Austin vs Houston: Cost of Living
Last updated 2026-06-12 ยท MovePlan Editorial Team
Houston is about 11% cheaper overall. Here is how Austin and Houston compare on rent, groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare.
- Austin cost-of-living index: 108 vs 100
- Houston cost-of-living index: 96 vs 100
- Austin median 2BR rent: $2,400/mo
- Houston median 2BR rent: $1,800/mo
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