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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Dollar for dollar, these cities represent some of the best deals in America. 2 out of 2 cities undercut the national cost index of 111. Leading the pack: Houston at index 90, where median rent of $1,542/month saves renters $4,236/year versus the national median.
Dollar for dollar, these cities represent some of the best deals in America. 2 out of 2 cities undercut the national cost index of 111. Leading the pack: Houston at index 90, where median rent of $1,542/month saves renters $4,236/year versus the national median.
Houston earns its position at #1 through a combination that's hard to replicate. The 90 cost index sits 21 points below the national baseline, and the $62,894 median income means purchasing power here is amplified by the low cost base. Homes list at $261,976 — $205,394 below the national median — a genuine ownership opportunity. On the cost side, Housing leads the way at 90, while Healthcare trails at 98.
Bottom line: Houston, TX leads this ranking for clear, data-backed reasons — but the "best" city depends on your priorities. Click into any city below to see the full detail page with 12-month trend charts, profession-specific salary data, and a breakdown of all five cost categories. If you're seriously considering a move, use our salary calculator to model your specific income against these numbers.
#1 Ranked: Houston, TX — cost index 90, rent $1,542/mo, income $62,894
2 of 2 cities come in below the national cost-of-living average of 111
Data sourced from Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and Tax Foundation — current as of 2026
2,314,157 residents · Texas
What does daily life actually cost in Houston? Start with the 29% rent-to-income ratio — tight but manageable for most households. On the category level, Housing (index 90) is where the real savings show up, while Healthcare (index 98) is the line item most likely to surprise newcomers. Income at $62,894 and homes at $261,976 round out a profile that ranks #1 for clear reasons (your mileage may vary — literally).
511,648 residents · Arizona
What does daily life actually cost in Mesa? Start with the 24% rent-to-income ratio — that's the kind of margin that lets people build savings. On the category level, Housing (index 91) is where the real savings show up, while Healthcare (index 98) is the line item most likely to surprise newcomers. Income at $78,779 and homes at $432,764 round out a profile that ranks #2 for clear reasons. Worth a deeper look.
Our cost of living index uses real Zillow rent data as the foundation, indexed to 100 (national median). Sub-categories (housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare) are derived from the overall index with regional adjustments. Data is updated monthly.
Houston (ranked #1) has a cost index of 90 and rent of $1,542/mo, while Mesa (ranked #2) has a cost index of 91 and rent of $1,554/mo — a 1-point difference in cost of living.
City data is refreshed monthly from Census Bureau population estimates, Zillow rent and home price indices, BLS salary data, and Tax Foundation tax rates. Last updated: 2026.
The median 1-bedroom rent in Houston is $1,542/month as of 2026, based on Zillow's Observed Rent Index. This is $353 below the national median of $1,895/month.
The median home price in Houston is $261,976, which is 4.2× the local median income. It's on the edge of affordability for median-income households. The national median home price is $467,370.
This ranking was generated using data current as of early 2026. Population and income data comes from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (5-year estimates). Rent and home price data is from Zillow's monthly releases. Tax rates are from the Tax Foundation's 2025 edition. Rankings are refreshed monthly.