Is Seattle, WA cheaper than Houston, TX?

Based on cost of living data, Seattle, WA is 78.2% more expensive than Houston, TX. This translates to spending an extra $5868 per month.

What salary do I need in Seattle, WA to live like I do in Houston, TX?

If you earn $150,000 in Houston, TX, you'd need approximately $220,414.508 in Seattle, WA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Houston, TX and Seattle, WA?

Housing in Seattle, WA is 244.0% more expensive than in Houston, TX. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $2,630/month in Seattle, WA compared to $1,500/month in Houston, TX.

How much can I save per month by moving from Houston, TX to Seattle, WA?

Living in Seattle, WA costs approximately $5868 more per month than Houston, TX, or $70415 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

MoveNumbers

Houston, TX

Tap to swap

Seattle, WA

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Houston, TX

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $5.9K/month more in Seattle, WA

$150.0K in your current city equals $220.4K in Seattle, WA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX area

Overall Cost

↑ 78.2%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$5,868

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$70.4K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Houston, TX

Population:2305K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$245K

Seattle, WA

Population:749K

Cost Index:178

Median Home:$808K

Houston, TX

The Lone Star State

2.3M

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Energy capital of the world
•NASA Mission Control
•Diverse port city

Major Industries

EnergyAerospaceHealthcareInternational Trade

Seattle, WA

The Evergreen State

749K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Climate

Oceanic

Notable Facts

•Coffee culture birthplace
•Major tech center
•Pacific Northwest gateway

Major Industries

TechnologyAerospaceMaritime TradeCoffee Industry

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Houston, TX vs Seattle, WA

Category	Houston, TX	Seattle, WA	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,191/mo	$7,536/mo	↑ $5,346more	244.0%
🚗Transportation	$1,449/mo	$1,899/mo	↑ $449more	31.0%
🏥Healthcare	$562/mo	$824/mo	↑ $262more	46.6%
📦Other	$1,768/mo	$1,975/mo	↑ $208more	11.7%
🛒Groceries	$911/mo	$1,079/mo	↑ $168more	18.4%
⚡All Utilities	$552/mo	$481/mo	↓ $71.58less	13.0%

🏠Housing

↑ 244.0%

Houston, TX

$2,191

Seattle, WA

$7,536

Difference

$5,346

🚗Transportation

↑ 31.0%

Houston, TX

$1,449

Seattle, WA

$1,899

Difference

$449

🏥Healthcare

↑ 46.6%

Houston, TX

$562

Seattle, WA

$824

Difference

$262

📦Other

↑ 11.7%

Houston, TX

$1,768

Seattle, WA

$1,975

Difference

$208

🛒Groceries

↑ 18.4%

Houston, TX

$911

Seattle, WA

$1,079

Difference

$168

⚡All Utilities

↓ 13.0%

Houston, TX

$552

Seattle, WA

$481

Difference

$71.58

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,220

To$2,180

↑ $960

1 Bed

From$1,260

To$2,260

↑ $1,000

2 Bed

From$1,500

To$2,630

↑ $1,130

3 Bed

From$2,020

To$3,440

↑ $1,420

Houston, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $880–$1,980/mo

Seattle, WAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,900–$3,210/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,434

Monthly in Houston, TX

$13,794

Monthly in Seattle, WA

$6,361

Difference

Home Values

Houston

Seattle

$245K

Median Value

$808K

↓ -3.1%

YoY Change

↓ -2.5%

↑ +23.4%

5-Year Change

↑ +12.5%

$138K - $1.64M

Price Range

$433K - $1.34M

Homes in Seattle are 229% more expensive than Houston

Calculate payment - Houston Calculate payment - Seattle

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

→ $0

Same taxes

Monthly Difference

Same take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.0%

Rate difference

Houston, TX

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Texas State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

Seattle, WA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Washington State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

Additional Tax Information

Houston, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.8%

Seattle, WA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:9.2%

Property Tax:0.9%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.