Home › Compare › San Jose, CA vs Houston, TX

Cost of Living: San Jose, CA vs Houston, TX

A data-driven comparison of housing, groceries, transportation, taxes, job market and more. See which city gives you more for your money.

36.0% Houston, TX is cheaper overall
57.2% 57.2% cheaper housing
16.1% 16.1% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 57.2% cheaper
San Jose
215
Houston
92
🛒 Groceries 16.1% cheaper
San Jose
112
Houston
94
🚗 Transportation 16.7% cheaper
San Jose
120
Houston
100
🏥 Healthcare 18.1% cheaper
San Jose
116
Houston
95
⚡ Utilities 3.6% cheaper
San Jose
110
Houston
106

Detailed Breakdown

Category San Jose, CA Houston, TX Difference
Overall Cost Index1509636.0% less
Housing2159257.2% less
Median 1BR Rent$2,800$1,20057.1% less
Median Home Price$1,350,000$295,00078.1% less
Groceries1129416.1% less
Transportation12010016.7% less
Healthcare1169518.1% less
Utilities1101063.6% less

Tax Comparison

Tax Type San Jose, CA Houston, TX
State Income Tax13.30% (top)None (0%)
State Sales Tax7.25%6.25%
Avg Property Tax Rate0.71%1.60%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneNone

What You'd Need to Earn

San Jose, CA
$140,000
Median household income
Houston, TX
$67,000
Median household income
⚠️ Heads up: Houston costs more but median income is lower. You may need to earn more to maintain the same standard of living.

Salary Equivalent Calculator

Find out what you'd need to earn in Houston to maintain your San Jose lifestyle.

→
$—

Based on overall cost index: San Jose (150) vs Houston (96). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
San Jose3.5%
Houston4.5%
Job Growth (YoY)
San Jose3.5%
Houston3.1%
Top Industries
San JoseTech, Hardware, SaaS
HoustonEnergy, Healthcare, Aerospace

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
San Jose29 min
Houston30 min
Walk Score
San Jose50
Houston33
Air Quality (AQI)
San Jose40
Houston52
Avg Temperature
San Jose60°F
Houston70°F
Population
San Jose983,489
Houston2,304,580

Moving from San Jose to Houston?

Get free, no-obligation moving quotes from top-rated movers. Compare prices and save up to 40% on your move.

Get My Free Moving Estimate →
✓ 500+ vetted movers ✓ Free quotes in 24hrs ✓ No obligation

Planning Your Move?

Here are some helpful resources if you're considering relocating.

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in San Jose and Houston → 🚚 Get Moving QuotesCompare prices from top movers → 📈 Check Home ValuesSee real estate trends in both cities → 💼 Search JobsFind open positions in Houston →

Compare Other Cities

San Jose vs Austin → San Jose vs Denver → San Jose vs Nashville → Houston vs Raleigh → Houston vs Portland → Houston vs Phoenix →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Jose or Houston cheaper to live in?+
Houston is the more affordable option overall. The biggest difference is in housing costs, where the gap is about 57.2%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in San Jose vs Houston?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $2,800/month in San Jose and $1,200/month in Houston — a difference of about $1,600 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, San Jose or Houston?+
California has a state income tax of 13.30% (top) and sales tax of 7.25%. Texas has a state income tax of None (0%) and sales tax of 6.25%. Consider all tax types together when evaluating total tax burden, as states with no income tax often compensate with higher sales or property taxes.
Can I afford to move from San Jose to Houston?+
Median household income in San Jose is $140,000 compared to $67,000 in Houston. Use the salary calculator above to see what you'd need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.
What about buying a home in San Jose vs Houston?+
The median home price in San Jose is $1,350,000 versus $295,000 in Houston — a difference of $1,055,000. Property tax rates also differ: California averages 0.71% while Texas averages 1.60%.