Advertisement
Houston vs Seattle: prices, pay and housing
| Houston, TX | Seattle, WA | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 98.6 | 111.1 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $67,610 | $91,790 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $49,410 | $72,610 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $68,550 | $82,595 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $56,394 | $73,404 |
| Typical home value | $308,306 | $750,279 |
| Median household income | $80,458 | $112,594 |
| Home price / household income | 3.8 | 6.7 |
| Metro population | 7,274,714 | 4,021,467 |
*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 Seattle
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Houston to Seattle, multiply your salary by 1.127.
| Salary in Houston | Same buying power in Seattle |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Houston | $56,339 in Seattle |
| $75,000 in Houston | $84,508 in Seattle |
| $100,000 in Houston | $112,678 in Seattle |
| $150,000 in Houston | $169,017 in Seattle |
| $200,000 in Houston | $225,356 in Seattle |
Salaries for common jobs in Houston and Seattle
| Job | Houston | Seattle | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developers | $133,130 | $174,920 | $134,981 / $157,397 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $25,830 | $49,500 | $26,189 / $44,541 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,630 | $42,260 | $28,014 / $38,027 |
| Retail Salespersons | $34,640 | $45,020 | $35,122 / $40,510 |
| Registered Nurses | $100,290 | $126,390 | $101,684 / $113,729 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $92,150 | $110,050 | $93,431 / $99,025 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $38,670 | $47,470 | $39,208 / $42,715 |
| Cashiers | $30,100 | $44,720 | $30,518 / $40,240 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $39,910 | $49,650 | $40,465 / $44,676 |
| General and Operations Managers | $146,320 | $169,740 | $148,354 / $152,736 |
| Office Clerks, General | $43,320 | $56,470 | $43,922 / $50,813 |
| Project Management Specialists | $107,190 | $133,590 | $108,680 / $120,207 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $32,660 | $49,380 | $33,114 / $44,433 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $29,180 | $62,940 | $29,586 / $56,635 |
| Customer Service Representatives | $43,380 | $56,350 | $43,983 / $50,705 |
Advertisement
Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
More cost of living comparisons
Go deeper
Houston vs Seattle: questions
Is Houston more expensive than Seattle?
No. BEA prices are 98.6 in Houston, TX and 111.1 in Seattle, WA (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in Seattle to match $100,000 in Houston?
About $112,678, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Houston or Seattle?
Seattle, WA: 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.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.