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

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Sunnyvale

California
341

Houston is 74% cheaper than Sunnyvale.

$1,313/mo ↓ 57%
Median Rent
$3,065/mo ↑ 133%
$62,894/yr ↓ 65%
Median Income
$181,862/yr ↑ 189%
$253,400 ↓ 86%
Home Value
$1,816,600 ↑ 617%
$1,316/mo ↓ 56%
Owner Costs
$3,016/mo ↑ 129%
2,300,419
Population
153,455

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
20.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Sunnyvale, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 341 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,752/month cheaper in Houston, saving renters about $21,024/year.

Median household income is $118,968/year higher in Sunnyvale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $1,816,600 in Sunnyvale.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Sunnyvale — common questions

Is Houston or Sunnyvale cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Houston is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 341 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Sunnyvale?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Sunnyvale it's $3,065/month — a difference of $1,752/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Sunnyvale?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $181,862 in Sunnyvale. Median household income is $118,968/year higher in Sunnyvale.
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 Sunnyvale?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/mo, while Sunnyvale has a cost index of 341 with rent of $3,065/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Houston details → View Sunnyvale details →

More Comparisons

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