Cost of Living: Houston, TX vs Tallahassee, FL (2026)

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Tallahassee

Florida
87

Houston and Tallahassee have a similar cost of living.

$1,313/mo ↑ 6%
Median Rent
$1,238/mo ↓ 6%
$62,894/yr ↑ 12%
Median Income
$55,931/yr ↓ 11%
$253,400 ↓ 8%
Home Value
$276,000 ↑ 9%
$1,316/mo ↑ 6%
Owner Costs
$1,237/mo ↓ 6%
2,300,419
Population
199,696

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
0%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

25.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Tallahassee, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 87 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $75/month cheaper in Tallahassee, saving renters about $900/year.

Median household income is $6,963/year higher in Houston. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $276,000 in Tallahassee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Tallahassee — common questions

Is Houston or Tallahassee cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Tallahassee is cheaper to live in with an index of 87 compared to 88 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Tallahassee?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Tallahassee it's $1,238/month — a difference of $75/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Tallahassee?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $55,931 in Tallahassee. Median household income is $6,963/year higher in Houston.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Florida?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Houston or Tallahassee?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/mo, while Tallahassee has a cost index of 87 with rent of $1,238/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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