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

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Stockton

California
115

Houston is 23% cheaper than Stockton.

$1,313/mo ↓ 12%
Median Rent
$1,495/mo ↑ 14%
$62,894/yr ↓ 18%
Median Income
$76,851/yr ↑ 22%
$253,400 ↓ 39%
Home Value
$412,900 ↑ 63%
$1,316/mo ↓ 15%
Owner Costs
$1,555/mo ↑ 18%
2,300,419
Population
320,470

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
23.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Stockton, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 115 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $182/month cheaper in Houston, saving renters about $2,184/year.

Median household income is $13,957/year higher in Stockton. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $412,900 in Stockton.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Stockton — common questions

Is Houston or Stockton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Houston is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 115 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Stockton?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Stockton it's $1,495/month — a difference of $182/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Stockton?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $76,851 in Stockton. Median household income is $13,957/year higher in Stockton.
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 Stockton?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/mo, while Stockton has a cost index of 115 with rent of $1,495/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Houston details → View Stockton details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Houston and Stockton

Houston vs. Chicago Houston vs. Phoenix Houston vs. Los Angeles Houston vs. Philadelphia Houston vs. New York Houston vs. San Antonio Stockton vs. Lexington Stockton vs. Corpus Christi Stockton vs. Henderson Stockton vs. Riverside Stockton vs. Anaheim Stockton vs. Orlando