CostByCity

Houston, TX vs Santa Maria, CA

Cost of Living Comparison

Houston, TX is more affordable by 10.2 index points

Side-by-Side Comparison

CategoryHouston, TXSanta Maria, CADifference
Overall98.6108.8-10.2
Housing104.5151.4-46.9
Goods100.6105.2-4.5
Utilities95.3149.8-54.5
Other Services95.6100.3-4.7

Income & Housing Comparison

MetricHouston, TXSanta Maria, CA
Median Household Income$78,061$92,332
Median Home Value$253,600$714,800
Median Monthly Rent$1,301$1,964
Per Capita Income$39,997$44,635

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Houston, TX or Santa Maria, CA cheaper to live in?
Houston, TX is more affordable. The cost of living difference is 10.2 index points (Houston, TX: 98.6, Santa Maria, CA: 108.8).
Where is housing cheaper, Houston, TX or Santa Maria, CA?
Housing is more affordable in Houston, TX. Housing index: Houston, TX (104.5) vs Santa Maria, CA (151.4).