San Diego vs Houston: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of San Diego, CA and Houston, TX, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Houston, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,383,987 | 2,296,253 |
| Median household income | $98,657 | $60,440 |
| Median home value | $783,300 | $235,000 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $2,080 | $1,235 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing San Diego, CA and Houston, TX comes down to what you value most. Houston has the lower median home value, and Houston has the lower median rent.
San Diego has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in San Diego or Houston?
- By median home value, Houston is the cheaper of the two ($235,000 vs $783,300). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, San Diego or Houston?
- Median household income is $98,657 in San Diego versus $60,440 in Houston, per the US Census Bureau.