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

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Fremont

California
278

Houston is 68% cheaper than Fremont.

$1,313/mo ↓ 55%
Median Rent
$2,905/mo ↑ 121%
$62,894/yr ↓ 64%
Median Income
$176,350/yr ↑ 180%
$253,400 ↓ 80%
Home Value
$1,289,400 ↑ 409%
$1,316/mo ↓ 56%
Owner Costs
$3,000/mo ↑ 128%
2,300,419
Population
228,518

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
19.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Fremont, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 278 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,592/month cheaper in Houston, saving renters about $19,104/year.

Median household income is $113,456/year higher in Fremont. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $1,289,400 in Fremont.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Fremont — common questions

Is Houston or Fremont cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Houston is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 278 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Fremont?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Fremont it's $2,905/month — a difference of $1,592/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Fremont?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $176,350 in Fremont. Median household income is $113,456/year higher in Fremont.
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 Fremont?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/mo, while Fremont has a cost index of 278 with rent of $2,905/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Houston details → View Fremont details →

More Comparisons

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