City vs city
Houston, TX vs San Diego, CA
- Rent is 70% lower in Houston (median $1,361/mo vs $2,313/mo in San Diego).
- Homes cost 226% less in Houston ($278k vs $907k median value).
- On a $75k salary, you'd have about $1,197 more a month after taxes and rent in Houston.
- Houston has no state income tax on wages; San Diego does.
- Schools rate higher in San Diego (4.3/10 vs 3.4/10).
- San Diego has less violent crime (3.8 vs 8.9 per 1,000 residents; the US rate is 3.6).
- San Diego gets more sun (266 vs 204 sunny days a year).
| Houston | San Diego | |
|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $1,361/mo | $2,313/mo |
| Median home value | $278k | $907k |
| Median household income | $65k | $108k |
| Left each month on $75k (after taxes and rent) | $3,772 | $2,575 |
| State income tax on wages | None | Yes |
| School rating | 3.4/10 | 4.3/10 |
| Violent crime | 2.5× the US rate | about the US rate |
| Summer average | 94°F | 77°F |
| Winter average | 55°F | 58°F |
| Sunny days a year | 204 | 266 |
| Walk score | 49 | 52 |
| Population | 2,328,253 | 1,389,526 |
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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