Cost of Living: Houston, TX vs Gainesville, FL (2026)

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Gainesville

Florida
81

Houston is 9% more expensive than Gainesville.

$1,313/mo ↑ 8%
Median Rent
$1,214/mo ↓ 8%
$62,894/yr ↑ 38%
Median Income
$45,611/yr ↓ 27%
$253,400 ↑ 8%
Home Value
$235,000 ↓ 7%
$1,316/mo ↑ 13%
Owner Costs
$1,167/mo ↓ 11%
2,300,419
Population
143,611

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
0%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

25.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
31.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Gainesville, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 81 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $99/month cheaper in Gainesville, saving renters about $1,188/year.

Median household income is $17,283/year higher in Houston. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $235,000 in Gainesville.

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Gainesville — common questions

Is Houston or Gainesville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Gainesville is cheaper to live in with an index of 81 compared to 88 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Gainesville?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Gainesville it's $1,214/month — a difference of $99/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Gainesville?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $45,611 in Gainesville. Median household income is $17,283/year higher in Houston.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Florida?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Houston or Gainesville?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/mo, while Gainesville has a cost index of 81 with rent of $1,214/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Houston details → View Gainesville details →

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