San Jose vs Houston
Side-by-side comparison of cost of living, state income tax, housing estimates, and salary equivalents between San Jose, CA and Houston, TX.
San Jose, CA
COL Index
214
Monthly Budget
$10,700
State Tax
12.3%
Population
1.0M
Houston, TX
COL Index
96
Monthly Budget
$4,800
State Tax
None
Population
2.3M
San Jose is 123% more expensive than Houston
Monthly Cost Breakdown
Estimated monthly costs for a typical household in each city.
| Category | San Jose | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $4,472 | $1,551 | +$2,921 |
| Groceries | $1,243 | $629 | +$614 |
| Transport | $1,621 | $771 | +$850 |
| Healthcare | $719 | $389 | +$330 |
| Utilities | $642 | $288 | +$354 |
| Other | $2,294 | $1,162 | +$1,132 |
| Total | $10,700 | $4,800 | +$5,900 |
Tax Comparison on $100K Salary
Estimated annual taxes for a single filer earning $100,000 in each city.
| Component | San Jose (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 Jose salary is worth in Houston (and vice versa), adjusted for cost of living.
| San Jose Salary | Equivalent in Houston | Houston Salary | Equivalent in San Jose |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $22,430 | $50,000 | $111,458 |
| $75,000 | $33,645 | $75,000 | $167,188 |
| $100,000 | $44,860 | $100,000 | $222,917 |
| $150,000 | $67,290 | $150,000 | $334,375 |