Houston, TX vs. Phoenix, AZ: Cost of Living
Side-by-side comparison of Houston and Phoenix, built from Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 estimates.
The numbers
| Measure | Houston, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,328,253 | 1,642,323 | -29.5% |
| Median household income | $64,813 | $81,332 | +25.5% |
| Median gross rent (monthly) | $1,361 | $1,582 | +16.2% |
| Median home value | $277,800 | $420,700 | +51.4% |
Difference is Phoenix, AZ relative to Houston, TX.
Purchasing power
Using state-level price parities (BEA RPP 2024: Texas 97.1, Arizona 100.7, U.S. = 100), a $100,000 salary in Houston, TX buys about as much as $103,730 in Phoenix, AZ.
State-level price index; city prices within a state vary. See methodology.
Housing affordability
| Measure | Houston, TX | Phoenix, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| Salary needed for median rent (30% rule) | $54,440 | $63,280 |
| Rent burden at local median income | 25.2% | 23.3% |
| Est. affordable home price at median income | $236,434 | $296,694 |
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.