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

Santa Clara

California
307
VS

The Woodlands

Texas
139

Santa Clara is 121% more expensive than The Woodlands.

$2,985/mo ↑ 67%
Median Rent
$1,792/mo ↓ 40%
$173,670/yr ↑ 23%
Median Income
$141,353/yr ↓ 19%
$1,527,900 ↑ 219%
Home Value
$479,400 ↓ 69%
$3,051/mo ↑ 52%
Owner Costs
$2,005/mo ↓ 34%
129,239
Population
116,916

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
15.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Clara, CA and The Woodlands, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 307 and 139 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,193/month cheaper in The Woodlands, saving renters about $14,316/year.

Median household income is $32,317/year higher in Santa Clara. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Clara is $1,527,900 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

Santa Clara vs The Woodlands — common questions

Is Santa Clara 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 307 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Clara and The Woodlands?
Median rent in Santa Clara is $2,985/month and in The Woodlands it's $1,792/month — a difference of $1,193/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Clara or The Woodlands?
Median household income is $173,670 in Santa Clara and $141,353 in The Woodlands. Median household income is $32,317/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 The Woodlands?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Clara has a cost index of 307 with median rent of $2,985/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 Santa Clara details → View The Woodlands details →

More Comparisons

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