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

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Pasadena

California
220

Houston is 60% cheaper than Pasadena.

$1,313/mo ↓ 41%
Median Rent
$2,218/mo ↑ 69%
$62,894/yr ↓ 39%
Median Income
$103,778/yr ↑ 65%
$253,400 ↓ 76%
Home Value
$1,045,000 ↑ 312%
$1,316/mo ↓ 44%
Owner Costs
$2,340/mo ↑ 78%
2,300,419
Population
136,462

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
25.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Pasadena, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 220 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $905/month cheaper in Houston, saving renters about $10,860/year.

Median household income is $40,884/year higher in Pasadena. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $1,045,000 in Pasadena.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Pasadena — common questions

Is Houston or Pasadena cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Houston is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 220 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Pasadena?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Pasadena it's $2,218/month — a difference of $905/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Pasadena?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $103,778 in Pasadena. Median household income is $40,884/year higher in Pasadena.
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 Pasadena?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/mo, while Pasadena has a cost index of 220 with rent of $2,218/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Houston details → View Pasadena details →

More Comparisons

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