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

Hayward

California
200
VS

The Woodlands

Texas
139

Hayward is 44% more expensive than The Woodlands.

$2,360/mo ↑ 32%
Median Rent
$1,792/mo ↓ 24%
$113,775/yr ↓ 20%
Median Income
$141,353/yr ↑ 24%
$820,700 ↑ 71%
Home Value
$479,400 ↓ 42%
$2,420/mo ↑ 21%
Owner Costs
$2,005/mo ↓ 17%
159,201
Population
116,916

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

24.9%
rent-to-income
Affordability
15.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Hayward, CA and The Woodlands, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 200 and 139 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $568/month cheaper in The Woodlands, saving renters about $6,816/year.

Median household income is $27,578/year higher in The Woodlands. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Hayward is $820,700 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

Hayward vs The Woodlands — common questions

Is Hayward 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 200 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Hayward and The Woodlands?
Median rent in Hayward is $2,360/month and in The Woodlands it's $1,792/month — a difference of $568/month.
Which city has higher income, Hayward or The Woodlands?
Median household income is $113,775 in Hayward and $141,353 in The Woodlands. Median household income is $27,578/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 Hayward or The Woodlands?
It depends on your priorities. Hayward has a cost index of 200 with median rent of $2,360/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 Hayward details → View The Woodlands details →

More Comparisons

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