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

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Ontario

California
152

Houston is 42% cheaper than Ontario.

$1,313/mo ↓ 31%
Median Rent
$1,916/mo ↑ 46%
$62,894/yr ↓ 24%
Median Income
$82,806/yr ↑ 32%
$253,400 ↓ 55%
Home Value
$568,000 ↑ 124%
$1,316/mo ↓ 33%
Owner Costs
$1,967/mo ↑ 49%
2,300,419
Population
178,347

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
27.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Ontario, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 152 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $603/month cheaper in Houston, saving renters about $7,236/year.

Median household income is $19,912/year higher in Ontario. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $568,000 in Ontario.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Ontario — common questions

Is Houston or Ontario cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Houston is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 152 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Ontario?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Ontario it's $1,916/month — a difference of $603/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Ontario?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $82,806 in Ontario. Median household income is $19,912/year higher in Ontario.
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 Ontario?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/mo, while Ontario has a cost index of 152 with rent of $1,916/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Houston details → View Ontario details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Houston and Ontario

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