Side-by-side comparison

Houston vs West Palm Beach

Cost of living comparison for Houston, Texas and West Palm Beach, Florida.

Bottom line

West Palm Beach is approximately 18% more expensive than Houston. A single person needs about $3,761/mo in West Palm Beach versus $3,185/mo in Houston.

Rent in Houston vs West Palm Beach

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Houston · Studio

$1,226

West Palm Beach · Studio

$1,639

West Palm Beach is $413 (34%) higher than Houston

Houston · 1 bedroom

$1,279

West Palm Beach · 1 bedroom

$1,830

West Palm Beach is $551 (43%) higher than Houston

Houston · 2 bedroom

$1,529

West Palm Beach · 2 bedroom

$2,187

West Palm Beach is $658 (43%) higher than Houston

Houston · 3 bedroom

$2,038

West Palm Beach · 3 bedroom

$2,856

West Palm Beach is $818 (40%) higher than Houston

Income & earnings in Houston vs West Palm Beach

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Houston · Household income

$73,104

West Palm Beach · Household income

$81,115

West Palm Beach is $8,011 (11%) higher than Houston

Houston · Individual earnings

$41,738

West Palm Beach · Individual earnings

$42,309

West Palm Beach is $571 (1%) higher than Houston

Houston · Per capita

$39,978

West Palm Beach · Per capita

$50,998

West Palm Beach is $11,020 (28%) higher than Houston

Home values in Houston vs West Palm Beach

Average values and property tax.

Houston · Average home value

$255,000

West Palm Beach · Average home value

$407,300

West Palm Beach is $152,300 (60%) higher than Houston

Houston · Annual property tax

$4,382

West Palm Beach · Annual property tax

$3,600

Houston is $782 (22%) higher than West Palm Beach

Energy in Houston vs West Palm Beach

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Houston · Monthly electricity

$167

West Palm Beach · Monthly electricity

$176

West Palm Beach is $9 (5%) higher than Houston

Houston · Monthly gas

$32

West Palm Beach · Monthly gas

$21

Houston is $11 (52%) higher than West Palm Beach

Houston · Annual total

$2,388

West Palm Beach · Annual total

$2,364

Houston is $24 (1%) higher than West Palm Beach

Healthcare in Houston vs West Palm Beach

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Houston · Individual premium

$480

West Palm Beach · Individual premium

$480

Houston and West Palm Beach are about the same

Houston · Family premium

$1,350

West Palm Beach · Family premium

$1,350

Houston and West Palm Beach are about the same

Houston · Uninsured rate

21.2%

West Palm Beach · Uninsured rate

13.2%

Houston is 8.0% (61%) higher than West Palm Beach

Taxes in Houston vs West Palm Beach

State income and sales tax.

Houston · State income tax

0.0%

West Palm Beach · State income tax

0.0%

Houston and West Palm Beach are about the same

Houston · State sales tax

6.3%

West Palm Beach · State sales tax

6.0%

Houston is 0.3% (4%) higher than West Palm Beach

Houston · Combined sales tax

8.2%

West Palm Beach · Combined sales tax

7.0%

Houston is 1.2% (17%) higher than West Palm Beach

Transportation in Houston vs West Palm Beach

Commute time and travel modes.

Houston · Average commute

29.0 min

West Palm Beach · Average commute

26.4 min

Houston is 2.6 min (10%) higher than West Palm Beach

Houston · Drive alone

72.4%

West Palm Beach · Drive alone

71.4%

Houston is 1.0% (1%) higher than West Palm Beach

Houston · Public transit

2.1%

West Palm Beach · Public transit

1.4%

Houston is 0.7% (50%) higher than West Palm Beach

Monthly cost estimates in Houston vs West Palm Beach

All categories combined.

Houston · Single person

$3,185

West Palm Beach · Single person

$3,761

West Palm Beach is $576 (18%) higher than Houston

Houston · Couple

$4,536

West Palm Beach · Couple

$5,353

West Palm Beach is $817 (18%) higher than Houston

Houston · Family

$7,187

West Palm Beach · Family

$8,180

West Palm Beach is $993 (14%) higher than Houston

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Houston and West Palm Beach.

Is Houston or West Palm Beach more expensive?

West Palm Beach is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,185/mo in Houston, Texas and $3,761/mo in West Palm Beach, Florida, a difference of about 18%.

What is the rent difference between Houston and West Palm Beach?

Average one-bedroom rent in Houston, Texas is $1,279/mo versus $1,830/mo in West Palm Beach, Florida. West Palm Beach is approximately $551 (43%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Houston or West Palm Beach?

West Palm Beach has the higher average household income. Houston households earn approximately $73,104 per year; West Palm Beach households earn approximately $81,115 per year.

More on Houston and West Palm Beach

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

Houston profile West Palm Beach 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.