Cost of Living: Houston, TX vs West Valley City, UT (2026)

Houston

Texas
88
VS

West Valley City

Utah
109

Houston is 19% cheaper than West Valley City.

$1,313/mo ↓ 9%
Median Rent
$1,445/mo ↑ 10%
$62,894/yr ↓ 29%
Median Income
$88,604/yr ↑ 41%
$253,400 ↓ 33%
Home Value
$377,300 ↑ 49%
$1,316/mo ↓ 11%
Owner Costs
$1,473/mo ↑ 12%
2,300,419
Population
137,955

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.65%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.1%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.58%

Affordability

25.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and West Valley City, UT, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 109 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $132/month cheaper in Houston, saving renters about $1,584/year.

Median household income is $25,710/year higher in West Valley City. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $377,300 in West Valley City.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Houston residents a significant tax advantage over Utah's 4.65% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs West Valley City — common questions

Is Houston or West Valley City cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Houston is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 109 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and West Valley City?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in West Valley City it's $1,445/month — a difference of $132/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or West Valley City?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $88,604 in West Valley City. Median household income is $25,710/year higher in West Valley City.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Utah?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Utah has 4.65% income tax, 6.1% sales tax, and 0.58% property tax.
Should I move to Houston or West Valley City?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/mo, while West Valley City has a cost index of 109 with rent of $1,445/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Houston details → View West Valley City details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Houston and West Valley City

Houston vs. Chicago Houston vs. Phoenix Houston vs. Los Angeles Houston vs. Philadelphia Houston vs. New York Houston vs. San Antonio West Valley City vs. Columbia West Valley City vs. Hampton West Valley City vs. Warren West Valley City vs. Cedar Rapids West Valley City vs. Orange West Valley City vs. Dayton