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

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Orange

California
206

Houston is 57% cheaper than Orange.

$1,313/mo ↓ 42%
Median Rent
$2,252/mo ↑ 72%
$62,894/yr ↓ 46%
Median Income
$116,945/yr ↑ 86%
$253,400 ↓ 72%
Home Value
$900,700 ↑ 255%
$1,316/mo ↓ 45%
Owner Costs
$2,394/mo ↑ 82%
2,300,419
Population
138,723

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
23.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Orange, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 206 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $939/month cheaper in Houston, saving renters about $11,268/year.

Median household income is $54,051/year higher in Orange. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $900,700 in Orange.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Orange — common questions

Is Houston or Orange cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Houston is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 206 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Orange?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Orange it's $2,252/month — a difference of $939/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Orange?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $116,945 in Orange. Median household income is $54,051/year higher in Orange.
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 Orange?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/mo, while Orange has a cost index of 206 with rent of $2,252/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Houston details → View Orange details →

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