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Houston vs Quebec City cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money ยท Updated October 2026
๐บ๐ธ Houston
๐จ๐ฆ Quebec City
At a glance
- Where Quebec City is clearly cheaper: Entry ticket (33%โ), Street food (26%โ), Half-day tour (26%โ)
- Where Houston is clearly cheaper: Transit (56%โ), Laundry (36%โ)
By category
Salary equivalence
Travel difficulty
Quebec City is easier to travel (1.4 vs 1.6). Biggest gap: language โ Houston 1 vs Quebec City 2. Closer to 1 is easier. Difficulty ranking โบ
Item by item
| Item | Houston | Quebec City | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $ 14$14 | C$ 22$16.2 | Houston โ13% |
| Street food1 item | $ 9$9 | C$ 9$6.62 | Quebec City โ26% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | $ 36$36 | C$ 42$30.9 | Quebec City โ14% |
| Coffeeone cup | $ 5.2$5.2 | C$ 5.3$3.9 | Quebec City โ25% |
| Beerone bottle | $ 6.2$6.2 | C$ 9$6.62 | Houston โ6% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $ 13$13 | C$ 15$11 | Quebec City โ15% |
| Bottled water | $ 2$2 | C$ 2.4$1.76 | Quebec City โ12% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | $ 2.7$2.7 | C$ 2.9$2.13 | Quebec City โ21% |
| Taxi5 km in town | $ 11$11 | C$ 17$12.5 | Houston โ12% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $ 9$9 | C$ 10$7.35 | Quebec City โ18% |
| Transitone ride | $ 1.25$1.25 | C$ 3.85$2.83 | Houston โ56% |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 35$35 | C$ 40$29.4 | Quebec City โ16% |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 150$150 | C$ 185$136 | Quebec City โ9% |
| Studio rent (month) | $ 1,200$1,200 | C$ 1,300$956 | Quebec City โ20% |
| Laundry | $ 3.3$3.3 | C$ 7$5.15 | Houston โ36% |
| SIM card1 week data | $ 22$22 | C$ 35$25.7 | Houston โ15% |
| Haircutcut | $ 25$25 | C$ 30$22.1 | Quebec City โ12% |
| Massage1 hour | $ 80$80 | C$ 100$73.5 | Quebec City โ8% |
| Half-day tourper person | $ 70$70 | C$ 70$51.5 | Quebec City โ26% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | $ 24$24 | C$ 22$16.2 | Quebec City โ33% |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Houston or Quebec City?
Houston and Quebec City cost about the same. Daily budget $272 vs $259; a month $4,578 vs $4,505.
Which is easier to travel, Houston or Quebec City?
Quebec City is easier: Quebec City 1.4/5 vs Houston 1.6/5 (average of rip-offs, language, transport, payments and safety).
How do monthly costs compare between Houston and Quebec City?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Houston is about $4,578 and Quebec City about $4,505 per month.
Where do the numbers come from?
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.