New York City vs Houston
Cost of Living (2026)

Houston is 51% more affordable than New York City. Plus, Texas has no state income tax vs New York's 6.85%.

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At a glance

New York City, NY

COL index187
State income tax6.85%
Avg 1BR rent$3,400/mo
Median home price$750K
VS

Houston, TX

COL index91 ✓
State income taxNone ✓
Avg 1BR rent$1,250/mo ✓
Median home price$290K ✓

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryNew York City indexHouston indexDifference
Housing247118 ✓-129%
Groceries17587 ✓-88%
Transportation17388 ✓-85%
Healthcare18088 ✓-92%
Utilities16489 ✓-75%

Source: C2ER Cost of Living Index 2026. Index = 100 is US average. ✓ indicates lower cost. How we calculate this →

Salary equivalency: New York City → Houston

What salary in Houston gives you the same purchasing power as your New York City salary?

Salary in New York CityEquivalent in HoustonDifference
$60,000$26,000$-34,000
$80,000$35,000$-45,000
$100,000$44,000$-56,000
$130,000$57,000$-73,000
$150,000$66,000$-84,000
$200,000$88,000$-112,000

New York City vs Houston: Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)

When comparing the cost of living between New York City, NY and Houston, TX, Houston comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 91 versus 187 for New York City — a difference of approximately 51%.

State income tax impact

Texas has no state income tax, giving Houston workers an immediate 6.85% take-home pay advantage over New York City workers who pay New York's 6.85% state income tax.

Housing costs

The median home price in New York City is $750,000, compared to $290,000 in Houston. Average 1-bedroom rent is $3,400/month in New York City versus $1,250/month in Houston.

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