Texas and California are two of the largest states in the union, both in terms of population and in terms of geography. The cost of living can vary significantly between individual counties or cities within either state. That said, the average Californian faces higher costs of living than the average Texan.


Measuring Cost of Living


Comparing Typical Expenses in Texas and California







Lumping expenses such as entertainment, dining out, pet care and other possible expenses together, the "Other" category is another win for Texas; its average residents spend 14% less here.

Problems with Cost of Living




Both are located in southern Texas, where not only living is affordable, but food is as well. A recent study done by Kiplinger revealed that of a few hundred grocery stores that were analyzed by affordability and pricing, only a handful had cheaper goods than the stores in Harlingen. Both towns are close to Mexico and, while located in a hot, dry state, both are within an hour's drive of the beach. MCallen hosts a 15-acre birding habitat, too.


    Find out why states such as California, Hawaii and New York are such expensive places to live, even for those residents who ... Read Answer >>
  2. What is the difference between the cost of living and the cost of inflation?

Related Articles
  1. Investing

    American Recession: What's happening in Texas?

    Learn why the oil bust may not mean disaster for Texas' economy and discover what Texas has done to prepare for the downturn.
  2. Financial Advisor

    Ready to Retire? Better to Avoid These States

    Expenses matter in retirement. If you're living in a state with high taxes and/or a high cost of living, you could be fighting a losing battle.
  3. Investing

    Top 6 Factors For Homebuyers

    As a first time buyer, there is much to consider. Here we have a look at some of the factors that may influence your decision, and suggest which factors are worth taking a second look at.
  4. Personal Finance

    5 U.S. Cities with High Paychecks and a Low Cost of Living

    Consider these U.S. hubs where workers get paid competitive salaries while enjoying a high quality of life due to a low cost of living.
  5. Personal Finance

    Top 10 Most Expensive Cities in the U.S.

    New York City tops the list of most expensive cities in the U.S., and five of them are located in California.
  6. Insights

    The 5 Cities Where $50K Goes Furthest

    If you are comparing cost of living to see where a $50,000 salary will stretch the furthest, these 5 cities are at the top of the list.
  7. Retirement

    10 Best Retirement Cities in the U.S.

    Discover 10 destinations across the United States whose mix of affordability, weather and amenities attracts significant retiree populations.
  8. Financial Advisor

    Top 10 States for Affordable Long-Term Care

  9. Managing Wealth

    The 10 Most Expensive ZIP Codes in Houston

    You can get a lot more house for your money in Houston – the largest city in Texas and the fourth largest in the U.S. – than you can in New York City.
  10. Insights

    Best U.S. Cities for Working in Finance Jobs

  1. Calexit

    "Calexit" refers to the secession of California from the United ...
  2. Use Tax

    A sales tax on purchases made outside one’s state of residence ...
  3. Living Wage

  4. Assisted Living

    A type of housing that combines healthcare and help with activities ...
  5. Household Income

  6. Affordability Index

    A measure of a population's ability to afford to purchase a particular ...
Trading Center