Houston, TX vs. Memphis, TN: Cost of Living
Side-by-side comparison of Houston and Memphis, built from Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 estimates.
The numbers
| Measure | Houston, TX | Memphis, TN | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,328,253 | 618,980 | -73.4% |
| Median household income | $64,813 | $51,736 | -20.2% |
| Median gross rent (monthly) | $1,361 | $1,181 | -13.2% |
| Median home value | $277,800 | $169,000 | -39.2% |
Difference is Memphis, TN relative to Houston, TX.
Purchasing power
Using state-level price parities (BEA RPP 2024: Texas 97.1, Tennessee 91.9, U.S. = 100), a $100,000 salary in Houston, TX buys about as much as $94,656 in Memphis, TN.
State-level price index; city prices within a state vary. See methodology.
Housing affordability
| Measure | Houston, TX | Memphis, TN |
|---|---|---|
| Salary needed for median rent (30% rule) | $54,440 | $47,240 |
| Rent burden at local median income | 25.2% | 27.4% |
| Est. affordable home price at median income | $236,434 | $188,730 |
Home price assumes 6.67% 30-yr rate (FRED, 2026-08), 20% down, 28% front-end DTI, 1.5%/yr taxes+insurance. Not financial advice.
Full city profiles
About this data
- American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates — data period 2020-2024, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Regional Price Parities — data period 2024, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Federal Reserve Economic Data — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 13, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.