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

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Ventura

California
183

Houston is 52% cheaper than Ventura.

$1,313/mo ↓ 38%
Median Rent
$2,101/mo ↑ 60%
$62,894/yr ↓ 37%
Median Income
$100,407/yr ↑ 60%
$253,400 ↓ 67%
Home Value
$778,700 ↑ 207%
$1,316/mo ↓ 38%
Owner Costs
$2,118/mo ↑ 61%
2,300,419
Population
109,900

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
25.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Ventura, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 183 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $788/month cheaper in Houston, saving renters about $9,456/year.

Median household income is $37,513/year higher in Ventura. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $778,700 in Ventura.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Ventura — common questions

Is Houston or Ventura cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Houston is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 183 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Ventura?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Ventura it's $2,101/month — a difference of $788/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Ventura?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $100,407 in Ventura. Median household income is $37,513/year higher in Ventura.
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 Ventura?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/mo, while Ventura has a cost index of 183 with rent of $2,101/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Houston details → View Ventura details →

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