Cost of Living: Houston, TX vs Richmond, VA (2026)

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Richmond

Virginia
98

Houston is 10% cheaper than Richmond.

$1,313/mo ≈ Same
Median Rent
$1,314/mo ≈ Same
$62,894/yr ≈ Same
Median Income
$62,671/yr ≈ Same
$253,400 ↓ 23%
Home Value
$328,100 ↑ 29%
$1,316/mo ↓ 4%
Owner Costs
$1,374/mo ↑ 4%
2,300,419
Population
227,595

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.75%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
5.3%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

25.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Richmond, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 98 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is comparable in both cities, with less than $50/month separating them.

Median household income is $223/year higher in Houston. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $328,100 in Richmond.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Houston residents a significant tax advantage over Virginia's 5.75% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Richmond — common questions

Is Houston or Richmond cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Houston is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 98 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Richmond?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Richmond it's $1,314/month — a difference of $1/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Richmond?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $62,671 in Richmond. Median household income is $223/year higher in Houston.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Virginia?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Houston or Richmond?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/mo, while Richmond has a cost index of 98 with rent of $1,314/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Houston details → View Richmond details →

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