Cost of Living: Irvine, CA vs Pearland, TX (2026)

Irvine

California
256
VS

Pearland

Texas
121

Irvine is 112% more expensive than Pearland.

$2,893/mo ↑ 64%
Median Rent
$1,759/mo ↓ 39%
$129,647/yr ↑ 15%
Median Income
$112,470/yr ↓ 13%
$1,115,400 ↑ 237%
Home Value
$330,900 ↓ 70%
$2,904/mo ↑ 48%
Owner Costs
$1,962/mo ↓ 32%
308,160
Population
125,983

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
18.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Irvine, CA and Pearland, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 256 and 121 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,134/month cheaper in Pearland, saving renters about $13,608/year.

Median household income is $17,177/year higher in Irvine. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Irvine is $1,115,400 compared to $330,900 in Pearland.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Irvine vs Pearland — common questions

Is Irvine or Pearland cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Pearland is cheaper to live in with an index of 121 compared to 256 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Irvine and Pearland?
Median rent in Irvine is $2,893/month and in Pearland it's $1,759/month — a difference of $1,134/month.
Which city has higher income, Irvine or Pearland?
Median household income is $129,647 in Irvine and $112,470 in Pearland. Median household income is $17,177/year higher in Irvine.
How do taxes compare between California and Texas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Irvine or Pearland?
It depends on your priorities. Irvine has a cost index of 256 with median rent of $2,893/mo, while Pearland has a cost index of 121 with rent of $1,759/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Irvine details → View Pearland details →

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