Median rent is 20% lower in Houston ($1,361/mo vs $1,701/mo). Buying is cheaper in Houston, where the median home runs $277,800 versus $420,400. Households earn more in Tampa ($75,475 vs $64,813 a year). Taken together, Houston is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 99.7 against 102.5 — about 3% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Tampa, FL.
Cost of living verdict
Houston is 3% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 99.7 in Houston vs 102.5 in Tampa (US national average = 100)
City A
Houston, TX
City B
Tampa, FL
How much would you need to earn in Tampa, FL to maintain your standard of living from Houston, TX?
Equivalent salary in Tampa, FL
$77,060
You'd need $2,060 more (3% higher).
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
Houston
Texas
Tampa
Florida
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 $1,701/mo in Tampa (20% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Tampa: the median home is $420,400 versus $277,800 in Houston — 34% 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.
Houston
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Tampa
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Houston has cleaner air on average: 59.0 AQI (Moderate) compared to 64.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Tampa if you prioritize higher median household income ($75,475/yr).
Pick Houston if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,361/mo median).
Is Houston cheaper than Tampa?
Houston is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 99.7 versus 102.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 3% lower in Houston.
How much is rent in Houston vs Tampa?
Median rent is $1,361/mo in Houston, TX and $1,701/mo in Tampa, FL. Houston, TX has the lower rent by about 20%.
Which has higher salaries — Houston or Tampa?
Median household income is $64,813 in Houston, TX and $75,475 in Tampa, FL. Tampa, FL 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?
Houston, TX has better air quality on average: 59.0 AQI versus 64.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Houston or Tampa?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Tampa to match my Houston income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Houston, TX is equivalent to roughly $102,746 in Tampa, FL (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
