City Cost Report
Houston skyline
Houston
Phoenix skyline
Phoenix
VS

Houston and Phoenix have similar costs overall.

HoustonPhoenix
Rent (1BR City Centre)$2,098.20 CAD$2,098.20 CAD
Rent (1BR Outside Centre)$1,748.50 CAD$1,748.50 CAD
Groceries Index98100
Monthly Transit Pass$125.89 CAD$89.52 CAD
Utilities (monthly)$237.80 CAD$230.80 CAD
Gas (per litre)$1.09 CAD$1.26 CAD
Mid-range Meal$30.77 CAD$30.77 CAD
Gym Membership$55.95 CAD$62.95 CAD
Childcare (monthly)$1,678.56 CAD$1,538.68 CAD

Each city is shown in your selected currency (toggle CAD/USD in the header); cheaper values are highlighted after converting to a common currency. Updated June 2026.

Salary Equivalence Calculator

If you earn $in Houston...

You would need $59,317 in Phoenix to maintain the same lifestyle.

Frequently asked questions

Is Houston cheaper than Phoenix?

Houston and Phoenix have similar costs overall.

How much is rent in Houston vs Phoenix?

A one-bedroom in the city centre averages $1,500 USD per month in Houston and $1,500 USD in Phoenix. Outside the centre, it is $1,250 USD in Houston and $1,250 USD in Phoenix.

What salary do I need to move from Houston to Phoenix?

On average, you need about 99% of your current salary — for example, $60,000 in Houston is roughly equivalent to $59,317 in Phoenix.

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