Cost of Living: Carrollton, TX vs Carlsbad, CA (2026)

Carrollton

Texas
116
VS

Carlsbad

California
253

Carrollton is 54% cheaper than Carlsbad.

$1,674/mo ↓ 37%
Median Rent
$2,678/mo ↑ 60%
$99,115/yr ↓ 29%
Median Income
$139,326/yr ↑ 41%
$353,600 ↓ 69%
Home Value
$1,156,900 ↑ 227%
$1,689/mo ↓ 40%
Owner Costs
$2,801/mo ↑ 66%
132,741
Population
114,500

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

20.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Carrollton, TX and Carlsbad, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 116 and 253 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,004/month cheaper in Carrollton, saving renters about $12,048/year.

Median household income is $40,211/year higher in Carlsbad. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Carrollton is $353,600 compared to $1,156,900 in Carlsbad.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Carrollton residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Carrollton vs Carlsbad — common questions

Is Carrollton or Carlsbad cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Carrollton is cheaper to live in with an index of 116 compared to 253 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Carrollton and Carlsbad?
Median rent in Carrollton is $1,674/month and in Carlsbad it's $2,678/month — a difference of $1,004/month.
Which city has higher income, Carrollton or Carlsbad?
Median household income is $99,115 in Carrollton and $139,326 in Carlsbad. Median household income is $40,211/year higher in Carlsbad.
How do taxes compare between Texas and California?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Carrollton or Carlsbad?
It depends on your priorities. Carrollton has a cost index of 116 with median rent of $1,674/mo, while Carlsbad has a cost index of 253 with rent of $2,678/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Carrollton details → View Carlsbad details →

More Comparisons

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