Side-by-side comparison

Houston vs Salt Lake City

Cost of living comparison for Houston, Texas and Salt Lake City, Utah.

Bottom line

Salt Lake City is approximately 10% more expensive than Houston. A single person needs about $3,494/mo in Salt Lake City versus $3,185/mo in Houston.

Rent in Houston vs Salt Lake City

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Houston · Studio

$1,226

Salt Lake City · Studio

$1,243

Salt Lake City is $17 (1%) higher than Houston

Houston · 1 bedroom

$1,279

Salt Lake City · 1 bedroom

$1,453

Salt Lake City is $174 (14%) higher than Houston

Houston · 2 bedroom

$1,529

Salt Lake City · 2 bedroom

$1,748

Salt Lake City is $219 (14%) higher than Houston

Houston · 3 bedroom

$2,038

Salt Lake City · 3 bedroom

$2,348

Salt Lake City is $310 (15%) higher than Houston

Income & earnings in Houston vs Salt Lake City

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Houston · Household income

$73,104

Salt Lake City · Household income

$94,658

Salt Lake City is $21,554 (29%) higher than Houston

Houston · Individual earnings

$41,738

Salt Lake City · Individual earnings

$46,252

Salt Lake City is $4,514 (11%) higher than Houston

Houston · Per capita

$39,978

Salt Lake City · Per capita

$43,393

Salt Lake City is $3,415 (9%) higher than Houston

Home values in Houston vs Salt Lake City

Average values and property tax.

Houston · Average home value

$255,000

Salt Lake City · Average home value

$484,500

Salt Lake City is $229,500 (90%) higher than Houston

Houston · Annual property tax

$4,382

Salt Lake City · Annual property tax

$2,726

Houston is $1,656 (61%) higher than Salt Lake City

Energy in Houston vs Salt Lake City

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Houston · Monthly electricity

$167

Salt Lake City · Monthly electricity

$90

Houston is $77 (86%) higher than Salt Lake City

Houston · Monthly gas

$32

Salt Lake City · Monthly gas

$50

Salt Lake City is $18 (56%) higher than Houston

Houston · Annual total

$2,388

Salt Lake City · Annual total

$1,680

Houston is $708 (42%) higher than Salt Lake City

Healthcare in Houston vs Salt Lake City

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Houston · Individual premium

$480

Salt Lake City · Individual premium

$480

Houston and Salt Lake City are about the same

Houston · Family premium

$1,350

Salt Lake City · Family premium

$1,350

Houston and Salt Lake City are about the same

Houston · Uninsured rate

21.2%

Salt Lake City · Uninsured rate

9.6%

Houston is 11.6% (121%) higher than Salt Lake City

Taxes in Houston vs Salt Lake City

State income and sales tax.

Houston · State income tax

0.0%

Salt Lake City · State income tax

4.7%

Salt Lake City is 4.7% higher than Houston

Houston · State sales tax

6.3%

Salt Lake City · State sales tax

6.1%

Houston is 0.2% (2%) higher than Salt Lake City

Houston · Combined sales tax

8.2%

Salt Lake City · Combined sales tax

7.2%

Houston is 1.0% (14%) higher than Salt Lake City

Transportation in Houston vs Salt Lake City

Commute time and travel modes.

Houston · Average commute

29.0 min

Salt Lake City · Average commute

22.4 min

Houston is 6.6 min (29%) higher than Salt Lake City

Houston · Drive alone

72.4%

Salt Lake City · Drive alone

66.8%

Houston is 5.6% (8%) higher than Salt Lake City

Houston · Public transit

2.1%

Salt Lake City · Public transit

2.3%

Salt Lake City is 0.2% (10%) higher than Houston

Monthly cost estimates in Houston vs Salt Lake City

All categories combined.

Houston · Single person

$3,185

Salt Lake City · Single person

$3,494

Salt Lake City is $309 (10%) higher than Houston

Houston · Couple

$4,536

Salt Lake City · Couple

$5,349

Salt Lake City is $813 (18%) higher than Houston

Houston · Family

$7,187

Salt Lake City · Family

$8,084

Salt Lake City is $897 (12%) higher than Houston

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Houston and Salt Lake City.

Is Houston or Salt Lake City more expensive?

Salt Lake City is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,185/mo in Houston, Texas and $3,494/mo in Salt Lake City, Utah, a difference of about 10%.

What is the rent difference between Houston and Salt Lake City?

Average one-bedroom rent in Houston, Texas is $1,279/mo versus $1,453/mo in Salt Lake City, Utah. Salt Lake City is approximately $174 (14%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Houston or Salt Lake City?

Salt Lake City has the higher average household income. Houston households earn approximately $73,104 per year; Salt Lake City households earn approximately $94,658 per year.

More on Houston and Salt Lake City

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

Houston profile Salt Lake City 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.