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

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Modesto

California
120

Houston is 27% cheaper than Modesto.

$1,313/mo ↓ 18%
Median Rent
$1,609/mo ↑ 23%
$62,894/yr ↓ 19%
Median Income
$77,899/yr ↑ 24%
$253,400 ↓ 39%
Home Value
$415,600 ↑ 64%
$1,316/mo ↓ 18%
Owner Costs
$1,613/mo ↑ 23%
2,300,419
Population
218,614

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
24.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Modesto, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 120 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $296/month cheaper in Houston, saving renters about $3,552/year.

Median household income is $15,005/year higher in Modesto. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $415,600 in Modesto.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Modesto — common questions

Is Houston or Modesto cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Houston is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 120 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Modesto?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Modesto it's $1,609/month — a difference of $296/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Modesto?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $77,899 in Modesto. Median household income is $15,005/year higher in Modesto.
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 Modesto?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/mo, while Modesto has a cost index of 120 with rent of $1,609/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Houston details → View Modesto details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Houston and Modesto

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