Cost of Living: Long Beach, CA vs The Woodlands, TX (2026)

Long Beach

California
169
VS

The Woodlands

Texas
139

Long Beach is 22% more expensive than The Woodlands.

$1,803/mo ≈ Same
Median Rent
$1,792/mo ≈ Same
$83,969/yr ↓ 41%
Median Income
$141,353/yr ↑ 68%
$762,200 ↑ 59%
Home Value
$479,400 ↓ 37%
$1,890/mo ↓ 6%
Owner Costs
$2,005/mo ↑ 6%
458,491
Population
116,916

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

25.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
15.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Long Beach, CA and The Woodlands, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 169 and 139 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is comparable in both cities, with less than $50/month separating them.

Median household income is $57,384/year higher in The Woodlands. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Long Beach is $762,200 compared to $479,400 in The Woodlands.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Long Beach vs The Woodlands — common questions

Is Long Beach or The Woodlands cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, The Woodlands is cheaper to live in with an index of 139 compared to 169 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Long Beach and The Woodlands?
Median rent in Long Beach is $1,803/month and in The Woodlands it's $1,792/month — a difference of $11/month.
Which city has higher income, Long Beach or The Woodlands?
Median household income is $83,969 in Long Beach and $141,353 in The Woodlands. Median household income is $57,384/year higher in The Woodlands.
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 Long Beach or The Woodlands?
It depends on your priorities. Long Beach has a cost index of 169 with median rent of $1,803/mo, while The Woodlands has a cost index of 139 with rent of $1,792/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Long Beach details → View The Woodlands details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Long Beach and The Woodlands

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