CostByCity

Houston, TX vs Santa Cruz, CA

Cost of Living Comparison

Houston, TX is more affordable by 11.3 index points

Side-by-Side Comparison

CategoryHouston, TXSanta Cruz, CADifference
Overall98.6109.9-11.3
Housing104.5164.3-59.8
Goods100.6105.2-4.5
Utilities95.3152.7-57.4
Other Services95.6100.3-4.7

Income & Housing Comparison

MetricHouston, TXSanta Cruz, CA
Median Household Income$78,061$104,409
Median Home Value$253,600$951,300
Median Monthly Rent$1,301$2,094
Per Capita Income$39,997$52,887

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Houston, TX or Santa Cruz, CA cheaper to live in?
Houston, TX is more affordable. The cost of living difference is 11.3 index points (Houston, TX: 98.6, Santa Cruz, CA: 109.9).
Where is housing cheaper, Houston, TX or Santa Cruz, CA?
Housing is more affordable in Houston, TX. Housing index: Houston, TX (104.5) vs Santa Cruz, CA (164.3).