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

The Woodlands

Texas
139
VS

Costa Mesa

California
228

The Woodlands is 39% cheaper than Costa Mesa.

$1,792/mo ↓ 25%
Median Rent
$2,395/mo ↑ 34%
$141,353/yr ↑ 28%
Median Income
$110,073/yr ↓ 22%
$479,400 ↓ 55%
Home Value
$1,054,700 ↑ 120%
$2,005/mo ↓ 19%
Owner Costs
$2,462/mo ↑ 23%
116,916
Population
110,538

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
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing The Woodlands, TX and Costa Mesa, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 139 and 228 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $603/month cheaper in The Woodlands, saving renters about $7,236/year.

Median household income is $31,280/year higher in The Woodlands. Home values also differ significantly — the median in The Woodlands is $479,400 compared to $1,054,700 in Costa Mesa.

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 Costa Mesa — common questions

Is The Woodlands or Costa Mesa cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, The Woodlands is cheaper to live in with an index of 139 compared to 228 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between The Woodlands and Costa Mesa?
Median rent in The Woodlands is $1,792/month and in Costa Mesa it's $2,395/month — a difference of $603/month.
Which city has higher income, The Woodlands or Costa Mesa?
Median household income is $141,353 in The Woodlands and $110,073 in Costa Mesa. Median household income is $31,280/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 Costa Mesa?
It depends on your priorities. The Woodlands has a cost index of 139 with median rent of $1,792/mo, while Costa Mesa has a cost index of 228 with rent of $2,395/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View The Woodlands details → View Costa Mesa details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for The Woodlands and Costa Mesa

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