New York vs Houston: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of New York, NY and Houston, TX, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | New York, NY | Houston, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,622,467 | 2,296,253 |
| Median household income | $76,607 | $60,440 |
| Median home value | $732,100 | $235,000 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,714 | $1,235 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing New York, NY and Houston, TX comes down to what you value most. Houston has the lower median home value, and Houston has the lower median rent.
New York has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in New York or Houston?
- By median home value, Houston is the cheaper of the two ($235,000 vs $732,100). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, New York or Houston?
- Median household income is $76,607 in New York versus $60,440 in Houston, per the US Census Bureau.