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

Sacramento

California
132
VS

The Woodlands

Texas
139

Sacramento is 5% cheaper than The Woodlands.

$1,694/mo ↓ 5%
Median Rent
$1,792/mo ↑ 6%
$83,753/yr ↓ 41%
Median Income
$141,353/yr ↑ 69%
$484,600 ↑ 1%
Home Value
$479,400 ↓ 1%
$1,752/mo ↓ 13%
Owner Costs
$2,005/mo ↑ 14%
524,802
Population
116,916

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
15.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Sacramento, CA and The Woodlands, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 139 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $98/month cheaper in Sacramento, saving renters about $1,176/year.

Median household income is $57,600/year higher in The Woodlands. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Sacramento is $484,600 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

Sacramento vs The Woodlands — common questions

Is Sacramento or The Woodlands cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Sacramento is cheaper to live in with an index of 132 compared to 139 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Sacramento and The Woodlands?
Median rent in Sacramento is $1,694/month and in The Woodlands it's $1,792/month — a difference of $98/month.
Which city has higher income, Sacramento or The Woodlands?
Median household income is $83,753 in Sacramento and $141,353 in The Woodlands. Median household income is $57,600/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 Sacramento or The Woodlands?
It depends on your priorities. Sacramento has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,694/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.
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More Comparisons

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