Cost of Living: Houston, TX vs Arvada, CO (2026)

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Arvada

Colorado
152

Houston is 42% cheaper than Arvada.

$1,313/mo ↓ 27%
Median Rent
$1,802/mo ↑ 37%
$62,894/yr ↓ 45%
Median Income
$113,396/yr ↑ 80%
$253,400 ↓ 58%
Home Value
$600,800 ↑ 137%
$1,316/mo ↓ 32%
Owner Costs
$1,948/mo ↑ 48%
2,300,419
Population
122,835

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.4%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
2.9%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.51%

Affordability

25.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Arvada, CO, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 152 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $489/month cheaper in Houston, saving renters about $5,868/year.

Median household income is $50,502/year higher in Arvada. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $600,800 in Arvada.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Houston residents a significant tax advantage over Colorado's 4.4% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Arvada — common questions

Is Houston or Arvada cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Houston is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 152 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Arvada?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Arvada it's $1,802/month — a difference of $489/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Arvada?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $113,396 in Arvada. Median household income is $50,502/year higher in Arvada.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Colorado?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Colorado has 4.4% income tax, 2.9% sales tax, and 0.51% property tax.
Should I move to Houston or Arvada?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/mo, while Arvada has a cost index of 152 with rent of $1,802/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Houston details → View Arvada details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Houston and Arvada

Houston vs. Chicago Houston vs. Phoenix Houston vs. Los Angeles Houston vs. Philadelphia Houston vs. New York Houston vs. San Antonio Arvada vs. Concord Arvada vs. Clovis Arvada vs. Round Rock Arvada vs. College Station Arvada vs. Vallejo Arvada vs. Independence