City vs city
Houston, TX vs Sacramento, CA
- Rent is 31% lower in Houston (median $1,361/mo vs $1,779/mo in Sacramento).
- Homes cost 82% less in Houston ($278k vs $506k median value).
- On a $75k salary, you'd have about $663 more a month after taxes and rent in Houston.
- Houston has no state income tax on wages; Sacramento does.
- Schools rate higher in Houston (3.4/10 vs 2.1/10).
- Sacramento has less violent crime (7.2 vs 8.9 per 1,000 residents; the US rate is 3.6).
- Houston has milder winters (55°F vs 49°F average).
- Sacramento gets more sun (265 vs 204 sunny days a year).
| Houston | Sacramento | |
|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $1,361/mo | $1,779/mo |
| Median home value | $278k | $506k |
| Median household income | $65k | $87k |
| Left each month on $75k (after taxes and rent) | $3,772 | $3,109 |
| State income tax on wages | None | Yes |
| School rating | 3.4/10 | 2.1/10 |
| Violent crime | 2.5× the US rate | 2.0× the US rate |
| Summer average | 94°F | 94°F |
| Winter average | 55°F | 49°F |
| Sunny days a year | 204 | 265 |
| Walk score | 49 | 48 |
| Population | 2,328,253 | 528,706 |
Population, income, home value and rent: U.S. Census Bureau ACS. Taxes: single filer, 2026 federal and state rates, before any city income tax. Violent crime per 1,000 residents; US rate 3.6.
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