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

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Palmdale

California
130

Houston is 32% cheaper than Palmdale.

$1,313/mo ↓ 24%
Median Rent
$1,736/mo ↑ 32%
$62,894/yr ↓ 22%
Median Income
$81,151/yr ↑ 29%
$253,400 ↓ 42%
Home Value
$435,300 ↑ 72%
$1,316/mo ↓ 28%
Owner Costs
$1,831/mo ↑ 39%
2,300,419
Population
165,487

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
25.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Palmdale, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 130 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $423/month cheaper in Houston, saving renters about $5,076/year.

Median household income is $18,257/year higher in Palmdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $435,300 in Palmdale.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Palmdale — common questions

Is Houston or Palmdale cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Houston is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 130 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Palmdale?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Palmdale it's $1,736/month — a difference of $423/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Palmdale?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $81,151 in Palmdale. Median household income is $18,257/year higher in Palmdale.
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 Palmdale?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/mo, while Palmdale has a cost index of 130 with rent of $1,736/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Houston details → View Palmdale details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Houston and Palmdale

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