Side-by-side comparison

Houston vs Miami

Cost of living comparison for Houston, Texas and Miami, Florida.

Bottom line

Miami is approximately 18% more expensive than Houston. A single person needs about $3,762/mo in Miami versus $3,185/mo in Houston.

Rent in Houston vs Miami

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Houston · Studio

$1,226

Miami · Studio

$1,711

Miami is $485 (40%) higher than Houston

Houston · 1 bedroom

$1,279

Miami · 1 bedroom

$1,898

Miami is $619 (48%) higher than Houston

Houston · 2 bedroom

$1,529

Miami · 2 bedroom

$2,329

Miami is $800 (52%) higher than Houston

Houston · 3 bedroom

$2,038

Miami · 3 bedroom

$3,008

Miami is $970 (48%) higher than Houston

Income & earnings in Houston vs Miami

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Houston · Household income

$73,104

Miami · Household income

$68,694

Houston is $4,410 (6%) higher than Miami

Houston · Individual earnings

$41,738

Miami · Individual earnings

$38,213

Houston is $3,525 (9%) higher than Miami

Houston · Per capita

$39,978

Miami · Per capita

$37,858

Houston is $2,120 (6%) higher than Miami

Home values in Houston vs Miami

Average values and property tax.

Houston · Average home value

$255,000

Miami · Average home value

$425,400

Miami is $170,400 (67%) higher than Houston

Houston · Annual property tax

$4,382

Miami · Annual property tax

$3,516

Houston is $866 (25%) higher than Miami

Energy in Houston vs Miami

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Houston · Monthly electricity

$167

Miami · Monthly electricity

$176

Miami is $9 (5%) higher than Houston

Houston · Monthly gas

$32

Miami · Monthly gas

$21

Houston is $11 (52%) higher than Miami

Houston · Annual total

$2,388

Miami · Annual total

$2,364

Houston is $24 (1%) higher than Miami

Healthcare in Houston vs Miami

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Houston · Individual premium

$480

Miami · Individual premium

$480

Houston and Miami are about the same

Houston · Family premium

$1,350

Miami · Family premium

$1,350

Houston and Miami are about the same

Houston · Uninsured rate

21.2%

Miami · Uninsured rate

14.3%

Houston is 6.9% (48%) higher than Miami

Taxes in Houston vs Miami

State income and sales tax.

Houston · State income tax

0.0%

Miami · State income tax

0.0%

Houston and Miami are about the same

Houston · State sales tax

6.3%

Miami · State sales tax

6.0%

Houston is 0.3% (4%) higher than Miami

Houston · Combined sales tax

8.2%

Miami · Combined sales tax

7.0%

Houston is 1.2% (17%) higher than Miami

Transportation in Houston vs Miami

Commute time and travel modes.

Houston · Average commute

29.0 min

Miami · Average commute

31.0 min

Miami is 2.0 min (7%) higher than Houston

Houston · Drive alone

72.4%

Miami · Drive alone

70.7%

Houston is 1.7% (2%) higher than Miami

Houston · Public transit

2.1%

Miami · Public transit

3.3%

Miami is 1.2% (57%) higher than Houston

Monthly cost estimates in Houston vs Miami

All categories combined.

Houston · Single person

$3,185

Miami · Single person

$3,762

Miami is $577 (18%) higher than Houston

Houston · Couple

$4,536

Miami · Couple

$5,291

Miami is $755 (17%) higher than Houston

Houston · Family

$7,187

Miami · Family

$8,128

Miami is $941 (13%) higher than Houston

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Houston and Miami.

Is Houston or Miami more expensive?

Miami is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,185/mo in Houston, Texas and $3,762/mo in Miami, Florida, a difference of about 18%.

What is the rent difference between Houston and Miami?

Average one-bedroom rent in Houston, Texas is $1,279/mo versus $1,898/mo in Miami, Florida. Miami is approximately $619 (48%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Houston or Miami?

Houston has the higher average household income. Houston households earn approximately $73,104 per year; Miami households earn approximately $68,694 per year.

More on Houston and Miami

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

Houston profile Miami 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.