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

The Woodlands

Texas
139
VS

Santa Maria

California
137

The Woodlands and Santa Maria have a similar cost of living.

$1,792/mo ↓ 3%
Median Rent
$1,842/mo ↑ 3%
$141,353/yr ↑ 67%
Median Income
$84,617/yr ↓ 40%
$479,400 ≈ Same
Home Value
$478,200 ≈ Same
$2,005/mo ↑ 12%
Owner Costs
$1,789/mo ↓ 11%
116,916
Population
109,880

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 Santa Maria, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 139 and 137 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $50/month cheaper in The Woodlands, saving renters about $600/year.

Median household income is $56,736/year higher in The Woodlands. Home values also differ significantly — the median in The Woodlands is $479,400 compared to $478,200 in Santa Maria.

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 Santa Maria — common questions

Is The Woodlands or Santa Maria cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Santa Maria is cheaper to live in with an index of 137 compared to 139 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between The Woodlands and Santa Maria?
Median rent in The Woodlands is $1,792/month and in Santa Maria it's $1,842/month — a difference of $50/month.
Which city has higher income, The Woodlands or Santa Maria?
Median household income is $141,353 in The Woodlands and $84,617 in Santa Maria. Median household income is $56,736/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 Santa Maria?
It depends on your priorities. The Woodlands has a cost index of 139 with median rent of $1,792/mo, while Santa Maria has a cost index of 137 with rent of $1,842/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View The Woodlands details → View Santa Maria details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for The Woodlands and Santa Maria

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