Cost of Living: Santa Clara, CA vs Abilene, TX (2026)

Santa Clara

California
307
VS

Abilene

Texas
71

Santa Clara is 236% more expensive than Abilene.

$2,985/mo ↑ 170%
Median Rent
$1,106/mo ↓ 63%
$173,670/yr ↑ 177%
Median Income
$62,720/yr ↓ 64%
$1,527,900 ↑ 754%
Home Value
$178,900 ↓ 88%
$3,051/mo ↑ 174%
Owner Costs
$1,114/mo ↓ 63%
129,239
Population
127,130

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

20.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Clara, CA and Abilene, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 307 and 71 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,879/month cheaper in Abilene, saving renters about $22,548/year.

Median household income is $110,950/year higher in Santa Clara. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Clara is $1,527,900 compared to $178,900 in Abilene.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Clara vs Abilene — common questions

Is Santa Clara or Abilene cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Abilene is cheaper to live in with an index of 71 compared to 307 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Clara and Abilene?
Median rent in Santa Clara is $2,985/month and in Abilene it's $1,106/month — a difference of $1,879/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Clara or Abilene?
Median household income is $173,670 in Santa Clara and $62,720 in Abilene. Median household income is $110,950/year higher in Santa Clara.
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 Santa Clara or Abilene?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Clara has a cost index of 307 with median rent of $2,985/mo, while Abilene has a cost index of 71 with rent of $1,106/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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