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

Santa Clara

California
307
VS

Sugar Land

Texas
135

Santa Clara is 127% more expensive than Sugar Land.

$2,985/mo ↑ 54%
Median Rent
$1,939/mo ↓ 35%
$173,670/yr ↑ 26%
Median Income
$137,511/yr ↓ 21%
$1,527,900 ↑ 276%
Home Value
$406,600 ↓ 73%
$3,051/mo ↑ 55%
Owner Costs
$1,969/mo ↓ 35%
129,239
Population
109,735

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

20.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
16.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Clara, CA and Sugar Land, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 307 and 135 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,046/month cheaper in Sugar Land, saving renters about $12,552/year.

Median household income is $36,159/year higher in Santa Clara. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Clara is $1,527,900 compared to $406,600 in Sugar Land.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Clara vs Sugar Land — common questions

Is Santa Clara or Sugar Land cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Sugar Land is cheaper to live in with an index of 135 compared to 307 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Clara and Sugar Land?
Median rent in Santa Clara is $2,985/month and in Sugar Land it's $1,939/month — a difference of $1,046/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Clara or Sugar Land?
Median household income is $173,670 in Santa Clara and $137,511 in Sugar Land. Median household income is $36,159/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 Sugar Land?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Clara has a cost index of 307 with median rent of $2,985/mo, while Sugar Land has a cost index of 135 with rent of $1,939/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Santa Clara details → View Sugar Land details →

More Comparisons

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Santa Clara vs. Carrollton Santa Clara vs. Fargo Santa Clara vs. New Haven Santa Clara vs. Norman Santa Clara vs. Sterling Heights Santa Clara vs. Lewisville Sugar Land vs. Santa Maria Sugar Land vs. Greeley Sugar Land vs. Ventura Sugar Land vs. South Fulton Sugar Land vs. Temecula Sugar Land vs. Sparks