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

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Sacramento

California
132

Houston is 33% cheaper than Sacramento.

$1,313/mo ↓ 22%
Median Rent
$1,694/mo ↑ 29%
$62,894/yr ↓ 25%
Median Income
$83,753/yr ↑ 33%
$253,400 ↓ 48%
Home Value
$484,600 ↑ 91%
$1,316/mo ↓ 25%
Owner Costs
$1,752/mo ↑ 33%
2,300,419
Population
524,802

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
24.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Sacramento, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 132 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $381/month cheaper in Houston, saving renters about $4,572/year.

Median household income is $20,859/year higher in Sacramento. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $484,600 in Sacramento.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Sacramento — common questions

Is Houston or Sacramento cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Houston is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Sacramento?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Sacramento it's $1,694/month — a difference of $381/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Sacramento?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $83,753 in Sacramento. Median household income is $20,859/year higher in Sacramento.
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 Sacramento?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/mo, while Sacramento has a cost index of 132 with rent of $1,694/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Houston details → View Sacramento details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Houston and Sacramento

Houston vs. Chicago Houston vs. Phoenix Houston vs. Los Angeles Houston vs. Philadelphia Houston vs. New York Houston vs. San Antonio Sacramento vs. Tucson Sacramento vs. Kansas City Sacramento vs. Fresno Sacramento vs. Mesa Sacramento vs. Albuquerque Sacramento vs. Atlanta