bedroom

$2,893

Houston · 3 bedroom

$2,038

Fairfax is $855 (42%) higher than Houston

Income & earnings in Fairfax vs Houston

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Fairfax · Household income

$150,113

Houston · Household income

$73,104

Fairfax is $77,009 (105%) higher than Houston

Fairfax · Individual earnings

$71,572

Houston · Individual earnings

$41,738

Fairfax is $29,834 (71%) higher than Houston

Fairfax · Per capita

$69,971

Houston · Per capita

$39,978

Fairfax is $29,993 (75%) higher than Houston

Home values in Fairfax vs Houston

Average values and property tax.

Fairfax · Average home value

$699,700

Houston · Average home value

$255,000

Fairfax is $444,700 (174%) higher than Houston

Fairfax · Annual property tax

$7,072

Houston · Annual property tax

$4,382

Fairfax is $2,690 (61%) higher than Houston

Energy in Fairfax vs Houston

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Fairfax · Monthly electricity

$153

Houston · Monthly electricity

$167

Houston is $14 (9%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · Monthly gas

$49

Houston · Monthly gas

$32

Fairfax is $17 (53%) higher than Houston

Fairfax · Annual total

$2,424

Houston · Annual total

$2,388

Fairfax is $36 (2%) higher than Houston

Healthcare in Fairfax vs Houston

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Fairfax · Individual premium

$480

Houston · Individual premium

$480

Fairfax and Houston are about the same

Fairfax · Family premium

$1,350

Houston · Family premium

$1,350

Fairfax and Houston are about the same

Fairfax · Uninsured rate

7.4%

Houston · Uninsured rate

21.2%

Houston is 13.8% (186%) higher than Fairfax

Taxes in Fairfax vs Houston

State income and sales tax.

Fairfax · State income tax

5.8%

Houston · State income tax

0.0%

Fairfax is 5.8% higher than Houston

Fairfax · State sales tax

5.3%

Houston · State sales tax

6.3%

Houston is 1.0% (18%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · Combined sales tax

5.8%

Houston · Combined sales tax

8.2%

Houston is 2.4% (42%) higher than Fairfax

Transportation in Fairfax vs Houston

Commute time and travel modes.

Fairfax · Average commute

29.5 min

Houston · Average commute

29.0 min

Fairfax is 0.5 min (2%) higher than Houston

Fairfax · Drive alone

57.9%

Houston · Drive alone

72.4%

Houston is 14.5% (25%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · Public transit

5.3%

Houston · Public transit

2.1%

Fairfax is 3.2% (152%) higher than Houston

Monthly cost estimates in Fairfax vs Houston

All categories combined.

Fairfax · Single person

$4,808

Houston · Single person

$3,185

Fairfax is $1,623 (51%) higher than Houston

Fairfax · Couple

$7,470

Houston · Couple

$4,536

Fairfax is $2,934 (65%) higher than Houston

Fairfax · Family

$10,211

Houston · Family

$7,187

Fairfax is $3,024 (42%) higher than Houston

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Fairfax and Houston.

Is Fairfax or Houston more expensive?

Fairfax is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,808/mo in Fairfax, Virginia and $3,185/mo in Houston, Texas, a difference of about 51%.

What is the rent difference between Fairfax and Houston?

Average one-bedroom rent in Fairfax, Virginia is $2,056/mo versus $1,279/mo in Houston, Texas. Fairfax is approximately $777 (61%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Fairfax or Houston?

Fairfax has the higher average household income. Fairfax households earn approximately $150,113 per year; Houston households earn approximately $73,104 per year.

More on Fairfax and Houston

Read full profiles for either area, or pick a different pair to compare.

Fairfax profile Houston profile Compare different areas

About this data

Figures come from official U.S. government sources including the Census Bureau (ACS), HUD Fair Market Rents, and the Energy Information Administration. See our methodology for details.