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

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Murrieta

California
175

Houston is 50% cheaper than Murrieta.

$1,313/mo ↓ 44%
Median Rent
$2,330/mo ↑ 77%
$62,894/yr ↓ 43%
Median Income
$109,780/yr ↑ 75%
$253,400 ↓ 58%
Home Value
$606,900 ↑ 140%
$1,316/mo ↓ 45%
Owner Costs
$2,380/mo ↑ 81%
2,300,419
Population
111,621

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
25.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Murrieta, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 175 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,017/month cheaper in Houston, saving renters about $12,204/year.

Median household income is $46,886/year higher in Murrieta. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $606,900 in Murrieta.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Murrieta — common questions

Is Houston or Murrieta cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Houston is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 175 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Murrieta?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Murrieta it's $2,330/month — a difference of $1,017/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Murrieta?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $109,780 in Murrieta. Median household income is $46,886/year higher in Murrieta.
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 Murrieta?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/mo, while Murrieta has a cost index of 175 with rent of $2,330/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Houston details → View Murrieta details →

More Comparisons

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