Austin vs Houston: Cost of Living & Housing Comparison
Austin's median home value is $461,500 — 96% higher than Houston's $235,000.
Typical households bring in $86,556 a year in Austin, versus $60,440 in Houston.
Austin's median rent sits at $1,549, against $1,235 in Houston.
Houston's FEMA hazard rating (Very High) is higher than Austin's (Relatively High) — worth noting if climate risk factors into your decision.
| Metric | Austin, TX | Houston, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 958,202 | 2,296,253 |
| Median home value | $461,500 | $235,000 |
| Median household income | $86,556 | $60,440 |
| Median gross rent | $1,549 | $1,235 |
| Climate risk (FEMA) | Relatively High | Very High |
Austin, TX runs higher than Houston, TX on both median home value and rent — a clear housing-cost edge for Houston, TX, though only on housing.
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Sources: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey; FEMA National Risk Index
Data last updated July 2026.