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

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Scottsdale

Arizona
165

Houston is 47% cheaper than Scottsdale.

$1,313/mo ↓ 31%
Median Rent
$1,910/mo ↑ 45%
$62,894/yr ↓ 41%
Median Income
$107,372/yr ↑ 71%
$253,400 ↓ 64%
Home Value
$709,900 ↑ 180%
$1,316/mo ↓ 28%
Owner Costs
$1,824/mo ↑ 39%
2,300,419
Population
242,169

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
21.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Scottsdale, AZ, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 165 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $597/month cheaper in Houston, saving renters about $7,164/year.

Median household income is $44,478/year higher in Scottsdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $709,900 in Scottsdale.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Scottsdale — common questions

Is Houston or Scottsdale cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Houston is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 165 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Scottsdale?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Scottsdale it's $1,910/month — a difference of $597/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Scottsdale?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $107,372 in Scottsdale. Median household income is $44,478/year higher in Scottsdale.
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 Scottsdale?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/mo, while Scottsdale has a cost index of 165 with rent of $1,910/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Houston details → View Scottsdale details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Houston and Scottsdale

Houston vs. Chicago Houston vs. Phoenix Houston vs. Los Angeles Houston vs. Philadelphia Houston vs. New York Houston vs. San Antonio Scottsdale vs. Garland Scottsdale vs. Boise Scottsdale vs. Glendale Scottsdale vs. Arlington Scottsdale vs. Winston-Salem Scottsdale vs. Norfolk