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

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Elk Grove

California
168

Houston is 48% cheaper than Elk Grove.

$1,313/mo ↓ 40%
Median Rent
$2,180/mo ↑ 66%
$62,894/yr ↓ 49%
Median Income
$122,229/yr ↑ 94%
$253,400 ↓ 58%
Home Value
$603,400 ↑ 138%
$1,316/mo ↓ 41%
Owner Costs
$2,227/mo ↑ 69%
2,300,419
Population
177,221

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
21.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Elk Grove, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 168 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $867/month cheaper in Houston, saving renters about $10,404/year.

Median household income is $59,335/year higher in Elk Grove. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $603,400 in Elk Grove.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Elk Grove — common questions

Is Houston or Elk Grove cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Houston is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 168 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Elk Grove?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Elk Grove it's $2,180/month — a difference of $867/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Elk Grove?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $122,229 in Elk Grove. Median household income is $59,335/year higher in Elk Grove.
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 Elk Grove?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/mo, while Elk Grove has a cost index of 168 with rent of $2,180/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Houston details → View Elk Grove details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Houston and Elk Grove

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