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

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Corona

California
173

Houston is 49% cheaper than Corona.

$1,313/mo ↓ 39%
Median Rent
$2,136/mo ↑ 63%
$62,894/yr ↓ 41%
Median Income
$106,438/yr ↑ 69%
$253,400 ↓ 61%
Home Value
$656,500 ↑ 159%
$1,316/mo ↓ 42%
Owner Costs
$2,280/mo ↑ 73%
2,300,419
Population
158,839

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
24.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Corona, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 173 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $823/month cheaper in Houston, saving renters about $9,876/year.

Median household income is $43,544/year higher in Corona. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $656,500 in Corona.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Corona — common questions

Is Houston or Corona cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Houston is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 173 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Corona?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Corona it's $2,136/month — a difference of $823/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Corona?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $106,438 in Corona. Median household income is $43,544/year higher in Corona.
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 Corona?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/mo, while Corona has a cost index of 173 with rent of $2,136/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Houston details → View Corona details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Houston and Corona

Houston vs. Chicago Houston vs. Phoenix Houston vs. Los Angeles Houston vs. Philadelphia Houston vs. New York Houston vs. San Antonio Corona vs. Hayward Corona vs. Paterson Corona vs. Salinas Corona vs. Murfreesboro Corona vs. Palmdale Corona vs. Alexandria