San Diego vs Houston
Side-by-side comparison of cost of living, state income tax, housing estimates, and salary equivalents between San Diego, CA and Houston, TX.
San Diego, CA
COL Index
160
Monthly Budget
$8,000
State Tax
12.3%
Population
1.4M
Houston, TX
COL Index
96
Monthly Budget
$4,800
State Tax
None
Population
2.3M
San Diego is 67% more expensive than Houston
Monthly Cost Breakdown
Estimated monthly costs for a typical household in each city.
| Category | San Diego | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $3,135 | $1,551 | +$1,584 |
| Groceries | $962 | $629 | +$333 |
| Transport | $1,232 | $771 | +$461 |
| Healthcare | $568 | $389 | +$179 |
| Utilities | $480 | $288 | +$192 |
| Other | $1,776 | $1,162 | +$614 |
| Total | $8,000 | $4,800 | +$3,200 |
Tax Comparison on $100K Salary
Estimated annual taxes for a single filer earning $100,000 in each city.
| Component | San Diego (CA) | Houston (TX) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Tax | $13,170 | $13,170 | $0 |
| State Tax | $5,953 | $0 | +$5,953 |
| FICA | $7,650 | $7,650 | $0 |
| Total Tax | $26,773 | $20,820 | +$5,953 |
| Take-Home Pay | $73,227 | $79,180 | -$5,953 |
Salary Equivalent
What a San Diego salary is worth in Houston (and vice versa), adjusted for cost of living.
| San Diego Salary | Equivalent in Houston | Houston Salary | Equivalent in San Diego |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $30,000 | $50,000 | $83,333 |
| $75,000 | $45,000 | $75,000 | $125,000 |
| $100,000 | $60,000 | $100,000 | $166,667 |
| $150,000 | $90,000 | $150,000 | $250,000 |