Moving from Austin, TX to Houston, TX
About 10,056 people made this move in a typical year (Census Bureau metro-to-metro migration flows, ACS 5-year 2016-2020), and 15,222 go the other way. Here is what the move does to two households’ budgets after 2026 taxes — and the salary each needs in Houston, TX.
Single, $70k: line by line
Single adult earning $70,000, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (1 bedroom). Taxes take 17.0% of income in Austin, TX and 17.0% in Houston, TX.
Austin, TX Houston, TX (monthly)
| Monthly | Austin, TX | Houston, TX | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $5,833 | $5,833 | $0 |
| Taxes | $994 | $994 | $0 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law | $548 | $548 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $446 | $446 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law · no state tax on wages | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $4,840 | $4,840 | $0 |
| Housing | $1,530 | $1,261 | −$269 |
| Rent, 1-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $1,530 | $1,261 | −$269 |
| Food | $413 | $443 | +$30 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 100.6 | $413 | $443 | +$30 |
| Transportation | $155 | $155 | $0 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 12,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $3.87/gal (TX weekly average) | $155 | $155 | $0 |
| Sales tax | $29 | $31 | +$2 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 6.25% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $29 | $31 | +$2 |
| Other goods & services | $950 | $981 | +$31 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 100.6 | $469 | $503 | +$34 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 95.6 | $481 | $478 | −$3 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $1,762 | $1,968 | +$205 |
Family of four, $120k: line by line
Two adults, a preschooler and a school-age child, $120,000 combined, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (2 bedrooms), center-based childcare in current dollars. Taxes take 12.3% of income in Austin, TX and 12.3% in Houston, TX.
Austin, TX Houston, TX (monthly)
| Monthly | Austin, TX | Houston, TX | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $10,000 | $10,000 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,235 | $1,235 | $0 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law · after $4,400 Child Tax Credit | $470 | $470 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $765 | $765 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law · no state tax on wages | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $8,765 | $8,765 | $0 |
| Housing | $1,817 | $1,497 | −$320 |
| Rent, 2-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $1,817 | $1,497 | −$320 |
| Childcare | $2,151 | $1,711 | −$440 |
| Childcare, center-basedDOL NDCP 2022 · preschool $167/wk, school-age $156/wk (2022 prices, Harris County, TX); × 1.2224 BLS CPI day care, 2022 to 2026-08 | $2,151 | $1,711 | −$440 |
| Food | $1,203 | $1,291 | +$88 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 100.6 | $1,203 | $1,291 | +$88 |
| Transportation | $310 | $310 | $0 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 24,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $3.87/gal (TX weekly average) | $310 | $310 | $0 |
| Sales tax | $29 | $31 | +$2 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 6.25% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $29 | $31 | +$2 |
| Other goods & services | $950 | $981 | +$31 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 100.6 | $469 | $503 | +$34 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 95.6 | $481 | $478 | −$3 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $2,306 | $2,944 | +$638 |
Austin, TX vs Houston, TX at a glance
| Measure | Austin, TX | Houston, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (BEA RPP, US = 100) | 98.1 | 98.6 |
| Housing price level | 120.4 | 104.5 |
| 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,530 | $1,261 |
| 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,817 | $1,497 |
| 3-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $2,292 | $2,017 |
| Median home value | $465,000 | $298,000 |
| Effective property-tax rate | 1.54% | 1.61% |
| Median household income | $100,431 | $82,168 |
| Center infant care / week (DOL NDCP 2022 unless noted) | $229 | $185 |
| State income tax on wages | No | No |
| Mandatory local income tax (principal city) | None in our data | None in our data |
| State sales tax | 6.25% | 6.25% |
| Regular gasoline | $3.87 | $3.87 |
| Average electric bill (state) | $171 | $171 |
Sources: BEA RPP 2024; HUD FMR FY2027; Census ACS 2020-2024; DOL NDCP 2022; 2026 tax law; state revenue departments; EIA (electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05).
Frequently asked questions
How much do I need to make in Houston, TX to keep my Austin, TX lifestyle?+
For a single renter earning $70,000 in Austin, TX, about $66,498 in Houston, TX (−5.0%). For two adults with a preschooler and a school-age child on $120,000, about $110,471. Both keep the same money left over after 2026 taxes, rent, childcare, food, fuel and other modeled costs.
Is Houston, TX cheaper than Austin, TX?+
On BEA’s 2024 price index, Houston, TX is at 98.6 and Austin, TX at 98.1 (US = 100). After taxes and household costs, a single renter on $70,000 would have +$205 a month in Houston, TX.
How many people move from Austin, TX to Houston, TX?+
About 10,056 people a year (±1,336), according to the Census Bureau’s metro-to-metro migration flows (ACS 5-year 2016-2020); about 15,222 move the other way.
What isn’t included?+
Moving costs, health insurance, car payments and insurance, local sales tax add-ons and differences in wages between the two metros. Add known monthly costs in the calculator’s “Fixed costs / month” field.