City comparison
San Diego vs Houston Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between San Diego (141.4) and Houston (105.8).
San Diego Index
141.4
Houston Index
105.8
San Diego Rent
$3,700
Houston Rent
$2,175
San Diego Home price
$738,000
Houston Home price
$390,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in San Diego to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Houston.
Equivalent salary in Houston
$87,543
Based on the relative overall cost of living between San Diego and Houston.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | San Diego | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 194 | 118 | -76.0 (-39.2%) |
| Groceries | 122 | 97 | -25.0 (-20.5%) |
| Transportation | 109 | 104 | -5.0 (-4.6%) |
| Healthcare | 110 | 96 | -14.0 (-12.7%) |
| Utilities | 108 | 101 | -7.0 (-6.5%) |
| Miscellaneous | 118 | 99 | -19.0 (-16.1%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$6,650 / $4,740
San Diego / Houston
Couple
$11,040 / $7,870
San Diego / Houston
Family
$15,560 / $11,090
San Diego / Houston
Frequently Asked Questions
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View San Diego city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for San Diego.
View Houston city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Houston.
Last updated: Q1 2026
Data as of Q1 2026. Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, HUD Fair Market Rents.
Cost of living indexes use the national average as baseline (100). Data is updated periodically.