Side-by-side comparison

Houston vs Sacramento

Cost of living comparison for Houston, Texas and Sacramento, California.

Bottom line

Sacramento is approximately 23% more expensive than Houston. A single person needs about $3,910/mo in Sacramento versus $3,185/mo in Houston.

Rent in Houston vs Sacramento

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Houston · Studio

$1,226

Sacramento · Studio

$1,679

Sacramento is $453 (37%) higher than Houston

Houston · 1 bedroom

$1,279

Sacramento · 1 bedroom

$1,777

Sacramento is $498 (39%) higher than Houston

Houston · 2 bedroom

$1,529

Sacramento · 2 bedroom

$2,206

Sacramento is $677 (44%) higher than Houston

Houston · 3 bedroom

$2,038

Sacramento · 3 bedroom

$2,992

Sacramento is $954 (47%) higher than Houston

Income & earnings in Houston vs Sacramento

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Houston · Household income

$73,104

Sacramento · Household income

$88,724

Sacramento is $15,620 (21%) higher than Houston

Houston · Individual earnings

$41,738

Sacramento · Individual earnings

$47,214

Sacramento is $5,476 (13%) higher than Houston

Houston · Per capita

$39,978

Sacramento · Per capita

$41,989

Sacramento is $2,011 (5%) higher than Houston

Home values in Houston vs Sacramento

Average values and property tax.

Houston · Average home value

$255,000

Sacramento · Average home value

$498,900

Sacramento is $243,900 (96%) higher than Houston

Houston · Annual property tax

$4,382

Sacramento · Annual property tax

$3,768

Houston is $614 (16%) higher than Sacramento

Energy in Houston vs Sacramento

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Houston · Monthly electricity

$167

Sacramento · Monthly electricity

$167

Houston and Sacramento are about the same

Houston · Monthly gas

$32

Sacramento · Monthly gas

$50

Sacramento is $18 (56%) higher than Houston

Houston · Annual total

$2,388

Sacramento · Annual total

$2,604

Sacramento is $216 (9%) higher than Houston

Healthcare in Houston vs Sacramento

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Houston · Individual premium

$480

Sacramento · Individual premium

$480

Houston and Sacramento are about the same

Houston · Family premium

$1,350

Sacramento · Family premium

$1,350

Houston and Sacramento are about the same

Houston · Uninsured rate

21.2%

Sacramento · Uninsured rate

5.1%

Houston is 16.1% (316%) higher than Sacramento

Taxes in Houston vs Sacramento

State income and sales tax.

Houston · State income tax

0.0%

Sacramento · State income tax

13.3%

Sacramento is 13.3% higher than Houston

Houston · State sales tax

6.3%

Sacramento · State sales tax

7.3%

Sacramento is 1.0% (16%) higher than Houston

Houston · Combined sales tax

8.2%

Sacramento · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Sacramento is 0.7% (8%) higher than Houston

Transportation in Houston vs Sacramento

Commute time and travel modes.

Houston · Average commute

29.0 min

Sacramento · Average commute

27.7 min

Houston is 1.3 min (5%) higher than Sacramento

Houston · Drive alone

72.4%

Sacramento · Drive alone

67.6%

Houston is 4.8% (7%) higher than Sacramento

Houston · Public transit

2.1%

Sacramento · Public transit

1.5%

Houston is 0.6% (40%) higher than Sacramento

Monthly cost estimates in Houston vs Sacramento

All categories combined.

Houston · Single person

$3,185

Sacramento · Single person

$3,910

Sacramento is $725 (23%) higher than Houston

Houston · Couple

$4,536

Sacramento · Couple

$5,939

Sacramento is $1,403 (31%) higher than Houston

Houston · Family

$7,187

Sacramento · Family

$8,932

Sacramento is $1,745 (24%) higher than Houston

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Houston and Sacramento.

Is Houston or Sacramento more expensive?

Sacramento is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,185/mo in Houston, Texas and $3,910/mo in Sacramento, California, a difference of about 23%.

What is the rent difference between Houston and Sacramento?

Average one-bedroom rent in Houston, Texas is $1,279/mo versus $1,777/mo in Sacramento, California. Sacramento is approximately $498 (39%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Houston or Sacramento?

Sacramento has the higher average household income. Houston households earn approximately $73,104 per year; Sacramento households earn approximately $88,724 per year.

More on Houston and Sacramento

Read full profiles for either area, or pick a different pair to compare.

Houston profile Sacramento profile Compare different areas

About this data

Figures come from official U.S. government sources including the Census Bureau (ACS), HUD Fair Market Rents, and the Energy Information Administration. See our methodology for details.