Side-by-side comparison

Atlanta vs Houston

Cost of living comparison for Atlanta, Georgia and Houston, Texas.

Bottom line

Atlanta is approximately 25% more expensive than Houston. A single person needs about $3,980/mo in Atlanta versus $3,185/mo in Houston.

Rent in Atlanta vs Houston

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Atlanta · Studio

$1,591

Houston · Studio

$1,226

Atlanta is $365 (30%) higher than Houston

Atlanta · 1 bedroom

$1,653

Houston · 1 bedroom

$1,279

Atlanta is $374 (29%) higher than Houston

Atlanta · 2 bedroom

$1,830

Houston · 2 bedroom

$1,529

Atlanta is $301 (20%) higher than Houston

Atlanta · 3 bedroom

$2,205

Houston · 3 bedroom

$2,038

Atlanta is $167 (8%) higher than Houston

Income & earnings in Atlanta vs Houston

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Atlanta · Household income

$91,490

Houston · Household income

$73,104

Atlanta is $18,386 (25%) higher than Houston

Atlanta · Individual earnings

$56,269

Houston · Individual earnings

$41,738

Atlanta is $14,531 (35%) higher than Houston

Atlanta · Per capita

$61,438

Houston · Per capita

$39,978

Atlanta is $21,460 (54%) higher than Houston

Home values in Atlanta vs Houston

Average values and property tax.

Atlanta · Average home value

$431,200

Houston · Average home value

$255,000

Atlanta is $176,200 (69%) higher than Houston

Atlanta · Annual property tax

$3,847

Houston · Annual property tax

$4,382

Houston is $535 (14%) higher than Atlanta

Energy in Atlanta vs Houston

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Atlanta · Monthly electricity

$163

Houston · Monthly electricity

$167

Houston is $4 (2%) higher than Atlanta

Atlanta · Monthly gas

$42

Houston · Monthly gas

$32

Atlanta is $10 (31%) higher than Houston

Atlanta · Annual total

$2,460

Houston · Annual total

$2,388

Atlanta is $72 (3%) higher than Houston

Healthcare in Atlanta vs Houston

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Atlanta · Individual premium

$480

Houston · Individual premium

$480

Atlanta and Houston are about the same

Atlanta · Family premium

$1,350

Houston · Family premium

$1,350

Atlanta and Houston are about the same

Atlanta · Uninsured rate

9.7%

Houston · Uninsured rate

21.2%

Houston is 11.5% (119%) higher than Atlanta

Taxes in Atlanta vs Houston

State income and sales tax.

Atlanta · State income tax

5.5%

Houston · State income tax

0.0%

Atlanta is 5.5% higher than Houston

Atlanta · State sales tax

4.0%

Houston · State sales tax

6.3%

Houston is 2.3% (56%) higher than Atlanta

Atlanta · Combined sales tax

7.4%

Houston · Combined sales tax

8.2%

Houston is 0.8% (11%) higher than Atlanta

Transportation in Atlanta vs Houston

Commute time and travel modes.

Atlanta · Average commute

28.0 min

Houston · Average commute

29.0 min

Houston is 1.0 min (4%) higher than Atlanta

Atlanta · Drive alone

58.9%

Houston · Drive alone

72.4%

Houston is 13.5% (23%) higher than Atlanta

Atlanta · Public transit

4.4%

Houston · Public transit

2.1%

Atlanta is 2.3% (110%) higher than Houston

Monthly cost estimates in Atlanta vs Houston

All categories combined.

Atlanta · Single person

$3,980

Houston · Single person

$3,185

Atlanta is $795 (25%) higher than Houston

Atlanta · Couple

$5,478

Houston · Couple

$4,536

Atlanta is $942 (21%) higher than Houston

Atlanta · Family

$7,989

Houston · Family

$7,187

Atlanta is $802 (11%) higher than Houston

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Atlanta and Houston.

Is Atlanta or Houston more expensive?

Atlanta is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,980/mo in Atlanta, Georgia and $3,185/mo in Houston, Texas, a difference of about 25%.

What is the rent difference between Atlanta and Houston?

Average one-bedroom rent in Atlanta, Georgia is $1,653/mo versus $1,279/mo in Houston, Texas. Atlanta is approximately $374 (29%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Atlanta or Houston?

Atlanta has the higher average household income. Atlanta households earn approximately $91,490 per year; Houston households earn approximately $73,104 per year.

More on Atlanta and Houston

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

Atlanta 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.