Houston vs Austin: Mortgage Cost Comparison
Thinking about buying in Houston or Austin? Here's a side-by-side comparison of mortgage costs in both cities.
$2,350
Houston PITI
$3,155
Austin PITI
$805/mo
Difference
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? Monthly payment PITI with taxes & insurance included
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? Bi-weekly payment PITI if paid every other week
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Houston vs Austin: Full Mortgage Comparison
Buying a home in Houston is $805/month cheaper based on average home prices and local costs.
| Houston, TX | Austin, TX | |
|---|---|---|
| Avg. Home Price | $310,000 | $450,000 |
| Down Payment (20%) | $62,000 | $90,000 |
| Loan Amount | $248,000 | $360,000 |
| Property Tax Rate | 1.9% | 1.68% |
| Annual Property Tax | $5,890 | $7,560 |
| Annual Insurance | $3,500 | $3,000 |
| Monthly P&I | $1,568 | $2,275 |
| Monthly PITI | $2,350 | $3,155 |
| Total Interest (30yr) | $316,310 | $459,160 |
What Drives the Difference?
Home prices are the biggest factor — Austin’s average home costs $140,000 more than Houston’s.
Property taxes also favor Austin — Houston’s 1.9% rate is higher than Austin’s 1.68%.
Insurance is $500/year more in Houston.
Income Needed to Buy
Using the 28% rule (PITI under 28% of gross income):
| Houston | Austin | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly PITI | $2,350 | $3,155 |
| Income needed | $100,716 | $135,233 |
Try Your Own Numbers
The calculator above is pre-filled with Houston’s averages. Adjust the values to match your situation, or try the Austin calculator for Austin-specific numbers.