📊 Real Data
Cost of Living: Texas vs California
Every major expense category compared. Real 2026 numbers. See exactly how much you'll save.
| Category | California | Texas | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Price | $750,000 | $334,000 | $416,000 |
| Monthly Mortgage | $4,200 | $2,100 | $2,100/mo |
| State Income Tax | Up to 13.3% | 0% | $8K-$20K+/yr |
| Property Tax | 0.75% | 1.60% | TX higher |
| Groceries | $1,000/mo | $850/mo | $1,800/yr |
| Utilities | $350/mo | $280/mo | $840/yr |
| Gas | $5.50/gal | $3.20/gal | ~$1,380/yr |
| Childcare (2 kids) | $2,000/mo | $1,500/mo | $6,000/yr |
| Home Insurance | $1,800/yr | $3,200/yr | CA cheaper |
| Auto Insurance | $2,200/yr | $2,100/yr | $100/yr |
$20,000 — $46,000+
Annual savings for a typical family moving from California to Texas
Over 10 years: $200K-$460K+ back in your pocket
Calculate Your Exact Savings →Where Texas Costs MORE
Let's be honest — Texas isn't cheaper in everything:
- Property taxes — 1.60% vs 0.75% in CA. On a $334K home that's $5,344 vs $2,500. But homestead exemptions help.
- Home insurance — $3,200 vs $1,800 avg. Hail and tornado risk drive it up.
- Summer electricity — AC runs hard June-Sept. Budget $300-$400/mo in peak summer.
Even with these added costs, the absence of state income tax and dramatically lower housing costs mean most families come out $20K-$40K ahead annually.