New York, NY vs Houston, TX
Cost of living comparison · 2023 Census ACS data
Quick Summary
The headline difference between these two markets is housing: a typical home in Houston runs $253,000 versus $752,000 in New York, a 66% gap that dominates most relocation math. Houston also has no state income tax, while the other state tops out at 10.9% — a meaningful annual difference at higher income levels.
Median Home Value
$751,700
$253,400 ✓
Zillow Home Value
$812,534
$261,975
Median Gross Rent
$1,779/mo
$1,313/mo ✓
Owner Occupied %
32.8%
42.0%
Price-to-Rent Ratio
35.2x
16.1x
Median Household Income
$79,713 ✓
$62,894
Per Capita Income
$50,776
$41,142
Unemployment Rate
7.7%
6.7% ✓
Poverty Rate
17.4%
19.7%
Avg Commute (min)
44.8 min
29.7 min
Drove Alone %
21.9%
69.7%
Public Transit %
45.5%
3.3%
Work From Home %
15.0%
11.7%
State Income Tax
10.9%
None
Total Sales Tax
8.5%
8.2% ✓
Property Tax Rate
1.7%
1.7%
Bachelor's Degree %
23.6%
21.3%
Median Age
38
34.3
Avg High Temp
62.6°F
79.8°F
Annual Precipitation
49.5"
55.6"
Annual Snowfall
29.8"
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New York, NY 1 wins
- ✓Median Household Income
Houston, TX 4 wins
- ✓Median Home Value
- ✓Median Gross Rent
- ✓Total Sales Tax
- ✓Unemployment Rate
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