Cost of Living: Columbus vs Houston (2026)

Columbus vs Houston cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Houston is about 3% more expensive than Columbus overall — $100,000 in Columbus is worth about $103,310 in Houston.

Houston is about 3% more expensive than Columbus overall — $100,000 in Columbus is worth about $103,310 in Houston.

Columbus vs Houston: the numbers

MetricColumbusHoustonDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)9599+3%
Median rent$1,224$1,313+7%
Median home value$234,500$253,400+8%
Median household income$65,327$62,894-4%

Cost of living = BEA Regional Price Parities (US average = 100). Rent, home value, and income from the U.S. Census ACS. See our methodology.

What your salary is worth

A $100,000 salary in Columbus has the same buying power as about $103,310 in Houston. Going the other way, $100,000 in Houston is like $96,796 in Columbus.

Use the calculator below to compare any salary between Columbus and Houston.

Compare any salary: Columbus vs Houston

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 99 vs 95 — a 3% difference. Your money goes further in Columbus.

About $103,310 — that's what you'd need in Houston to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Columbus.