Data Analyst Pay

Houston vs Little Elm: Data Analyst Salary (2026)

Compare data analyst salaries between Houston, TX and Little Elm, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Houston, TX
$71,381
$34.31/hr
Little Elm, TX
$65,414
$31.45/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXLittle Elm, TX
Median Salary$71,381$65,414
Hourly Rate$34.31$31.45
Entry Level (P10)$42,113$37,940
25th Percentile$54,363$49,026
75th Percentile$94,477$83,730
Top Earner (P90)$111,822$101,392
Total Employed4,06012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($71,381) and Little Elm ($65,414) data analyst salaries.HoustonLittle ElmMedian Salary$71,381$65,414Entry Level (P10)$42,113$37,940Top Earner (P90)$111,822$101,392US Median $80,394

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for data analysts, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Little Elm.

The salary gap between Houston and Little Elm is $5,967 (9.12%). Houston's median is -11.21% compared to the US national median of $80,394.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Houston spans $69,709,Little Elm spans $63,452. Houston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$42,113
P25$54,363
Median$71,381
P75$94,477
P90 (Top)$111,822
Little Elm
P10 (Entry)$37,940
P25$49,026
Median$65,414
P75$83,730
P90 (Top)$101,392

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($72,373 effective) pays 6.21% more than Little Elm ($68,140 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $71,381
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $72,373
Little Elm
Nominal: $65,414
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $68,140

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($71,381/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($111,822)
  • Larger job market (4,060 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $72,373)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Little Elm if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, data analyst salaries in Houston grew -35.6% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -43.0% growth in Little Elm over the same period.

Houston, TX

+-35.6%

$106,110 (2021) → $68,320 (2025)

Little Elm, TX

+-43.0%

$109,921 (2024) → $62,609 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays data analysts more: Houston or Little Elm?

Houston has a higher median data analyst salary at $71,381/year, compared to Little Elm at $65,414/year — a difference of $5,967 (9.12%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Little Elm?

Houston data analysts earn $34.31/hr while Little Elm hygienists earn $31.45/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Houston to Little Elm as a data analyst?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Little Elm. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $72,373, Little Elm = $68,140), job availability (4,060 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level data analysts earn in Houston vs Little Elm?

Entry-level (10th percentile) data analysts earn $42,113 in Houston and $37,940 in Little Elm. The Houston area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AP

Written by Aisha Patel, MA, Certified Data Analyst

Career Analyst

Aisha has 10 years of experience in data analysis. She specializes in business intelligence and works at a tech consulting firm.

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.48% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, MA, Certified Data Analyst, a licensed data analyst with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov