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

Ontario

California
152
VS

The Woodlands

Texas
139

Ontario is 9% more expensive than The Woodlands.

$1,916/mo ↑ 7%
Median Rent
$1,792/mo ↓ 6%
$82,806/yr ↓ 41%
Median Income
$141,353/yr ↑ 71%
$568,000 ↑ 18%
Home Value
$479,400 ↓ 16%
$1,967/mo ↓ 2%
Owner Costs
$2,005/mo ↑ 2%
178,347
Population
116,916

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

27.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
15.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Ontario, CA and The Woodlands, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 152 and 139 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $124/month cheaper in The Woodlands, saving renters about $1,488/year.

Median household income is $58,547/year higher in The Woodlands. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Ontario is $568,000 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

Ontario vs The Woodlands — common questions

Is Ontario 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 152 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Ontario and The Woodlands?
Median rent in Ontario is $1,916/month and in The Woodlands it's $1,792/month — a difference of $124/month.
Which city has higher income, Ontario or The Woodlands?
Median household income is $82,806 in Ontario and $141,353 in The Woodlands. Median household income is $58,547/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 Ontario or The Woodlands?
It depends on your priorities. Ontario has a cost index of 152 with median rent of $1,916/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 Ontario details → View The Woodlands details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Ontario and The Woodlands

Ontario vs. Aurora Ontario vs. Eugene Ontario vs. Chattanooga Ontario vs. Elk Grove Ontario vs. Fort Lauderdale Ontario vs. Santa Rosa The Woodlands vs. Lakeland The Woodlands vs. Evansville The Woodlands vs. Clearwater The Woodlands vs. Brandon The Woodlands vs. North Charleston The Woodlands vs. West Jordan