Side-by-side comparison

Houston vs Seattle

Cost of living comparison for Houston, Texas and Seattle, Washington.

Bottom line

Seattle is approximately 44% more expensive than Houston. A single person needs about $4,588/mo in Seattle versus $3,185/mo in Houston.

Rent in Houston vs Seattle

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Houston · Studio

$1,226

Seattle · Studio

$2,238

Seattle is $1,012 (83%) higher than Houston

Houston · 1 bedroom

$1,279

Seattle · 1 bedroom

$2,293

Seattle is $1,014 (79%) higher than Houston

Houston · 2 bedroom

$1,529

Seattle · 2 bedroom

$2,671

Seattle is $1,142 (75%) higher than Houston

Houston · 3 bedroom

$2,038

Seattle · 3 bedroom

$3,521

Seattle is $1,483 (73%) higher than Houston

Income & earnings in Houston vs Seattle

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Houston · Household income

$73,104

Seattle · Household income

$122,148

Seattle is $49,044 (67%) higher than Houston

Houston · Individual earnings

$41,738

Seattle · Individual earnings

$67,141

Seattle is $25,403 (61%) higher than Houston

Houston · Per capita

$39,978

Seattle · Per capita

$71,062

Seattle is $31,084 (78%) higher than Houston

Home values in Houston vs Seattle

Average values and property tax.

Houston · Average home value

$255,000

Seattle · Average home value

$811,200

Seattle is $556,200 (218%) higher than Houston

Houston · Annual property tax

$4,382

Seattle · Annual property tax

$6,785

Seattle is $2,403 (55%) higher than Houston

Energy in Houston vs Seattle

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Houston · Monthly electricity

$167

Seattle · Monthly electricity

$109

Houston is $58 (53%) higher than Seattle

Houston · Monthly gas

$32

Seattle · Monthly gas

$48

Seattle is $16 (50%) higher than Houston

Houston · Annual total

$2,388

Seattle · Annual total

$1,884

Houston is $504 (27%) higher than Seattle

Healthcare in Houston vs Seattle

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Houston · Individual premium

$480

Seattle · Individual premium

$480

Houston and Seattle are about the same

Houston · Family premium

$1,350

Seattle · Family premium

$1,350

Houston and Seattle are about the same

Houston · Uninsured rate

21.2%

Seattle · Uninsured rate

5.2%

Houston is 16.0% (308%) higher than Seattle

Taxes in Houston vs Seattle

State income and sales tax.

Houston · State income tax

0.0%

Seattle · State income tax

0.0%

Houston and Seattle are about the same

Houston · State sales tax

6.3%

Seattle · State sales tax

6.5%

Seattle is 0.3% (4%) higher than Houston

Houston · Combined sales tax

8.2%

Seattle · Combined sales tax

10.2%

Seattle is 2.0% (25%) higher than Houston

Transportation in Houston vs Seattle

Commute time and travel modes.

Houston · Average commute

29.0 min

Seattle · Average commute

28.1 min

Houston is 0.9 min (3%) higher than Seattle

Houston · Drive alone

72.4%

Seattle · Drive alone

51.8%

Houston is 20.6% (40%) higher than Seattle

Houston · Public transit

2.1%

Seattle · Public transit

8.0%

Seattle is 5.9% (281%) higher than Houston

Monthly cost estimates in Houston vs Seattle

All categories combined.

Houston · Single person

$3,185

Seattle · Single person

$4,588

Seattle is $1,403 (44%) higher than Houston

Houston · Couple

$4,536

Seattle · Couple

$6,424

Seattle is $1,888 (42%) higher than Houston

Houston · Family

$7,187

Seattle · Family

$9,440

Seattle is $2,253 (31%) higher than Houston

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Houston and Seattle.

Is Houston or Seattle more expensive?

Seattle is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,185/mo in Houston, Texas and $4,588/mo in Seattle, Washington, a difference of about 44%.

What is the rent difference between Houston and Seattle?

Average one-bedroom rent in Houston, Texas is $1,279/mo versus $2,293/mo in Seattle, Washington. Seattle is approximately $1,014 (79%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Houston or Seattle?

Seattle has the higher average household income. Houston households earn approximately $73,104 per year; Seattle households earn approximately $122,148 per year.

More on Houston and Seattle

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

Houston profile Seattle 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.