California
140.5
composite · rank #49
- Housing
- 189.5
- Grocery
- 110.5
- Utilities
- 134.6
Compare different states
Q1 2026
Q1 2026California vs Texas Cost of Living
Texas has the lower cost of living by 49.8 index points. Compare category indexes and equivalent salaries in both directions.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
Lower cost of living
Texas is lower
49.8 index points lower. A $100,000 lifestyle in California is roughly $64,555 in Texas.
Side-by-side cost of living scoreboard
Texas
90.7
composite · rank #13
- Housing
- 77.7
- Grocery
- 95.9
- Utilities
- 104
Category-by-category comparison
| Category | California | Texas | Lower cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grocery | 110.5 | 95.9 | Texas |
| Housing | 189.5 | 77.7 | Texas |
| Utilities | 134.6 | 104 | Texas |
| Transportation | 142 | 90.9 | Texas |
| Health care | 111.1 | 96.8 | Texas |
| Misc. goods & services | 116 | 95.6 | Texas |
Grocery
California110.5
Texas95.9
Lower cost: Texas
Housing
California189.5
Texas77.7
Lower cost: Texas
Utilities
California134.6
Texas104
Lower cost: Texas
Transportation
California142
Texas90.9
Lower cost: Texas
Health care
California111.1
Texas96.8
Lower cost: Texas
Misc. goods & services
California116
Texas95.6
Lower cost: Texas
Equivalent salary examples
Salary needed in the destination state to match purchasing power in the origin state.
| Origin salary | Needed in Texas | Needed in California |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $32,278 | $77,453 |
| $75,000 | $48,416 | $116,180 |
| $100,000 | $64,555 | $154,906 |
| $150,000 | $96,833 | $232,359 |
| $250,000 | $161,388 | $387,266 |
$50,000 origin salary
In Texas$32,278
In California$77,453
$75,000 origin salary
In Texas$48,416
In California$116,180
$100,000 origin salary
In Texas$64,555
In California$154,906
$150,000 origin salary
In Texas$96,833
In California$232,359
Housing gap
California housing is 189.5; Texas is 77.7.
Salary planning
$100,000 in California is roughly $64,555 in Texas.
Statewide averages
Indexes average participating urban areas. Local rents and wages can differ sharply inside either state.
California vs Texas cost of living FAQs
Texas has the lower cost of living by 49.8 index points. The composite indexes are 140.5 in California and 90.7 in Texas (US average = 100).
About $64,555 in Texas would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in California, based on the composite indexes.
About $154,906 in California would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in Texas.
Housing indexes are 189.5 in California and 77.7 in Texas. Housing is often the largest driver, but groceries, utilities, transportation, health care, and other goods also matter.
No. These are statewide averages of participating urban areas. Your city, neighborhood, housing choice, family size, and spending mix can produce a very different personal cost of living.
Texas has the lower average index, but wages, taxes, insurance, schools, and job opportunities should also be compared.
Related tools
Relocation salary calculatorCity COL + equivalent salaryUS paycheck calculatorFederal, state, and FICA take-homeSalary comparison by stateTake-home ladders by stateSales tax by stateCombined state + average local ratesProperty tax by stateEffective rates and homeowner estimatesHomeownership cost by stateACS owner costs and buyer estimatesTotal tax burden by stateIncome, sales, and property togetherState paycheck tax compareSide-by-side state income tax
Compare another pair
Compare any two states
Composite index, category costs, and equivalent-salary examples.
Related cost of living comparisons
Data period Q1 2026. Statewide urban-area averages; not personal budget calculations.