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Houston vs Phoenix: prices, pay and housing
| Houston, TX | Phoenix, AZ | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 98.6 | 103.3 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $67,610 | $69,630 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $49,410 | $51,380 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $68,550 | $67,395 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $56,394 | $56,468 |
| Typical home value | $308,306 | $448,352 |
| Median household income | $80,458 | $84,703 |
| Home price / household income | 3.8 | 5.3 |
| Metro population | 7,274,714 | 4,941,206 |
*Single filer, federal and state income tax and FICA (2026 rules); city income taxes included where we model them.
Compare with another city or state
Equivalent salary: Houston to Phoenix
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Houston to Phoenix, multiply your salary by 1.048.
| Salary in Houston | Same buying power in Phoenix |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Houston | $52,376 in Phoenix |
| $75,000 in Houston | $78,564 in Phoenix |
| $100,000 in Houston | $104,752 in Phoenix |
| $150,000 in Houston | $157,128 in Phoenix |
| $200,000 in Houston | $209,504 in Phoenix |
Salaries for common jobs in Houston and Phoenix
| Job | Houston | Phoenix | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| General and Operations Managers | $146,320 | $132,100 | $148,354 / $127,860 |
| Retail Salespersons | $34,640 | $38,580 | $35,122 / $37,342 |
| Customer Service Representatives | $43,380 | $48,550 | $43,983 / $46,992 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $25,830 | $36,850 | $26,189 / $35,667 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $39,910 | $44,840 | $40,465 / $43,401 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,630 | $35,560 | $28,014 / $34,419 |
| Registered Nurses | $100,290 | $101,090 | $101,684 / $97,845 |
| Cashiers | $30,100 | $35,960 | $30,518 / $34,806 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $38,670 | $41,210 | $39,208 / $39,887 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $29,180 | $53,370 | $29,586 / $51,657 |
| Office Clerks, General | $43,320 | $50,560 | $43,922 / $48,937 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,160 | $59,790 | $58,968 / $57,871 |
| Software Developers | $133,130 | $135,520 | $134,981 / $131,170 |
| Construction Laborers | $43,850 | $48,670 | $44,460 / $47,108 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $32,660 | $38,120 | $33,114 / $36,897 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
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Houston vs Phoenix: questions
Is Houston more expensive than Phoenix?
No. BEA prices are 98.6 in Houston, TX and 103.3 in Phoenix, AZ (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in Phoenix to match $100,000 in Houston?
About $104,752, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Houston or Phoenix?
Houston, TX: once prices are counted, its average salary buys more.
Sources and how to read this page
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas.
- Home values: Zillow Home Value Index; income and population: Census ACS 5-year 2023.
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