Washington, DC 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 9.4% less expensive than Washington, DC (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Washington works out to about $67,900 in Houston, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 30.8% less in Houston. Goods are 4.0% lower and other services 6.6% lower.
- Typical asking rent is $1,638 a month in Houston and $2,407 in Washington, $9,228 a year less in Houston (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $303,000 in Houston and $570,000 in Washington.
- The gap has widened since 2019, when Houston was 7.6% less expensive than Washington.
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: 30.8% lower in Houston than in Washington
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Washington, DC
- Houston, TX
All items Washington, DC: 108.9 Houston, TX: 98.6
Goods Washington, DC: 104.8 Houston, TX: 100.6
Housing (rents) Washington, DC: 151.1 Houston, TX: 104.5
Utilities Washington, DC: 106.7 Houston, TX: 95.3
Other services Washington, DC: 102.3 Houston, TX: 95.6
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Washington, DC | Houston, TX | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 108.9 | 98.6 |
| Goods | 104.8 | 100.6 |
| Housing (rents) | 151.1 | 104.5 |
| Utilities | 106.7 | 95.3 |
| Other services | 102.3 | 95.6 |
| Category | Washington | Houston | Houston vs Washington |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 108.9 | 98.6 | −9.4% |
| Goods | 104.8 | 100.6 | −4.0% |
| Housing (rents) | 151.1 | 104.5 | −30.8% |
| Utilities | 106.7 | 95.3 | −10.7% |
| Other services | 102.3 | 95.6 | −6.6% |
| Typical asking rent | $2,407 | $1,638 | −31.9% |
| Typical home value | $570,000 | $303,000 | −46.9% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Washington | $75,000 | $67,900 | −9.4% |
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 Washington and Houston has narrowed since 2008: 15.3 points then, 10.3 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Washington, DC
- Houston, TX
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Washington, DC | Houston, TX | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 114.8 | 99.4 |
| 2009 | 115.0 | 100.6 |
| 2010 | 114.6 | 101.0 |
| 2011 | 113.5 | 98.7 |
| 2012 | 111.7 | 100.1 |
| 2013 | 113.9 | 101.1 |
| 2014 | 113.7 | 102.2 |
| 2015 | 113.7 | 103.1 |
| 2016 | 112.1 | 102.4 |
| 2017 | 109.8 | 100.0 |
| 2018 | 111.2 | 101.9 |
| 2019 | 109.8 | 101.4 |
| 2020 | 111.4 | 100.0 |
| 2021 | 111.6 | 99.7 |
| 2022 | 111.2 | 98.8 |
| 2023 | 109.5 | 99.7 |
| 2024 | 108.9 | 98.6 |
Goods
- Washington, DC
- Houston, TX
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Washington, DC | Houston, TX | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 111.6 | 95.9 |
| 2009 | 112.6 | 98.0 |
| 2010 | 108.5 | 99.6 |
| 2011 | 106.5 | 97.6 |
| 2012 | 104.9 | 99.0 |
| 2013 | 108.9 | 97.7 |
| 2014 | 104.0 | 98.9 |
| 2015 | 104.0 | 98.9 |
| 2016 | 104.2 | 97.7 |
| 2017 | 103.1 | 96.3 |
| 2018 | 105.2 | 99.0 |
| 2019 | 104.1 | 98.3 |
| 2020 | 104.8 | 96.7 |
| 2021 | 108.5 | 97.7 |
| 2022 | 106.9 | 98.1 |
| 2023 | 106.4 | 101.7 |
| 2024 | 104.8 | 100.6 |
Housing (rents)
- Washington, DC
- Houston, TX
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Washington, DC | Houston, TX | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 168.2 | 99.9 |
| 2009 | 168.9 | 101.9 |
| 2010 | 171.2 | 103.5 |
| 2011 | 173.2 | 99.4 |
| 2012 | 172.3 | 103.4 |
| 2013 | 176.2 | 104.1 |
| 2014 | 175.2 | 107.6 |
| 2015 | 171.4 | 108.6 |
| 2016 | 170.9 | 110.0 |
| 2017 | 166.2 | 108.5 |
| 2018 | 169.0 | 108.0 |
| 2019 | 162.9 | 107.4 |
| 2020 | 165.1 | 107.5 |
| 2021 | 162.5 | 105.6 |
| 2022 | 157.1 | 107.8 |
| 2023 | 151.9 | 106.3 |
| 2024 | 151.1 | 104.5 |
Utilities
- Washington, DC
- Houston, TX
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Washington, DC | Houston, TX | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 116.4 | 101.4 |
| 2009 | 120.6 | 95.3 |
| 2010 | 107.3 | 97.6 |
| 2011 | 105.8 | 97.4 |
| 2012 | 107.9 | 95.1 |
| 2013 | 107.4 | 95.8 |
| 2014 | 104.2 | 94.5 |
| 2015 | 108.0 | 83.8 |
| 2016 | 112.4 | 92.5 |
| 2017 | 108.1 | 85.7 |
| 2018 | 103.7 | 83.1 |
| 2019 | 102.8 | 91.2 |
| 2020 | 104.7 | 86.4 |
| 2021 | 108.3 | 89.1 |
| 2022 | 101.7 | 92.3 |
| 2023 | 105.7 | 94.9 |
| 2024 | 106.7 | 95.3 |
Other services
- Washington, DC
- Houston, TX
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Washington, DC | Houston, TX | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 105.5 | 102.1 |
| 2009 | 104.7 | 102.4 |
| 2010 | 106.8 | 101.4 |
| 2011 | 106.1 | 99.3 |
| 2012 | 104.1 | 100.2 |
| 2013 | 104.7 | 103.3 |
| 2014 | 107.8 | 103.7 |
| 2015 | 108.3 | 106.0 |
| 2016 | 105.3 | 104.3 |
| 2017 | 102.9 | 101.2 |
| 2018 | 103.9 | 103.4 |
| 2019 | 102.6 | 102.5 |
| 2020 | 103.9 | 100.9 |
| 2021 | 102.6 | 100.2 |
| 2022 | 104.4 | 97.0 |
| 2023 | 102.4 | 96.6 |
| 2024 | 102.3 | 95.6 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,638 in Houston vs $2,407 in Washington
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Washington, DC
- 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
| Washington, DC | Houston, TX | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $1,697 | $1,210 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $1,721 | $1,239 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $1,722 | $1,239 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $1,712 | $1,229 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $1,729 | $1,237 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $1,750 | $1,247 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $1,752 | $1,237 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $1,739 | $1,226 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $1,769 | $1,242 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $1,795 | $1,257 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $1,794 | $1,259 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $1,783 | $1,282 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $1,805 | $1,294 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $1,835 | $1,308 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $1,840 | $1,303 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $1,843 | $1,305 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,865 | $1,311 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,895 | $1,330 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,901 | $1,330 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,891 | $1,331 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,918 | $1,345 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,912 | $1,334 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,895 | $1,343 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,847 | $1,346 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,871 | $1,365 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,949 | $1,424 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $2,033 | $1,483 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $2,043 | $1,497 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $2,075 | $1,523 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $2,149 | $1,564 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $2,184 | $1,577 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $2,138 | $1,561 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $2,176 | $1,583 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $2,221 | $1,605 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $2,249 | $1,608 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $2,229 | $1,594 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $2,265 | $1,604 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $2,325 | $1,627 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $2,346 | $1,635 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $2,321 | $1,623 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $2,365 | $1,635 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $2,389 | $1,639 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $2,375 | $1,636 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $2,336 | $1,623 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $2,364 | $1,620 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $2,391 | $1,636 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $2,407 | $1,638 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $303,000 in Houston vs $570,000 in Washington
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Washington, DC
- 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
| Washington, DC | Houston, TX | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $372K | $184K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $373K | $188K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $375K | $192K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $379K | $195K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $382K | $198K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $382K | $200K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $383K | $201K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $388K | $204K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $393K | $205K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $396K | $207K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $397K | $209K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $402K | $211K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $407K | $213K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $409K | $215K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $413K | $218K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $415K | $220K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $420K | $223K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $424K | $224K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $425K | $225K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $430K | $228K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $438K | $230K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $442K | $231K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $448K | $234K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $465K | $242K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $481K | $251K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $500K | $262K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $505K | $272K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $507K | $281K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $525K | $297K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $543K | $313K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $535K | $318K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $530K | $315K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $529K | $311K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $537K | $311K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $545K | $313K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $547K | $313K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $552K | $314K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $561K | $316K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $564K | $315K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $570K | $314K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $573K | $313K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $570K | $310K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $569K | $308K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $571K | $308K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $571K | $307K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $568K | $304K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $570K | $303K | $366K |
More about each city
- Cost of living in Washington, DC
- Cost of living in Houston, TX
- Reverse: moving from Houston to Washington
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.