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

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Lakewood

Colorado
141

Houston is 38% cheaper than Lakewood.

$1,313/mo ↓ 25%
Median Rent
$1,746/mo ↑ 33%
$62,894/yr ↓ 27%
Median Income
$85,789/yr ↑ 36%
$253,400 ↓ 54%
Home Value
$548,200 ↑ 116%
$1,316/mo ↓ 24%
Owner Costs
$1,729/mo ↑ 31%
2,300,419
Population
156,309

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
24.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Lakewood, CO, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 141 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $433/month cheaper in Houston, saving renters about $5,196/year.

Median household income is $22,895/year higher in Lakewood. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $548,200 in Lakewood.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Lakewood — common questions

Is Houston or Lakewood cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Houston is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 141 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Lakewood?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Lakewood it's $1,746/month — a difference of $433/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Lakewood?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $85,789 in Lakewood. Median household income is $22,895/year higher in Lakewood.
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 Lakewood?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/mo, while Lakewood has a cost index of 141 with rent of $1,746/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Houston details → View Lakewood details →

More Comparisons

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