CostIndexUSA

Greensboro, NC vs Houston, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableNC
Greensboro
92.9
overall index
$1,400/mo rent
TX
Houston
98.6
overall index
$1,600/mo rent

Greensboro is moderately cheaper than Houston — 6.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Greensboro, you would need $84,900 in Houston. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+40.3%
Greensboro
74.5
Houston
104.5
🛒 Groceries+4.1%
Greensboro
96.6
Houston
100.6
🚗 Transportation2.6%
Greensboro
103.1
Houston
100.4
🏥 Healthcare2.7%
Greensboro
93.3
Houston
90.8
Utilities+7.0%
Greensboro
89.1
Houston
95.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Greensboro to see what you'd need to earn in Houston to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Houston, TX
$84,900
$4,900 more needed in Houston

Formula: salary × (98.6 ÷ 92.9) = salary × 1.0614. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Greensboro, NC

Median Home Price
$256,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Housing Index
74.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.2×

Houston, TX

Median Home Price
$302,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,600
Housing Index
104.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.7×

Houston has 40.3% higher housing costs compared to Greensboro.

Income & Job Market

Greensboro, NC

Median Household Income
$63,300
Per Capita Income
$36,100
Unemployment Rate
4.1%
Population
296,710
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareEducationRetailGovernment

Houston, TX

Median Household Income
$79,500
Per Capita Income
$45,300
Unemployment Rate
5.2%
Population
2,304,580
Top Industries
EnergyHealthcareAerospaceManufacturingLogistics

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Greensboro, NC
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

Houston, TX
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.