Austin vs Houston
Same state, same income tax rules. The real differences between these two Texas markets are price, space and pace, measured here against a typical LA home.
| Austin, TX | Houston, TX | |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $570K | $368K |
| Median single-family | $600K | $385K |
| Median condo | $365K | $179K |
| Median $/sq ft | $316 | $183 |
| Median days on market | 47 | 41 |
| Avg sale-to-list | 97.7% | 97.2% |
| Sq ft for $1M (at median $/sq ft) | 3,160 | 5,460 |
| Californians who moved to the state (2024) | 77,161 | 77,161 |
Redfin Data Center, May 2026, all residential unless noted. Typical LA County zip for reference: $904K median, $588/sq ft, 44 median days on market. Mover counts: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2024, estimates with margins of error.
The short version
Houston is the less expensive of the two at the median, about $368K versus $570K in Austin, roughly 35% less (Redfin, May 2026). $1 million covers roughly 5,460 square feet in Houston at the median price per square foot, versus about 3,160 in Austin. Houston homes have been moving faster, 41 median days on market versus 47 in Austin. Both are in Texas, so state income tax doesn't separate them: Texas has no personal income tax. About 77,000 people moved from California to Texas in 2024 (U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024).
Taxes
Both cities: None on wages (Texas has no personal income tax). Because Austin and Houston are in the same state, the income tax side is a wash. Property tax, insurance and HOA costs vary by address in both places and can matter as much as income tax, so price them for any specific home.
Go deeper
Read the full guides: moving from LA to Austin and moving from LA to Houston. Or see the state picture: moving from California to Texas.
Common questions
Is Austin or Houston cheaper?
Houston had the lower median sale price, about $368K versus $570K in Austin (Redfin, May 2026), roughly 35% less at the median.
Which has lower state income tax, Austin or Houston?
Neither. Austin and Houston are both in Texas, so the state income tax is the same: Texas has no personal income tax. Rates change, so confirm with the state and a CPA.
What does $1 million buy in Austin vs Houston?
At the median price per square foot, $1 million works out to roughly 3,160 square feet in Austin and 5,460 in Houston, versus about 1,700 at the LA median. A rough illustration, not a listing.
