Median rent is 5% lower in Houston ($1,361/mo vs $1,434/mo). Buying is cheaper in Houston, where the median home runs $277,800 versus $319,200. Households earn more in Midland ($89,585 vs $64,813 a year). Taken together, Midland is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 99.6 against 99.7 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Midland, TX.
City A
Houston, TX
City B
Midland, TX
How much would you need to earn in Midland, TX to maintain your standard of living from Houston, TX?
Equivalent salary in Midland, TX
$74,913
You could earn $87 less (0% 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
Houston
Texas
Midland
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 rents are similar in both cities: $1,361/mo in Houston and $1,434/mo in Midland. Median home values are within 13% of each other: $277,800 in Houston and $319,200 in Midland.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Houston
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Midland
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Houston (avg AQI 59.0) but not yet for Midland.
Pick Midland if you prioritize higher median household income ($89,585/yr).
Is Houston cheaper than Midland?
Midland is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 99.6 versus 99.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Midland.
How much is rent in Houston vs Midland?
Median rent is $1,361/mo in Houston, TX and $1,434/mo in Midland, TX. Houston, TX has the lower rent by about 5%.
Which has higher salaries — Houston or Midland?
Median household income is $64,813 in Houston, TX and $89,585 in Midland, TX. Midland, TX 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?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Houston or Midland?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Midland to match my Houston income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Houston, TX is equivalent to roughly $99,884 in Midland, 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
