Median rent is 20% lower in Houston ($1,361/mo vs $1,711/mo). Buying is cheaper in Houston, where the median home runs $277,800 versus $439,600. Households earn more in Atlanta ($85,652 vs $64,813 a year). Taken together, Houston is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 99.7 against 100.5 — about 1% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Atlanta, GA.
Quick verdict
Houston is 1% cheaper overall
Cost index: 99.7 in Houston vs 100.5 in Atlanta (US average = 100)
City A
Atlanta, GA
City B
Houston, TX
How much would you need to earn in Houston, TX to maintain your standard of living from Atlanta, GA?
Equivalent salary in Houston, TX
$74,442
You could earn $558 less (1% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Atlanta
Georgia
Houston
Texas
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Houston at $1,361/mo compared to $1,711/mo in Atlanta (20% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Atlanta: the median home is $439,600 versus $277,800 in Houston — 37% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Atlanta
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Houston
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Atlanta has cleaner air on average: 52.0 AQI (Moderate) compared to 59.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Atlanta if you prioritize higher median household income ($85,652/yr).
Pick Houston if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,361/mo median).
Pick Atlanta if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 52.0).
Is Atlanta cheaper than Houston?
Houston is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 99.7 versus 100.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 1% lower in Houston.
How much is rent in Atlanta vs Houston?
Median rent is $1,711/mo in Atlanta, GA and $1,361/mo in Houston, TX. Houston, TX has the lower rent by about 20%.
Which has higher salaries — Atlanta or Houston?
Median household income is $85,652 in Atlanta, GA and $64,813 in Houston, TX. Atlanta, GA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Atlanta, GA has better air quality on average: 52.0 AQI versus 59.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Atlanta or Houston?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Houston to match my Atlanta income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Atlanta, GA is equivalent to roughly $99,257 in Houston, TX (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
