Side-by-side comparison

Houston vs Phoenix

Cost of living comparison for Houston, Texas and Phoenix, Arizona.

Bottom line

Phoenix is approximately 16% more expensive than Houston. A single person needs about $3,694/mo in Phoenix versus $3,185/mo in Houston.

Rent in Houston vs Phoenix

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Houston · Studio

$1,226

Phoenix · Studio

$1,530

Phoenix is $304 (25%) higher than Houston

Houston · 1 bedroom

$1,279

Phoenix · 1 bedroom

$1,679

Phoenix is $400 (31%) higher than Houston

Houston · 2 bedroom

$1,529

Phoenix · 2 bedroom

$1,950

Phoenix is $421 (28%) higher than Houston

Houston · 3 bedroom

$2,038

Phoenix · 3 bedroom

$2,624

Phoenix is $586 (29%) higher than Houston

Income & earnings in Houston vs Phoenix

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Houston · Household income

$73,104

Phoenix · Household income

$85,518

Phoenix is $12,414 (17%) higher than Houston

Houston · Individual earnings

$41,738

Phoenix · Individual earnings

$46,640

Phoenix is $4,902 (12%) higher than Houston

Houston · Per capita

$39,978

Phoenix · Per capita

$44,210

Phoenix is $4,232 (11%) higher than Houston

Home values in Houston vs Phoenix

Average values and property tax.

Houston · Average home value

$255,000

Phoenix · Average home value

$414,700

Phoenix is $159,700 (63%) higher than Houston

Houston · Annual property tax

$4,382

Phoenix · Annual property tax

$1,965

Houston is $2,417 (123%) higher than Phoenix

Energy in Houston vs Phoenix

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Houston · Monthly electricity

$167

Phoenix · Monthly electricity

$150

Houston is $17 (11%) higher than Phoenix

Houston · Monthly gas

$32

Phoenix · Monthly gas

$39

Phoenix is $7 (22%) higher than Houston

Houston · Annual total

$2,388

Phoenix · Annual total

$2,268

Houston is $120 (5%) higher than Phoenix

Healthcare in Houston vs Phoenix

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Houston · Individual premium

$480

Phoenix · Individual premium

$480

Houston and Phoenix are about the same

Houston · Family premium

$1,350

Phoenix · Family premium

$1,350

Houston and Phoenix are about the same

Houston · Uninsured rate

21.2%

Phoenix · Uninsured rate

10.7%

Houston is 10.5% (98%) higher than Phoenix

Taxes in Houston vs Phoenix

State income and sales tax.

Houston · State income tax

0.0%

Phoenix · State income tax

2.5%

Phoenix is 2.5% higher than Houston

Houston · State sales tax

6.3%

Phoenix · State sales tax

5.6%

Houston is 0.7% (12%) higher than Phoenix

Houston · Combined sales tax

8.2%

Phoenix · Combined sales tax

8.4%

Phoenix is 0.2% (2%) higher than Houston

Transportation in Houston vs Phoenix

Commute time and travel modes.

Houston · Average commute

29.0 min

Phoenix · Average commute

26.1 min

Houston is 2.9 min (11%) higher than Phoenix

Houston · Drive alone

72.4%

Phoenix · Drive alone

66.6%

Houston is 5.8% (9%) higher than Phoenix

Houston · Public transit

2.1%

Phoenix · Public transit

1.3%

Houston is 0.8% (62%) higher than Phoenix

Monthly cost estimates in Houston vs Phoenix

All categories combined.

Houston · Single person

$3,185

Phoenix · Single person

$3,694

Phoenix is $509 (16%) higher than Houston

Houston · Couple

$4,536

Phoenix · Couple

$5,274

Phoenix is $738 (16%) higher than Houston

Houston · Family

$7,187

Phoenix · Family

$8,098

Phoenix is $911 (13%) higher than Houston

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Houston and Phoenix.

Is Houston or Phoenix more expensive?

Phoenix is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,185/mo in Houston, Texas and $3,694/mo in Phoenix, Arizona, a difference of about 16%.

What is the rent difference between Houston and Phoenix?

Average one-bedroom rent in Houston, Texas is $1,279/mo versus $1,679/mo in Phoenix, Arizona. Phoenix is approximately $400 (31%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Houston or Phoenix?

Phoenix has the higher average household income. Houston households earn approximately $73,104 per year; Phoenix households earn approximately $85,518 per year.

More on Houston and Phoenix

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

Houston profile Phoenix 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.