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

Fullerton

California
195
VS

The Woodlands

Texas
139

Fullerton is 40% more expensive than The Woodlands.

$2,124/mo ↑ 19%
Median Rent
$1,792/mo ↓ 16%
$104,219/yr ↓ 26%
Median Income
$141,353/yr ↑ 36%
$859,600 ↑ 79%
Home Value
$479,400 ↓ 44%
$2,251/mo ↑ 12%
Owner Costs
$2,005/mo ↓ 11%
141,278
Population
116,916

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

24.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
15.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fullerton, CA and The Woodlands, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 195 and 139 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $332/month cheaper in The Woodlands, saving renters about $3,984/year.

Median household income is $37,134/year higher in The Woodlands. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fullerton is $859,600 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

Fullerton vs The Woodlands — common questions

Is Fullerton 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 195 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fullerton and The Woodlands?
Median rent in Fullerton is $2,124/month and in The Woodlands it's $1,792/month — a difference of $332/month.
Which city has higher income, Fullerton or The Woodlands?
Median household income is $104,219 in Fullerton and $141,353 in The Woodlands. Median household income is $37,134/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 Fullerton or The Woodlands?
It depends on your priorities. Fullerton has a cost index of 195 with median rent of $2,124/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 Fullerton details → View The Woodlands details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Fullerton and The Woodlands

Fullerton vs. Waco Fullerton vs. Metairie Fullerton vs. Visalia Fullerton vs. Orange Fullerton vs. Thornton Fullerton vs. Warren 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