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

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Visalia

California
104

Houston is 15% cheaper than Visalia.

$1,313/mo ↓ 6%
Median Rent
$1,397/mo ↑ 6%
$62,894/yr ↓ 21%
Median Income
$79,952/yr ↑ 27%
$253,400 ↓ 26%
Home Value
$340,600 ↑ 34%
$1,316/mo ↓ 13%
Owner Costs
$1,509/mo ↑ 15%
2,300,419
Population
142,649

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
21.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Visalia, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 104 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $84/month cheaper in Houston, saving renters about $1,008/year.

Median household income is $17,058/year higher in Visalia. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $340,600 in Visalia.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Visalia — common questions

Is Houston or Visalia cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Houston is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 104 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Visalia?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Visalia it's $1,397/month — a difference of $84/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Visalia?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $79,952 in Visalia. Median household income is $17,058/year higher in Visalia.
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 Visalia?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/mo, while Visalia has a cost index of 104 with rent of $1,397/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Houston details → View Visalia details →

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