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

Fresno

California
101
VS

The Woodlands

Texas
139

Fresno is 27% cheaper than The Woodlands.

$1,324/mo ↓ 26%
Median Rent
$1,792/mo ↑ 35%
$66,804/yr ↓ 53%
Median Income
$141,353/yr ↑ 112%
$348,500 ↓ 27%
Home Value
$479,400 ↑ 38%
$1,391/mo ↓ 31%
Owner Costs
$2,005/mo ↑ 44%
543,615
Population
116,916

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

23.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
15.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fresno, CA and The Woodlands, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 101 and 139 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $468/month cheaper in Fresno, saving renters about $5,616/year.

Median household income is $74,549/year higher in The Woodlands. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fresno is $348,500 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

Fresno vs The Woodlands — common questions

Is Fresno or The Woodlands cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fresno is cheaper to live in with an index of 101 compared to 139 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fresno and The Woodlands?
Median rent in Fresno is $1,324/month and in The Woodlands it's $1,792/month — a difference of $468/month.
Which city has higher income, Fresno or The Woodlands?
Median household income is $66,804 in Fresno and $141,353 in The Woodlands. Median household income is $74,549/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 Fresno or The Woodlands?
It depends on your priorities. Fresno has a cost index of 101 with median rent of $1,324/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 Fresno details → View The Woodlands details →

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