Side-by-side comparison

Houston vs Tucson

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

Bottom line

Houston is approximately 7% more expensive than Tucson. A single person needs about $3,185/mo in Houston versus $2,971/mo in Tucson.

Rent in Houston vs Tucson

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Houston · Studio

$1,226

Tucson · Studio

$941

Houston is $285 (30%) higher than Tucson

Houston · 1 bedroom

$1,279

Tucson · 1 bedroom

$1,052

Houston is $227 (22%) higher than Tucson

Houston · 2 bedroom

$1,529

Tucson · 2 bedroom

$1,373

Houston is $156 (11%) higher than Tucson

Houston · 3 bedroom

$2,038

Tucson · 3 bedroom

$1,924

Houston is $114 (6%) higher than Tucson

Income & earnings in Houston vs Tucson

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Houston · Household income

$73,104

Tucson · Household income

$67,929

Houston is $5,175 (8%) higher than Tucson

Houston · Individual earnings

$41,738

Tucson · Individual earnings

$37,642

Houston is $4,096 (11%) higher than Tucson

Houston · Per capita

$39,978

Tucson · Per capita

$38,564

Houston is $1,414 (4%) higher than Tucson

Home values in Houston vs Tucson

Average values and property tax.

Houston · Average home value

$255,000

Tucson · Average home value

$286,900

Tucson is $31,900 (13%) higher than Houston

Houston · Annual property tax

$4,382

Tucson · Annual property tax

$2,248

Houston is $2,134 (95%) higher than Tucson

Energy in Houston vs Tucson

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Houston · Monthly electricity

$167

Tucson · Monthly electricity

$150

Houston is $17 (11%) higher than Tucson

Houston · Monthly gas

$32

Tucson · Monthly gas

$39

Tucson is $7 (22%) higher than Houston

Houston · Annual total

$2,388

Tucson · Annual total

$2,268

Houston is $120 (5%) higher than Tucson

Healthcare in Houston vs Tucson

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Houston · Individual premium

$480

Tucson · Individual premium

$480

Houston and Tucson are about the same

Houston · Family premium

$1,350

Tucson · Family premium

$1,350

Houston and Tucson are about the same

Houston · Uninsured rate

21.2%

Tucson · Uninsured rate

8.9%

Houston is 12.3% (138%) higher than Tucson

Taxes in Houston vs Tucson

State income and sales tax.

Houston · State income tax

0.0%

Tucson · State income tax

2.5%

Tucson is 2.5% higher than Houston

Houston · State sales tax

6.3%

Tucson · State sales tax

5.6%

Houston is 0.7% (12%) higher than Tucson

Houston · Combined sales tax

8.2%

Tucson · Combined sales tax

8.4%

Tucson is 0.2% (2%) higher than Houston

Transportation in Houston vs Tucson

Commute time and travel modes.

Houston · Average commute

29.0 min

Tucson · Average commute

24.4 min

Houston is 4.6 min (19%) higher than Tucson

Houston · Drive alone

72.4%

Tucson · Drive alone

70.7%

Houston is 1.7% (2%) higher than Tucson

Houston · Public transit

2.1%

Tucson · Public transit

1.6%

Houston is 0.5% (31%) higher than Tucson

Monthly cost estimates in Houston vs Tucson

All categories combined.

Houston · Single person

$3,185

Tucson · Single person

$2,971

Houston is $214 (7%) higher than Tucson

Houston · Couple

$4,536

Tucson · Couple

$4,443

Houston is $93 (2%) higher than Tucson

Houston · Family

$7,187

Tucson · Family

$7,144

Houston is $43 (1%) higher than Tucson

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Houston and Tucson.

Is Houston or Tucson more expensive?

Houston is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,185/mo in Houston, Texas and $2,971/mo in Tucson, Arizona, a difference of about 7%.

What is the rent difference between Houston and Tucson?

Average one-bedroom rent in Houston, Texas is $1,279/mo versus $1,052/mo in Tucson, Arizona. Houston is approximately $227 (22%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Houston or Tucson?

Houston has the higher average household income. Houston households earn approximately $73,104 per year; Tucson households earn approximately $67,929 per year.

More on Houston and Tucson

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

Houston profile Tucson 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.