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

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Riverside

California
144

Houston is 39% cheaper than Riverside.

$1,313/mo ↓ 28%
Median Rent
$1,812/mo ↑ 38%
$62,894/yr ↓ 29%
Median Income
$88,575/yr ↑ 41%
$253,400 ↓ 53%
Home Value
$542,100 ↑ 114%
$1,316/mo ↓ 30%
Owner Costs
$1,880/mo ↑ 43%
2,300,419
Population
316,241

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
24.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Riverside, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 144 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $499/month cheaper in Houston, saving renters about $5,988/year.

Median household income is $25,681/year higher in Riverside. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $542,100 in Riverside.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Riverside — common questions

Is Houston or Riverside cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Houston is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 144 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Riverside?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Riverside it's $1,812/month — a difference of $499/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Riverside?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $88,575 in Riverside. Median household income is $25,681/year higher in Riverside.
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 Riverside?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/mo, while Riverside has a cost index of 144 with rent of $1,812/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Houston details → View Riverside details →

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