Houston vs. Calgary: What Oil and Gas Families Need to Know Before Relocating

Written by Gabrielle Strout, Luxury Realtor in Cypress, TX

If you work in the energy industry and you're being relocated from Calgary to Houston, you're probably staring at a cost of living calculator right now trying to figure out if you're getting a raise or a pay cut. I get this question constantly, so let's actually break it down, because the answer isn't as simple as "everything's cheaper in Texas."

Start with the one that surprises people the most: taxes. Texas has no state income tax. None. Alberta has a provincial income tax on top of federal tax, and you're also paying into programs like CPP and EI out of every paycheque. So on paper, your take-home pay in Houston is going to look bigger for the same salary. But don't spend that difference yet, because property taxes here are higher than what you're used to in Calgary, and healthcare isn't baked into your taxes the way it is in Canada. You'll be paying for a health insurance plan, usually through your employer, and it's worth actually pricing that out before you celebrate the tax savings.

Housing is where it gets interesting. Home prices in the Energy Corridor, Katy, and Cypress are generally competitive with what you'd pay in Calgary for a comparable home, sometimes even less for the square footage, especially once you get outside the Inner Loop. But the way you buy is different. In Katy or Cypress, you're often looking at new construction homes, larger lots, and HOA-governed communities, master-planned communities with amenities built in. If you're used to Calgary's established neighborhoods, this is a real shift in what "normal" looks like.

Traffic is something to consider when looking for your Houston-area home. Many relocating families feel that a lot of cities operate similarly, but Houston traffic is more congested. Ask your co-workers and Realtor about actual commute times to work from your ideal location, and better yet, drive it during peak hours so you can experience the commute and see if it works for your daily life. If you're used to living mostly without a car in Calgary, this will be a big lifestyle shift, as a car is essential in Houston.

Then there's the weather, and I'm not going to sugarcoat this one. Calgary winters are long and cold. Houston doesn't really have that problem. What Houston has instead is summer—real summer—with several months of heat and humidity that Calgary just doesn't prepare you for. Every home here runs on air conditioning the way every home in Calgary runs on heating. It's not better or worse; it's just a completely different rhythm to your year.

If you're in the oil and gas industry specifically, you already know Calgary and Houston are basically sister cities for energy professionals. A lot of the same energy companies have offices in both, which is exactly why so many of my clients are making this exact move. What that means for you is the professional network transfers more easily than people expect. You're not starting from zero—you're relocating within the same industry, often with people who've made the same move before you.

For families, schools are usually the next question, and this is where local knowledge really matters. Katy ISD and Cy-Fair ISD have some of the strongest public school districts in the Houston area, and that's a big part of why so many relocating families choose these communities instead of somewhere closer to the city.

With two airports, including George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), Houston is a convenient location for business travel and international travel. Houston is connected to major cities with non-stop flights, making travel incredibly convenient for professionals and families alike.

So, is Houston cheaper than Calgary? For take-home pay, usually yes. For the total cost of living, once you factor in healthcare, property taxes, and housing costs, it's much closer than people assume. Ultimately, it depends on your specific situation—your family size, your employee benefits, and what kind of home you're buying. That's exactly why I don't think a generic cost of living calculator gives you the real answer.

If you're relocating from Calgary, or anywhere else in the oil and gas industry, and you want the real numbers for your specific situation, reach out. Schedule your complimentary and confidential relocation consultation, and let's figure out what this move to Houston actually looks like for you.