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

San Jose

California
254
VS

The Woodlands

Texas
139

San Jose is 83% more expensive than The Woodlands.

$2,617/mo ↑ 46%
Median Rent
$1,792/mo ↓ 32%
$141,565/yr ≈ Same
Median Income
$141,353/yr ≈ Same
$1,187,800 ↑ 148%
Home Value
$479,400 ↓ 60%
$2,775/mo ↑ 38%
Owner Costs
$2,005/mo ↓ 28%
990,054
Population
116,916

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

22.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
15.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and The Woodlands, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 139 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $825/month cheaper in The Woodlands, saving renters about $9,900/year.

Median household income is $212/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 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

San Jose vs The Woodlands — common questions

Is San Jose 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 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and The Woodlands?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in The Woodlands it's $1,792/month — a difference of $825/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or The Woodlands?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $141,353 in The Woodlands. Median household income is $212/year higher in San Jose.
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 San Jose or The Woodlands?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/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 San Jose details → View The Woodlands details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for San Jose and The Woodlands

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