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

The Woodlands

Texas
139
VS

Carlsbad

California
253

The Woodlands is 45% cheaper than Carlsbad.

$1,792/mo ↓ 33%
Median Rent
$2,678/mo ↑ 49%
$141,353/yr ↑ 1%
Median Income
$139,326/yr ↓ 1%
$479,400 ↓ 59%
Home Value
$1,156,900 ↑ 141%
$2,005/mo ↓ 28%
Owner Costs
$2,801/mo ↑ 40%
116,916
Population
114,500

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

15.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing The Woodlands, TX and Carlsbad, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 139 and 253 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $886/month cheaper in The Woodlands, saving renters about $10,632/year.

Median household income is $2,027/year higher in The Woodlands. Home values also differ significantly — the median in The Woodlands is $479,400 compared to $1,156,900 in Carlsbad.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

The Woodlands vs Carlsbad — common questions

Is The Woodlands or Carlsbad cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, The Woodlands is cheaper to live in with an index of 139 compared to 253 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between The Woodlands and Carlsbad?
Median rent in The Woodlands is $1,792/month and in Carlsbad it's $2,678/month — a difference of $886/month.
Which city has higher income, The Woodlands or Carlsbad?
Median household income is $141,353 in The Woodlands and $139,326 in Carlsbad. Median household income is $2,027/year higher in The Woodlands.
How do taxes compare between Texas and California?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to The Woodlands or Carlsbad?
It depends on your priorities. The Woodlands has a cost index of 139 with median rent of $1,792/mo, while Carlsbad has a cost index of 253 with rent of $2,678/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View The Woodlands details → View Carlsbad details →

More Comparisons

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