Spokane wins overall by ~4% (COL index)
Cost of living: Houston vs Spokane (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Houston buys roughly what $57,474 does in Spokane (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$442/yr
Favoring Houston for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $37/mo in Houston, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still grow your savings buffer.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Houston Texas | Spokane Washington | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,050Better | $1,100 | Houston wins +$50/mo | $600/yr saves in Houston |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,350Better | $1,400 | Houston wins +$50/mo | $600/yr saves in Houston |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,700Better | $1,850 | Houston wins +$150/mo | $1,800/yr saves in Houston |
| Median home price | $280KWins | $330K | Houston wins +$50K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 94Better | 98 | Houston wins +4 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $12Better | $13 | Houston wins +$1/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $50Better | $54 | Houston wins +$4/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $90 | $62Wins | Spokane wins −$28/mo | $336/yr saves in Spokane |
| Gas price/gal | $3.10Wins | $3.70 | Houston wins +$0.60 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $190 | $148Wins | Spokane wins −$42/mo | $504/yr saves in Spokane |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $175 | $115Wins | Spokane wins −$60/mo | $720/yr saves in Spokane |
| Internet/mo | $65 | $62Better | Spokane wins −$3/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $56K | $58KBetter | Spokane wins +$2K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 0.0%Better | 0.0% | — | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 8.3%Better | 9.0% | Houston wins +0.7 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $15.00Better | $15.00 | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $35Better | $38 | Houston wins +$3/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $6.00Better | $6.00 | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 95 | 91Better | Spokane wins -4 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 49Better | 46 | Houston wins -3 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
Spokane fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Spokane.
High-yield savings
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
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Frequently asked questions
Is Houston cheaper than Spokane?
No. Spokane is 4% cheaper than Houston based on overall cost of living indices (91 vs 95, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Houston vs Spokane?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Houston is $1,350/month and in Spokane is $1,400/month. Houston is cheaper by 4%.
How much do I need to earn in Spokane to match a $75,000 salary in Houston?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $71,842/year in Spokane to match a $75,000 salary in Houston. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Houston or Spokane?
Spokane has the lower state income tax rate at 0% vs 0%. Spokane has no state income tax at all, which can save thousands of dollars per year depending on your income. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Houston to Spokane?
It depends on your priorities. Spokane offers lower overall costs and tax advantages, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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