Cost of Living: Houston, TX vs Berkeley, CA (2026)

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Berkeley

California
251

Houston is 65% cheaper than Berkeley.

$1,313/mo ↓ 38%
Median Rent
$2,127/mo ↑ 62%
$62,894/yr ↓ 42%
Median Income
$108,558/yr ↑ 73%
$253,400 ↓ 81%
Home Value
$1,351,100 ↑ 433%
$1,316/mo ↓ 44%
Owner Costs
$2,340/mo ↑ 78%
2,300,419
Population
120,223

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

25.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Berkeley, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 251 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $814/month cheaper in Houston, saving renters about $9,768/year.

Median household income is $45,664/year higher in Berkeley. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $1,351,100 in Berkeley.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Berkeley — common questions

Is Houston or Berkeley cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Houston is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 251 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Berkeley?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Berkeley it's $2,127/month — a difference of $814/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Berkeley?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $108,558 in Berkeley. Median household income is $45,664/year higher in Berkeley.
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 Houston or Berkeley?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/mo, while Berkeley has a cost index of 251 with rent of $2,127/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Houston details → View Berkeley details →

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