City Comparison · 2026
Houston vs Phoenix
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Houston = $104k in Phoenix
Metric
Houston
Phoenix
COL Index
✓1.08
1.12
1BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,400/mo
$1,450/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,780/mo
$1,820/mo
State Income Tax
TX
AZ
$100k Take-Home
✓$78,736
$76,236
$100k Effective Rate
✓21.26%
23.76%
$100k Savings Potential
✓$61,936
$58,836
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Houston TX | Phoenix AZ |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $50,248 $4,187/mo · 16.25% eff. | $48,748 $4,062/mo · 18.75% eff. |
| $100,000 | $78,736 $6,561/mo · 21.26% eff. | $76,236 $6,353/mo · 23.76% eff. |
| $150,000 | $113,278 $9,440/mo · 24.48% eff. | $109,528 $9,127/mo · 26.98% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Phoenix cheaper to live in?
Houston has a cost-of-living index of 1.08 while Phoenix is 1.12 (1.00 = US average). Houston is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Houston is $1,400/month vs $1,450/month in Phoenix.
How much more do you need to earn in Phoenix vs Houston?
$100k in Houston = $104k in Phoenix. Cost of living in Phoenix is higher by 3.7%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Houston or Phoenix?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $78,736 in TX (Houston) and $76,236 in AZ (Phoenix). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $61,936 in Houston vs $58,836 in Phoenix.
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