Seattle, WA vs Houston, TX: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Houston, TX is 11.3% less expensive than Seattle, WA (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Seattle works out to about $66,600 in Houston, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 30.9% less in Houston. Goods are 3.2% lower and other services 10.5% lower.
- Typical asking rent is $1,638 a month in Houston and $2,250 in Seattle, $7,344 a year less in Houston (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $303,000 in Houston and $720,000 in Seattle.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (9.8%).
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Housing drives the gap: 30.9% lower in Houston than in Seattle
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Seattle, WA
- Houston, TX
All items Seattle, WA: 111.1 Houston, TX: 98.6
Goods Seattle, WA: 104.0 Houston, TX: 100.6
Housing (rents) Seattle, WA: 151.3 Houston, TX: 104.5
Utilities Seattle, WA: 92.8 Houston, TX: 95.3
Other services Seattle, WA: 106.8 Houston, TX: 95.6
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Seattle, WA | Houston, TX | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 111.1 | 98.6 |
| Goods | 104.0 | 100.6 |
| Housing (rents) | 151.3 | 104.5 |
| Utilities | 92.8 | 95.3 |
| Other services | 106.8 | 95.6 |
| Category | Seattle | Houston | Houston vs Seattle |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 111.1 | 98.6 | −11.3% |
| Goods | 104.0 | 100.6 | −3.2% |
| Housing (rents) | 151.3 | 104.5 | −30.9% |
| Utilities | 92.8 | 95.3 | +2.7% |
| Other services | 106.8 | 95.6 | −10.5% |
| Typical asking rent | $2,250 | $1,638 | −27.2% |
| Typical home value | $720,000 | $303,000 | −57.9% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Seattle | $75,000 | $66,600 | −11.3% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Seattle and Houston has widened since 2008: 9.7 points then, 12.5 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Seattle, WA
- Houston, TX
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Seattle, WA | Houston, TX | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 109.1 | 99.4 |
| 2009 | 108.5 | 100.6 |
| 2010 | 106.4 | 101.0 |
| 2011 | 106.1 | 98.7 |
| 2012 | 105.3 | 100.1 |
| 2013 | 105.2 | 101.1 |
| 2014 | 107.5 | 102.2 |
| 2015 | 107.9 | 103.1 |
| 2016 | 110.2 | 102.4 |
| 2017 | 112.1 | 100.0 |
| 2018 | 110.5 | 101.9 |
| 2019 | 112.5 | 101.4 |
| 2020 | 113.0 | 100.0 |
| 2021 | 114.5 | 99.7 |
| 2022 | 114.0 | 98.8 |
| 2023 | 112.7 | 99.7 |
| 2024 | 111.1 | 98.6 |
Goods
- Seattle, WA
- Houston, TX
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Seattle, WA | Houston, TX | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 108.3 | 95.9 |
| 2009 | 106.6 | 98.0 |
| 2010 | 105.3 | 99.6 |
| 2011 | 106.1 | 97.6 |
| 2012 | 101.1 | 99.0 |
| 2013 | 102.8 | 97.7 |
| 2014 | 104.6 | 98.9 |
| 2015 | 105.8 | 98.9 |
| 2016 | 104.4 | 97.7 |
| 2017 | 108.4 | 96.3 |
| 2018 | 105.2 | 99.0 |
| 2019 | 107.5 | 98.3 |
| 2020 | 111.9 | 96.7 |
| 2021 | 115.5 | 97.7 |
| 2022 | 116.4 | 98.1 |
| 2023 | 108.1 | 101.7 |
| 2024 | 104.0 | 100.6 |
Housing (rents)
- Seattle, WA
- Houston, TX
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Seattle, WA | Houston, TX | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 139.2 | 99.9 |
| 2009 | 137.6 | 101.9 |
| 2010 | 136.3 | 103.5 |
| 2011 | 136.6 | 99.4 |
| 2012 | 134.2 | 103.4 |
| 2013 | 135.1 | 104.1 |
| 2014 | 140.4 | 107.6 |
| 2015 | 144.0 | 108.6 |
| 2016 | 149.2 | 110.0 |
| 2017 | 156.7 | 108.5 |
| 2018 | 159.2 | 108.0 |
| 2019 | 161.6 | 107.4 |
| 2020 | 156.6 | 107.5 |
| 2021 | 153.0 | 105.6 |
| 2022 | 154.7 | 107.8 |
| 2023 | 151.6 | 106.3 |
| 2024 | 151.3 | 104.5 |
Utilities
- Seattle, WA
- Houston, TX
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Seattle, WA | Houston, TX | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 85.1 | 101.4 |
| 2009 | 87.0 | 95.3 |
| 2010 | 87.4 | 97.6 |
| 2011 | 90.1 | 97.4 |
| 2012 | 93.9 | 95.1 |
| 2013 | 99.8 | 95.8 |
| 2014 | 97.1 | 94.5 |
| 2015 | 103.7 | 83.8 |
| 2016 | 99.4 | 92.5 |
| 2017 | 100.0 | 85.7 |
| 2018 | 102.8 | 83.1 |
| 2019 | 106.3 | 91.2 |
| 2020 | 105.6 | 86.4 |
| 2021 | 94.3 | 89.1 |
| 2022 | 87.0 | 92.3 |
| 2023 | 85.3 | 94.9 |
| 2024 | 92.8 | 95.3 |
Other services
- Seattle, WA
- Houston, TX
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Seattle, WA | Houston, TX | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 103.6 | 102.1 |
| 2009 | 103.3 | 102.4 |
| 2010 | 100.7 | 101.4 |
| 2011 | 99.6 | 99.3 |
| 2012 | 101.7 | 100.2 |
| 2013 | 100.0 | 103.3 |
| 2014 | 102.2 | 103.7 |
| 2015 | 101.4 | 106.0 |
| 2016 | 105.2 | 104.3 |
| 2017 | 105.0 | 101.2 |
| 2018 | 103.4 | 103.4 |
| 2019 | 104.9 | 102.5 |
| 2020 | 103.1 | 100.9 |
| 2021 | 105.8 | 100.2 |
| 2022 | 104.9 | 97.0 |
| 2023 | 107.6 | 96.6 |
| 2024 | 106.8 | 95.6 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,638 in Houston vs $2,250 in Seattle
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Seattle, WA
- Houston, TX
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Seattle, WA | Houston, TX | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $1,347 | $1,210 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $1,384 | $1,239 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $1,415 | $1,239 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $1,407 | $1,229 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $1,443 | $1,237 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $1,503 | $1,247 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $1,519 | $1,237 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $1,507 | $1,226 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $1,561 | $1,242 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $1,618 | $1,257 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $1,632 | $1,259 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $1,604 | $1,282 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $1,633 | $1,294 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $1,681 | $1,308 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $1,681 | $1,303 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $1,664 | $1,305 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,696 | $1,311 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,742 | $1,330 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,753 | $1,330 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,743 | $1,331 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,785 | $1,345 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,775 | $1,334 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,761 | $1,343 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,684 | $1,346 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,722 | $1,365 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,830 | $1,424 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,936 | $1,483 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,933 | $1,497 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,979 | $1,523 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $2,065 | $1,564 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $2,089 | $1,577 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $2,020 | $1,561 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $2,046 | $1,583 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $2,084 | $1,605 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $2,098 | $1,608 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $2,061 | $1,594 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $2,101 | $1,604 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $2,153 | $1,627 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $2,159 | $1,635 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $2,128 | $1,623 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $2,165 | $1,635 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $2,209 | $1,639 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $2,210 | $1,636 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $2,183 | $1,623 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $2,198 | $1,620 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $2,238 | $1,636 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $2,250 | $1,638 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $303,000 in Houston vs $720,000 in Seattle
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Seattle, WA
- Houston, TX
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Seattle, WA | Houston, TX | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $336K | $184K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $344K | $188K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $352K | $192K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $365K | $195K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $379K | $198K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $389K | $200K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $396K | $201K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $407K | $204K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $423K | $205K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $438K | $207K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $449K | $209K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $460K | $211K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $479K | $213K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $495K | $215K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $501K | $218K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $498K | $220K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $498K | $223K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $501K | $224K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $501K | $225K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $508K | $228K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $521K | $230K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $532K | $231K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $542K | $234K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $571K | $242K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $600K | $251K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $640K | $262K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $656K | $272K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $668K | $281K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $721K | $297K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $763K | $313K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $728K | $318K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $706K | $315K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $690K | $311K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $691K | $311K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $705K | $313K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $712K | $313K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $720K | $314K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $734K | $316K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $738K | $315K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $749K | $314K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $751K | $313K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $736K | $310K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $732K | $308K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $739K | $308K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $737K | $307K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $723K | $304K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $720K | $303K | $366K |
More about each city
Related comparisons
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.