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Moving from California to Texas

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Tech, beaches, mountains — and the country's highest housing costs. vs. No income tax, mega-economies, hot summers, big swings.

CA state flag
Living now

California

Capital: Sacramento

Median household income $91,905 · winter low 45°F · 258 sunny days

Tech, beaches, mountains — and the country's highest housing costs.

TX state flag
Moving to

Texas

Capital: Austin

Median household income $75,780 · winter low 38°F · 232 sunny days

No income tax, mega-economies, hot summers, big swings.

Texas has an overall price level 97.1 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
California
110.7
Texas
97.1
Texas has 12% lower overall price level
Housing index
California
154.3
Texas
96.5
Texas has 37% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
California
102.7
Texas
99.3
Texas has 3.3% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
California
101.6
Texas
99.6
Texas has 2.0% lower utilities
Electricity rate
California
33.4 ¢/kWh
Texas
16.4 ¢/kWh
Texas has 51% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
California
102.1
Texas
99.4
Texas has 2.7% lower transportation
Median home value
California
$759,500
Texas
$313,200
Texas is 59% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
California
$1,835/mo
Texas
$1,307/mo
Texas is 29% cheaper to rent

Sources: EPA AirNow (live) state-level

Summer high 96°F · Winter low 38°F · 232 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
California
84°F
Texas
96°F
Texas is 14% more summer highs
Avg winter low
California
45°F
Texas
38°F
Texas is 16% less winter lows
Sunny days / year
California
59
Texas
232
Texas has 293% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
California
258 in
Texas
28 in
Texas is 89% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
California
25.5
Texas
57
Texas has 124% higher AQI
Snow / year
California
68 in
Texas
3 in
Texas is 96% less annual snowfall

Get the full CaliforniaTexas report

Schools, healthcare, taxes, transportation, lifestyle, crime, family fit, move logistics, AI assistant, and 90-day timeline.

See the full comparison

Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in Texas than California?

Texas's overall price level is roughly 96.3 (US avg = 100), vs about 113 for California — based on BEA Regional Price Parities. Housing is the dominant driver of the difference. Run a comparison for the full, current breakdown.

What's the income tax difference?

California tops out at 13.3% income tax. Texas tops out at 0%.

How long do I have to register my vehicle in Texas?

Most Texas residents must register a vehicle within 30-60 days of moving. Check the piomover report for state-specific deadlines.

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