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

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Costa Mesa

California
228

Houston is 61% cheaper than Costa Mesa.

$1,313/mo ↓ 45%
Median Rent
$2,395/mo ↑ 82%
$62,894/yr ↓ 43%
Median Income
$110,073/yr ↑ 75%
$253,400 ↓ 76%
Home Value
$1,054,700 ↑ 316%
$1,316/mo ↓ 47%
Owner Costs
$2,462/mo ↑ 87%
2,300,419
Population
110,538

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
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Costa Mesa, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 228 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,082/month cheaper in Houston, saving renters about $12,984/year.

Median household income is $47,179/year higher in Costa Mesa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $1,054,700 in Costa Mesa.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Costa Mesa — common questions

Is Houston or Costa Mesa cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Houston is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 228 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Costa Mesa?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Costa Mesa it's $2,395/month — a difference of $1,082/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Costa Mesa?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $110,073 in Costa Mesa. Median household income is $47,179/year higher in Costa Mesa.
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 Costa Mesa?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/mo, while Costa Mesa has a cost index of 228 with rent of $2,395/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Houston details → View Costa Mesa details →

More Comparisons

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