Cost of Living: Houston, TX vs Glendale, AZ (2026)

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Glendale

Arizona
102

Houston is 14% cheaper than Glendale.

$1,313/mo ↓ 6%
Median Rent
$1,397/mo ↑ 6%
$62,894/yr ↓ 10%
Median Income
$70,139/yr ↑ 12%
$253,400 ↓ 27%
Home Value
$347,000 ↑ 37%
$1,316/mo ↓ 3%
Owner Costs
$1,356/mo ↑ 3%
2,300,419
Population
250,193

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
2.5%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
5.6%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.62%

Affordability

25.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Glendale, AZ, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 102 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $84/month cheaper in Houston, saving renters about $1,008/year.

Median household income is $7,245/year higher in Glendale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $347,000 in Glendale.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Houston residents a significant tax advantage over Arizona's 2.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Glendale — common questions

Is Houston or Glendale cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Houston is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 102 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Glendale?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Glendale it's $1,397/month — a difference of $84/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Glendale?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $70,139 in Glendale. Median household income is $7,245/year higher in Glendale.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Arizona?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Arizona has 2.5% income tax, 5.6% sales tax, and 0.62% property tax.
Should I move to Houston or Glendale?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/mo, while Glendale has a cost index of 102 with rent of $1,397/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Houston details → View Glendale details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Houston and Glendale

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