Cost of Living Comparison
HomeCitiesAffordableBest CitiesGet Help
Compare Cities
HomeCitiesAffordableBest CitiesGet HelpCompare Cities
Get Assistance
Estates Logo

The most comprehensive cost of living comparison tool for US cities. Make informed relocation decisions with real data from trusted sources.

Explore

  • Browse Cities
  • Affordable Cities
  • Best Cities
  • Compare Cities

Data

  • San Francisco
  • New York
  • Austin
  • Denver

Top Routes

  • NYC → Austin
  • LA → Phoenix
  • SF → Denver
  • Chicago → Dallas

© 2025 Estates. All rights reserved.

Privacy PolicyTerms of ServiceSitemap

Data: Zillow • Census • FBI • NOAA • BLS

  1. Home
  2. /
  3. Compare

AustinvsHouston

Moving from Austin to Houston will save you approximately $1,466 on median home prices (0.4% less). Monthly rent is $6 cheaper in Houston. Note that median income is 0.0% lower in Houston.

Housing
0.4% cheaper
Rent
0.4% cheaper
View AustinView Houston
Houston

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Austin, TX

Median Home Price$376,621
Monthly Rent$1,569
Median Income$66,050
Population931,840
Destination

Houston, TX

Median Home Price
$375,155-0.4%
Monthly Rent
$1,563-0.4%
Median Income
$66,050+0.0%
Population2,298,628
Housing

Rent History & Trends

Understanding how rental prices have changed over time helps predict future affordability and make informed decisions about your move.

Austin

2015$1,204
2020$1,353
2025$1,569

Houston

2015$1,208
2020$1,301
2025$1,563

Annual Cost of Living

A comprehensive breakdown of annual living expenses helps you budget effectively for your new life in Houston.

Austin

Housing$8,287
Food$5,434
Transport$13,321
Healthcare$10,777
Total$43,531

Houston

Housing$8,287
Food$5,434
Transport$13,321
Healthcare$10,777
Total$43,458
Costs

Key Insights

0.4%
Housing Cost
cheaper in Houston
$6
Monthly Rent Difference
savings per month
0.0%
Income Level
lower median income

Demographics

Austin

Population931,840
Median Age32.7 yrs
Violent Crime Rate453 per 100k
Property Crime Rate2172 per 100k

Houston

Population2,298,628
Median Age32.6 yrs
Violent Crime Rate453 per 100k
Property Crime Rate2172 per 100k

Safety & Crime Statistics

Austin

453
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
2172
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

Houston

453
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
2172
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

Ready to explore more?

Compare other cities or explore detailed information about each location.

Explore AustinExplore Houston

Need Help Settling In?

Moving to a new city can be overwhelming. Our relocation experts are here to help you find the perfect neighborhood, schools, and local services.

No commitment • Response within 24 hours

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in Houston or Austin?

Houston is 0.4% cheaper for housing than Austin. The median home price in Houston is $375,155 compared to $376,621 in Austin, a savings of $1,466.

What is the rent difference between Austin and Houston?

Monthly rent in Houston averages $1,563, while Austin averages $1,569. That's a savings of $6 per month, or $73 annually.

How do incomes compare between Austin and Houston?

The median household income in Houston is $66,050, which is 0.0% lower than Austin's median of $66,050.

Which city is safer: Austin or Houston?

Austin has a violent crime rate of 453 per 100k residents, while Houston has 453 per 100k. Austin is statistically safer.

What is Estates?

Estates is a comprehensive cost of living comparison platform covering over 3,900 US cities. We help you compare housing prices, rent, income levels, crime rates, demographics, and climate data to make informed relocation decisions. Our data comes from trusted sources including Zillow, the U.S. Census Bureau, FBI, and NOAA.