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

The Woodlands

Texas
139
VS

Murrieta

California
175

The Woodlands is 21% cheaper than Murrieta.

$1,792/mo ↓ 23%
Median Rent
$2,330/mo ↑ 30%
$141,353/yr ↑ 29%
Median Income
$109,780/yr ↓ 22%
$479,400 ↓ 21%
Home Value
$606,900 ↑ 27%
$2,005/mo ↓ 16%
Owner Costs
$2,380/mo ↑ 19%
116,916
Population
111,621

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
25.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing The Woodlands, TX and Murrieta, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 139 and 175 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $538/month cheaper in The Woodlands, saving renters about $6,456/year.

Median household income is $31,573/year higher in The Woodlands. Home values also differ significantly — the median in The Woodlands is $479,400 compared to $606,900 in Murrieta.

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 Murrieta — common questions

Is The Woodlands or Murrieta cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, The Woodlands is cheaper to live in with an index of 139 compared to 175 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between The Woodlands and Murrieta?
Median rent in The Woodlands is $1,792/month and in Murrieta it's $2,330/month — a difference of $538/month.
Which city has higher income, The Woodlands or Murrieta?
Median household income is $141,353 in The Woodlands and $109,780 in Murrieta. Median household income is $31,573/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 Murrieta?
It depends on your priorities. The Woodlands has a cost index of 139 with median rent of $1,792/mo, while Murrieta has a cost index of 175 with rent of $2,330/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View The Woodlands details → View Murrieta details →

More Comparisons

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