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

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Peoria

Arizona
125

Houston is 30% cheaper than Peoria.

$1,313/mo ↓ 25%
Median Rent
$1,743/mo ↑ 33%
$62,894/yr ↓ 33%
Median Income
$93,403/yr ↑ 49%
$253,400 ↓ 41%
Home Value
$429,400 ↑ 69%
$1,316/mo ↓ 17%
Owner Costs
$1,589/mo ↑ 21%
2,300,419
Population
194,338

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
22.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Peoria, AZ, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 125 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $430/month cheaper in Houston, saving renters about $5,160/year.

Median household income is $30,509/year higher in Peoria. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $429,400 in Peoria.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Peoria — common questions

Is Houston or Peoria cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Houston is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 125 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Peoria?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Peoria it's $1,743/month — a difference of $430/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Peoria?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $93,403 in Peoria. Median household income is $30,509/year higher in Peoria.
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 Peoria?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/mo, while Peoria has a cost index of 125 with rent of $1,743/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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