Cost of Living: Houston, TX vs Las Vegas, NV (2026)
Houston
Texas
88
VS
Las Vegas
Nevada
111
Houston is 23% cheaper than Las Vegas.
$1,313/mo
↓ 10%
Median Rent
$1,456/mo
↑ 11%
$62,894/yr
↓ 11%
Median Income
$70,723/yr
↑ 12%
$253,400
↓ 36%
Home Value
$395,300
↑ 56%
$1,316/mo
↓ 9%
Owner Costs
$1,452/mo
↑ 10%
2,300,419
Population
650,873
Tax Comparison
0%
Income Tax
0%
6.25%
Sales Tax
6.85%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.53%
Affordability
25.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.7%
rent-to-income
Detailed Comparison
When comparing Houston, TX and Las Vegas, NV, the overall cost of living indices are
88 and 111 respectively
(national median = 100). Rent is $143/month cheaper in Houston, saving renters about $1,716/year.
Median household income is $7,829/year higher in Las Vegas. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400
compared to $395,300 in Las Vegas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Houston vs Las Vegas — common questions
Is Houston or Las Vegas cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Houston is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 111 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Las Vegas?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Las Vegas it's $1,456/month — a difference of $143/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Las Vegas?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $70,723 in Las Vegas. Median household income is $7,829/year higher in Las Vegas.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Nevada?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Nevada has 0% income tax, 6.85% sales tax, and 0.53% property tax.
Should I move to Houston or Las Vegas?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/mo, while Las Vegas has a cost index of 111 with rent of $1,456/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.