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

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Santa Clarita

California
197

Houston is 55% cheaper than Santa Clarita.

$1,313/mo ↓ 47%
Median Rent
$2,486/mo ↑ 89%
$62,894/yr ↓ 48%
Median Income
$119,926/yr ↑ 91%
$253,400 ↓ 65%
Home Value
$721,000 ↑ 185%
$1,316/mo ↓ 50%
Owner Costs
$2,649/mo ↑ 101%
2,300,419
Population
229,021

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
24.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Santa Clarita, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 197 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,173/month cheaper in Houston, saving renters about $14,076/year.

Median household income is $57,032/year higher in Santa Clarita. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $721,000 in Santa Clarita.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Santa Clarita — common questions

Is Houston or Santa Clarita 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 Santa Clarita?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Santa Clarita it's $2,486/month — a difference of $1,173/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Santa Clarita?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $119,926 in Santa Clarita. Median household income is $57,032/year higher in Santa Clarita.
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 Santa Clarita?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/mo, while Santa Clarita has a cost index of 197 with rent of $2,486/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Houston and Santa Clarita

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