Side-by-side comparison

Houston vs Austin

Cost of living comparison for Houston, Texas and Austin, Texas.

Bottom line

Austin is approximately 16% more expensive than Houston. A single person needs about $3,706/mo in Austin versus $3,185/mo in Houston.

Rent in Houston vs Austin

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Houston · Studio

$1,226

Austin · Studio

$1,549

Austin is $323 (26%) higher than Houston

Houston · 1 bedroom

$1,279

Austin · 1 bedroom

$1,650

Austin is $371 (29%) higher than Houston

Houston · 2 bedroom

$1,529

Austin · 2 bedroom

$1,949

Austin is $420 (27%) higher than Houston

Houston · 3 bedroom

$2,038

Austin · 3 bedroom

$2,484

Austin is $446 (22%) higher than Houston

Income & earnings in Houston vs Austin

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Houston · Household income

$73,104

Austin · Household income

$97,169

Austin is $24,065 (33%) higher than Houston

Houston · Individual earnings

$41,738

Austin · Individual earnings

$55,186

Austin is $13,448 (32%) higher than Houston

Houston · Per capita

$39,978

Austin · Per capita

$59,289

Austin is $19,311 (48%) higher than Houston

Home values in Houston vs Austin

Average values and property tax.

Houston · Average home value

$255,000

Austin · Average home value

$487,600

Austin is $232,600 (91%) higher than Houston

Houston · Annual property tax

$4,382

Austin · Annual property tax

$7,487

Austin is $3,105 (71%) higher than Houston

Energy in Houston vs Austin

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Houston · Monthly electricity

$167

Austin · Monthly electricity

$167

Houston and Austin are about the same

Houston · Monthly gas

$32

Austin · Monthly gas

$32

Houston and Austin are about the same

Houston · Annual total

$2,388

Austin · Annual total

$2,388

Houston and Austin are about the same

Healthcare in Houston vs Austin

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Houston · Individual premium

$480

Austin · Individual premium

$480

Houston and Austin are about the same

Houston · Family premium

$1,350

Austin · Family premium

$1,350

Houston and Austin are about the same

Houston · Uninsured rate

21.2%

Austin · Uninsured rate

12.2%

Houston is 9.0% (74%) higher than Austin

Taxes in Houston vs Austin

State income and sales tax.

Houston · State income tax

0.0%

Austin · State income tax

0.0%

Houston and Austin are about the same

Houston · State sales tax

6.3%

Austin · State sales tax

6.3%

Houston and Austin are about the same

Houston · Combined sales tax

8.2%

Austin · Combined sales tax

8.2%

Houston and Austin are about the same

Transportation in Houston vs Austin

Commute time and travel modes.

Houston · Average commute

29.0 min

Austin · Average commute

25.4 min

Houston is 3.6 min (14%) higher than Austin

Houston · Drive alone

72.4%

Austin · Drive alone

59.7%

Houston is 12.7% (21%) higher than Austin

Houston · Public transit

2.1%

Austin · Public transit

1.7%

Houston is 0.4% (24%) higher than Austin

Monthly cost estimates in Houston vs Austin

All categories combined.

Houston · Single person

$3,185

Austin · Single person

$3,706

Austin is $521 (16%) higher than Houston

Houston · Couple

$4,536

Austin · Couple

$5,280

Austin is $744 (16%) higher than Houston

Houston · Family

$7,187

Austin · Family

$7,957

Austin is $770 (11%) higher than Houston

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Houston and Austin.

Is Houston or Austin more expensive?

Austin is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,185/mo in Houston, Texas and $3,706/mo in Austin, Texas, a difference of about 16%.

What is the rent difference between Houston and Austin?

Average one-bedroom rent in Houston, Texas is $1,279/mo versus $1,650/mo in Austin, Texas. Austin is approximately $371 (29%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Houston or Austin?

Austin has the higher average household income. Houston households earn approximately $73,104 per year; Austin households earn approximately $97,169 per year.

More on Houston and Austin

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

Houston profile Austin 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.