I don't know what in the tits the argument is about, but the suggestion that Houston even comes close to the realm of expense as NYC is utter bullshit. No, I don't have a car or fuel payment. It still costs me $425 to get to work each month between the LIRR and MTA. Even more when I need a cab, Uber/Lyft or Carmel to get from point A to B. You can get a decent house for $250,000 in Houston. It would cost you $10,000+/mth. to match 50% of that space in the boroughs. Hell a studio in Astoria. Queens, which is a good value area, will run you about $2,000/mth. I don't think you could find much in the less desirable Long Island neighborhoods for less than $350,000.
Here's an example within a few blocks of my house: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/525-W-Olive-St-Long-Beach-NY-11561/31401414_zpid/
For $600,000, you aren't getting 1,144 sq. ft. 2-bedroom in the Houston area and your house wouldn't have been built in 1950 either. (Granted, the location plays a role in pricing a bit, but I'm in the "cheap" area) Things like groceries and entertainment aren't even close. Property taxes are similar but NY has a State tax, which is worse if you happen to commute from NJ or CT.