Side-by-side comparison

Houston vs San Diego

Cost of living comparison for Houston, Texas and San Diego, California.

Bottom line

San Diego is approximately 42% more expensive than Houston. A single person needs about $4,511/mo in San Diego versus $3,185/mo in Houston.

Rent in Houston vs San Diego

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Houston · Studio

$1,226

San Diego · Studio

$2,145

San Diego is $919 (75%) higher than Houston

Houston · 1 bedroom

$1,279

San Diego · 1 bedroom

$2,328

San Diego is $1,049 (82%) higher than Houston

Houston · 2 bedroom

$1,529

San Diego · 2 bedroom

$2,881

San Diego is $1,352 (88%) higher than Houston

Houston · 3 bedroom

$2,038

San Diego · 3 bedroom

$3,852

San Diego is $1,814 (89%) higher than Houston

Income & earnings in Houston vs San Diego

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Houston · Household income

$73,104

San Diego · Household income

$102,285

San Diego is $29,181 (40%) higher than Houston

Houston · Individual earnings

$41,738

San Diego · Individual earnings

$49,552

San Diego is $7,814 (19%) higher than Houston

Houston · Per capita

$39,978

San Diego · Per capita

$49,891

San Diego is $9,913 (25%) higher than Houston

Home values in Houston vs San Diego

Average values and property tax.

Houston · Average home value

$255,000

San Diego · Average home value

$791,600

San Diego is $536,600 (210%) higher than Houston

Houston · Annual property tax

$4,382

San Diego · Annual property tax

$5,542

San Diego is $1,160 (26%) higher than Houston

Energy in Houston vs San Diego

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Houston · Monthly electricity

$167

San Diego · Monthly electricity

$167

Houston and San Diego are about the same

Houston · Monthly gas

$32

San Diego · Monthly gas

$50

San Diego is $18 (56%) higher than Houston

Houston · Annual total

$2,388

San Diego · Annual total

$2,604

San Diego is $216 (9%) higher than Houston

Healthcare in Houston vs San Diego

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Houston · Individual premium

$480

San Diego · Individual premium

$480

Houston and San Diego are about the same

Houston · Family premium

$1,350

San Diego · Family premium

$1,350

Houston and San Diego are about the same

Houston · Uninsured rate

21.2%

San Diego · Uninsured rate

6.8%

Houston is 14.4% (212%) higher than San Diego

Taxes in Houston vs San Diego

State income and sales tax.

Houston · State income tax

0.0%

San Diego · State income tax

13.3%

San Diego is 13.3% higher than Houston

Houston · State sales tax

6.3%

San Diego · State sales tax

7.3%

San Diego is 1.0% (16%) higher than Houston

Houston · Combined sales tax

8.2%

San Diego · Combined sales tax

8.8%

San Diego is 0.7% (8%) higher than Houston

Transportation in Houston vs San Diego

Commute time and travel modes.

Houston · Average commute

29.0 min

San Diego · Average commute

25.9 min

Houston is 3.1 min (12%) higher than San Diego

Houston · Drive alone

72.4%

San Diego · Drive alone

67.6%

Houston is 4.8% (7%) higher than San Diego

Houston · Public transit

2.1%

San Diego · Public transit

2.2%

San Diego is 0.1% (5%) higher than Houston

Monthly cost estimates in Houston vs San Diego

All categories combined.

Houston · Single person

$3,185

San Diego · Single person

$4,511

San Diego is $1,326 (42%) higher than Houston

Houston · Couple

$4,536

San Diego · Couple

$6,941

San Diego is $2,405 (53%) higher than Houston

Houston · Family

$7,187

San Diego · Family

$10,119

San Diego is $2,932 (41%) higher than Houston

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Houston and San Diego.

Is Houston or San Diego more expensive?

San Diego is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,185/mo in Houston, Texas and $4,511/mo in San Diego, California, a difference of about 42%.

What is the rent difference between Houston and San Diego?

Average one-bedroom rent in Houston, Texas is $1,279/mo versus $2,328/mo in San Diego, California. San Diego is approximately $1,049 (82%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Houston or San Diego?

San Diego has the higher average household income. Houston households earn approximately $73,104 per year; San Diego households earn approximately $102,285 per year.

More on Houston and San Diego

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

Houston profile San Diego 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.