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

Sunnyvale

California
341
VS

The Woodlands

Texas
139

Sunnyvale is 145% more expensive than The Woodlands.

$3,065/mo ↑ 71%
Median Rent
$1,792/mo ↓ 42%
$181,862/yr ↑ 29%
Median Income
$141,353/yr ↓ 22%
$1,816,600 ↑ 279%
Home Value
$479,400 ↓ 74%
$3,016/mo ↑ 50%
Owner Costs
$2,005/mo ↓ 34%
153,455
Population
116,916

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

20.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
15.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Sunnyvale, CA and The Woodlands, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 341 and 139 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,273/month cheaper in The Woodlands, saving renters about $15,276/year.

Median household income is $40,509/year higher in Sunnyvale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Sunnyvale is $1,816,600 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

Sunnyvale vs The Woodlands — common questions

Is Sunnyvale 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 341 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Sunnyvale and The Woodlands?
Median rent in Sunnyvale is $3,065/month and in The Woodlands it's $1,792/month — a difference of $1,273/month.
Which city has higher income, Sunnyvale or The Woodlands?
Median household income is $181,862 in Sunnyvale and $141,353 in The Woodlands. Median household income is $40,509/year higher in Sunnyvale.
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 Sunnyvale or The Woodlands?
It depends on your priorities. Sunnyvale has a cost index of 341 with median rent of $3,065/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 Sunnyvale details → View The Woodlands details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Sunnyvale and The Woodlands

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