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.
Cost of living verdict
Houston is 1% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 99.7 in Houston vs 100.5 in Atlanta (US national 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 metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
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: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, 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.
Metric
Atlanta
Houston
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · 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).
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.
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%.
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.
Atlanta, GA has better air quality on average: 52.0 AQI versus 59.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
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: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
