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

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Carlsbad

California
253

Houston is 65% cheaper than Carlsbad.

$1,313/mo ↓ 51%
Median Rent
$2,678/mo ↑ 104%
$62,894/yr ↓ 55%
Median Income
$139,326/yr ↑ 122%
$253,400 ↓ 78%
Home Value
$1,156,900 ↑ 357%
$1,316/mo ↓ 53%
Owner Costs
$2,801/mo ↑ 113%
2,300,419
Population
114,500

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
23.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Carlsbad, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 253 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,365/month cheaper in Houston, saving renters about $16,380/year.

Median household income is $76,432/year higher in Carlsbad. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $1,156,900 in Carlsbad.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Carlsbad — common questions

Is Houston or Carlsbad cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Houston is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 253 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Carlsbad?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Carlsbad it's $2,678/month — a difference of $1,365/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Carlsbad?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $139,326 in Carlsbad. Median household income is $76,432/year higher in Carlsbad.
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 Carlsbad?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/mo, while Carlsbad has a cost index of 253 with rent of $2,678/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Houston details → View Carlsbad details →

More Comparisons

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