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

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Hayward

California
200

Houston is 56% cheaper than Hayward.

$1,313/mo ↓ 44%
Median Rent
$2,360/mo ↑ 80%
$62,894/yr ↓ 45%
Median Income
$113,775/yr ↑ 81%
$253,400 ↓ 69%
Home Value
$820,700 ↑ 224%
$1,316/mo ↓ 46%
Owner Costs
$2,420/mo ↑ 84%
2,300,419
Population
159,201

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
24.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Hayward, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 200 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,047/month cheaper in Houston, saving renters about $12,564/year.

Median household income is $50,881/year higher in Hayward. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $820,700 in Hayward.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Hayward — common questions

Is Houston or Hayward cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Houston is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 200 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Hayward?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Hayward it's $2,360/month — a difference of $1,047/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Hayward?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $113,775 in Hayward. Median household income is $50,881/year higher in Hayward.
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 Hayward?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/mo, while Hayward has a cost index of 200 with rent of $2,360/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Houston details → View Hayward details →

More Comparisons

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