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

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Fairfield

California
167

Houston is 47% cheaper than Fairfield.

$1,313/mo ↓ 40%
Median Rent
$2,191/mo ↑ 67%
$62,894/yr ↓ 39%
Median Income
$102,321/yr ↑ 63%
$253,400 ↓ 57%
Home Value
$592,500 ↑ 134%
$1,316/mo ↓ 41%
Owner Costs
$2,226/mo ↑ 69%
2,300,419
Population
119,985

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
25.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Fairfield, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 167 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $878/month cheaper in Houston, saving renters about $10,536/year.

Median household income is $39,427/year higher in Fairfield. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $592,500 in Fairfield.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Fairfield — common questions

Is Houston or Fairfield cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Houston is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 167 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Fairfield?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Fairfield it's $2,191/month — a difference of $878/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Fairfield?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $102,321 in Fairfield. Median household income is $39,427/year higher in Fairfield.
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 Fairfield?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/mo, while Fairfield has a cost index of 167 with rent of $2,191/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Houston details → View Fairfield details →

More Comparisons

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