Is San Jose, CA cheaper than Houston, TX?

Based on cost of living data, San Jose, CA is 108.3% more expensive than Houston, TX. This translates to spending an extra $8122 per month.

What salary do I need in San Jose, CA to live like I do in Houston, TX?

If you earn $150,000 in Houston, TX, you'd need approximately $247,461.14 in San Jose, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Houston, TX and San Jose, CA?

Housing in San Jose, CA is 341.3% more expensive than in Houston, TX. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $3,445/month in San Jose, CA compared to $1,500/month in Houston, TX.

How much can I save per month by moving from Houston, TX to San Jose, CA?

Living in San Jose, CA costs approximately $8122 more per month than Houston, TX, or $97461 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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Houston, TX

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San Jose, CA

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Houston, TX

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $8.1K/month more in San Jose, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $247.5K in San Jose, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX area

Overall Cost

↑ 108.3%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$8,122

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$97.5K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Houston, TX

Population:2305K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$245K

San Jose, CA

Population:1013K

Cost Index:208

Median Home:$1.35M

Houston, TX

The Lone Star State

2.3M

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Energy capital of the world
•NASA Mission Control
•Diverse port city

Major Industries

EnergyAerospaceHealthcareInternational Trade

San Jose, CA

The Golden State

1.0M

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 1.0M residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Houston, TX vs San Jose, CA

Category	Houston, TX	San Jose, CA	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,191/mo	$9,667/mo	↑ $7,477more	341.3%
🛒Groceries	$911/mo	$1,129/mo	↑ $218more	23.9%
🏥Healthcare	$562/mo	$706/mo	↑ $144more	25.7%
⚡All Utilities	$552/mo	$464/mo	↓ $87.97less	15.9%
📦Other	$1,768/mo	$1,825/mo	↑ $56.92more	3.2%
🚗Transportation	$1,449/mo	$1,407/mo	↓ $42.35less	2.9%

🏠Housing

↑ 341.3%

Houston, TX

$2,191

San Jose, CA

$9,667

Difference

$7,477

🛒Groceries

↑ 23.9%

Houston, TX

$911

San Jose, CA

$1,129

Difference

$218

🏥Healthcare

↑ 25.7%

Houston, TX

$562

San Jose, CA

$706

Difference

$144

⚡All Utilities

↓ 15.9%

Houston, TX

$552

San Jose, CA

$464

Difference

$87.97

less

📦Other

↑ 3.2%

Houston, TX

$1,768

San Jose, CA

$1,825

Difference

$56.92

🚗Transportation

↓ 2.9%

Houston, TX

$1,449

San Jose, CA

$1,407

Difference

$42.35

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,220

To$2,590

↑ $1,370

1 Bed

From$1,260

To$2,950

↑ $1,690

2 Bed

From$1,500

To$3,445

↑ $1,945

3 Bed

From$2,020

To$4,550

↑ $2,530

Houston, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $880–$1,980/mo

San Jose, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,190–$4,060/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,434

Monthly in Houston, TX

$15,199

Monthly in San Jose, CA

$7,765

Difference

Home Values

Houston

San Jose

$245K

Median Value

$1.35M

↓ -3.1%

YoY Change

↓ -2.5%

↑ +23.4%

5-Year Change

↑ +35.5%

$138K - $1.64M

Price Range

$671K - $2.59M

Homes in San Jose are 450% more expensive than Houston

Calculate payment - Houston Calculate payment - San Jose

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $10.6K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$886

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

7.1%

Rate difference

Houston, TX

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Texas State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

San Jose, CA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

California State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,530/month

$102.4K

Additional Tax Information

Houston, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.8%

San Jose, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.