Cost of Living: Houston, TX vs Washington, DC (2026)

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Washington

District of Columbia
171

Houston is 49% cheaper than Washington.

$1,313/mo ↓ 31%
Median Rent
$1,900/mo ↑ 45%
$62,894/yr ↓ 41%
Median Income
$106,287/yr ↑ 69%
$253,400 ↓ 65%
Home Value
$724,600 ↑ 186%
$1,316/mo ↓ 37%
Owner Costs
$2,103/mo ↑ 60%
2,300,419
Population
672,079

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
10.75%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.56%

Affordability

25.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Washington, DC, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 171 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $587/month cheaper in Houston, saving renters about $7,044/year.

Median household income is $43,393/year higher in Washington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $724,600 in Washington.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Houston residents a significant tax advantage over District of Columbia's 10.75% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Washington — common questions

Is Houston or Washington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Houston is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 171 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Washington?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Washington it's $1,900/month — a difference of $587/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Washington?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $106,287 in Washington. Median household income is $43,393/year higher in Washington.
How do taxes compare between Texas and District of Columbia?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. District of Columbia has 10.75% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.56% property tax.
Should I move to Houston or Washington?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/mo, while Washington has a cost index of 171 with rent of $1,900/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Houston details → View Washington details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Houston and Washington

Houston vs. Chicago Houston vs. Phoenix Houston vs. Los Angeles Houston vs. Philadelphia Houston vs. New York Houston vs. San Antonio Washington vs. El Paso Washington vs. Boston Washington vs. Nashville Washington vs. Las Vegas Washington vs. Oklahoma City Washington vs. Portland