Cost of Living: Denver vs Houston (2026)

Denver vs Houston cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Houston is about 7% less expensive than Denver overall — $100,000 in Denver is worth about $93,238 in Houston.

Houston is about 7% less expensive than Denver overall — $100,000 in Denver is worth about $93,238 in Houston.

Denver vs Houston: the numbers

MetricDenverHoustonDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)10699-7%
Median rent$1,770$1,313-26%
Median home value$586,700$253,400-57%
Median household income$91,681$62,894-31%

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 Denver has the same buying power as about $93,238 in Houston. Going the other way, $100,000 in Houston is like $107,252 in Denver.

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

Compare any salary: Denver vs Houston

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Denver is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 106 vs 99 — a 7% difference. Your money goes further in Houston.

About $93,238 — that's what you'd need in Houston to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Denver.