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

Houston

Texas
88
VS

San Bernardino

California
109

Houston is 19% cheaper than San Bernardino.

$1,313/mo ↓ 8%
Median Rent
$1,433/mo ↑ 9%
$62,894/yr ↓ 2%
Median Income
$63,988/yr ↑ 2%
$253,400 ↓ 34%
Home Value
$384,900 ↑ 52%
$1,316/mo ↓ 11%
Owner Costs
$1,478/mo ↑ 12%
2,300,419
Population
221,774

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
26.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and San Bernardino, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 109 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $120/month cheaper in Houston, saving renters about $1,440/year.

Median household income is $1,094/year higher in San Bernardino. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $384,900 in San Bernardino.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs San Bernardino — common questions

Is Houston or San Bernardino cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Houston is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 109 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and San Bernardino?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in San Bernardino it's $1,433/month — a difference of $120/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or San Bernardino?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $63,988 in San Bernardino. Median household income is $1,094/year higher in San Bernardino.
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 San Bernardino?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/mo, while San Bernardino has a cost index of 109 with rent of $1,433/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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More Comparisons

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