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

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Simi Valley

California
200

Houston is 56% cheaper than Simi Valley.

$1,313/mo ↓ 48%
Median Rent
$2,513/mo ↑ 91%
$62,894/yr ↓ 47%
Median Income
$117,703/yr ↑ 87%
$253,400 ↓ 66%
Home Value
$753,500 ↑ 197%
$1,316/mo ↓ 49%
Owner Costs
$2,576/mo ↑ 96%
2,300,419
Population
125,769

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
25.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Simi Valley, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 200 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,200/month cheaper in Houston, saving renters about $14,400/year.

Median household income is $54,809/year higher in Simi Valley. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $753,500 in Simi Valley.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Simi Valley — common questions

Is Houston or Simi Valley cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Houston is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 200 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Simi Valley?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Simi Valley it's $2,513/month — a difference of $1,200/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Simi Valley?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $117,703 in Simi Valley. Median household income is $54,809/year higher in Simi Valley.
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 Simi Valley?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/mo, while Simi Valley has a cost index of 200 with rent of $2,513/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Houston details → View Simi Valley details →

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