City Cost Report
Houston skyline
Houston
Seattle skyline
Seattle
VS

Houston is 22% cheaper than Seattle overall.

HoustonSeattle
Rent (1BR City Centre)$2,098.20 CAD$3,077.36 CAD
Rent (1BR Outside Centre)$1,748.50 CAD$2,517.84 CAD
Groceries Index98110
Monthly Transit Pass$125.89 CAD$138.48 CAD
Utilities (monthly)$237.80 CAD$195.83 CAD
Gas (per litre)$1.09 CAD$1.54 CAD
Mid-range Meal$30.77 CAD$34.97 CAD
Gym Membership$55.95 CAD$83.93 CAD
Childcare (monthly)$1,678.56 CAD$2,657.72 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 $77,217 in Seattle to maintain the same lifestyle.

Frequently asked questions

Is Houston cheaper than Seattle?

Houston is 22% cheaper than Seattle overall.

How much is rent in Houston vs Seattle?

A one-bedroom in the city centre averages $1,500 USD per month in Houston and $2,200 USD in Seattle. Outside the centre, it is $1,250 USD in Houston and $1,800 USD in Seattle.

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

On average, you need about 129% of your current salary — for example, $60,000 in Houston is roughly equivalent to $77,217 in Seattle.

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