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

Houston

Texas
88
VS

San Diego

California
197

Houston is 109% cheaper than San Diego.

$1,313/mo ↓ 41%
Median Rent
$2,223/mo ↑ 69%
$62,894/yr ↓ 40%
Median Income
$104,321/yr ↑ 66%
$253,400 ↓ 70%
Home Value
$848,500 ↑ 235%
$1,316/mo ↓ 43%
Owner Costs
$2,308/mo ↑ 75%
2,300,419
Population
1,385,061

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.25%
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 San Diego, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 197 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $910/month cheaper in Houston, saving renters about $10,920/year.

Median household income is $41,427/year higher in San Diego. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $848,500 in San Diego.

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 Diego — common questions

Is Houston or San Diego cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Houston is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 197 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and San Diego?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in San Diego it's $2,223/month — a difference of $910/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or San Diego?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $104,321 in San Diego. Median household income is $41,427/year higher in San Diego.
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 Diego?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/mo, while San Diego has a cost index of 197 with rent of $2,223/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Houston details → View San Diego details →