Cost of Living: Fairfield, CA vs The Woodlands, TX (2026)

Fairfield

California
167
VS

The Woodlands

Texas
139

Fairfield is 20% more expensive than The Woodlands.

$2,191/mo ↑ 22%
Median Rent
$1,792/mo ↓ 18%
$102,321/yr ↓ 28%
Median Income
$141,353/yr ↑ 38%
$592,500 ↑ 24%
Home Value
$479,400 ↓ 19%
$2,226/mo ↑ 11%
Owner Costs
$2,005/mo ↓ 10%
119,985
Population
116,916

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

25.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
15.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fairfield, CA and The Woodlands, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 167 and 139 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $399/month cheaper in The Woodlands, saving renters about $4,788/year.

Median household income is $39,032/year higher in The Woodlands. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fairfield is $592,500 compared to $479,400 in The Woodlands.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Fairfield vs The Woodlands — common questions

Is Fairfield or The Woodlands cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, The Woodlands is cheaper to live in with an index of 139 compared to 167 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fairfield and The Woodlands?
Median rent in Fairfield is $2,191/month and in The Woodlands it's $1,792/month — a difference of $399/month.
Which city has higher income, Fairfield or The Woodlands?
Median household income is $102,321 in Fairfield and $141,353 in The Woodlands. Median household income is $39,032/year higher in The Woodlands.
How do taxes compare between California and Texas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Fairfield or The Woodlands?
It depends on your priorities. Fairfield has a cost index of 167 with median rent of $2,191/mo, while The Woodlands has a cost index of 139 with rent of $1,792/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fairfield details → View The Woodlands details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Fairfield and The Woodlands

Fairfield vs. Berkeley Fairfield vs. Hartford Fairfield vs. Ann Arbor Fairfield vs. West Palm Beach Fairfield vs. Lafayette Fairfield vs. Spring Hill The Woodlands vs. Lakeland The Woodlands vs. Evansville The Woodlands vs. Clearwater The Woodlands vs. Brandon The Woodlands vs. North Charleston The Woodlands vs. West Jordan