Cost of Living: Houston, TX vs Meridian, ID (2026)

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Meridian

Idaho
131

Houston is 33% cheaper than Meridian.

$1,313/mo ↓ 23%
Median Rent
$1,714/mo ↑ 31%
$62,894/yr ↓ 36%
Median Income
$98,686/yr ↑ 57%
$253,400 ↓ 48%
Home Value
$485,000 ↑ 91%
$1,316/mo ↓ 18%
Owner Costs
$1,607/mo ↑ 22%
2,300,419
Population
124,865

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.8%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.63%

Affordability

25.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Meridian, ID, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 131 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $401/month cheaper in Houston, saving renters about $4,812/year.

Median household income is $35,792/year higher in Meridian. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $485,000 in Meridian.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Houston residents a significant tax advantage over Idaho's 5.8% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Meridian — common questions

Is Houston or Meridian cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Houston is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 131 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Meridian?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Meridian it's $1,714/month — a difference of $401/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Meridian?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $98,686 in Meridian. Median household income is $35,792/year higher in Meridian.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Idaho?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Idaho has 5.8% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.63% property tax.
Should I move to Houston or Meridian?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/mo, while Meridian has a cost index of 131 with rent of $1,714/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Houston details → View Meridian details →

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