Compare property taxes, home prices, and cost of living across US states.
VS
Metric
California
Texas
Advantage
Median Home PriceTypical home sale price
$785,000
$315,000
Texas
Property Tax Rate% of assessed value
0.73%
1.80%
California
Annual Property TaxOn median-priced home
$5,731
$5,670
Texas
State Income TaxTax rate range
1-13.3%
None
Texas
Cost of Living Index100 = National average
142.2
92.1
Texas
Monthly Housing Cost Comparison
Estimated monthly costs for a median-priced home with 20% down at 6.75% interest:
California
$5,234/mo
Mortgage (P&I)$4,073
Property Tax$478
Insurance (est.)$683
Texas
$2,428/mo
Mortgage (P&I)$1,634
Property Tax$473
Insurance (est.)$321
Moving from California to Texas could save you approximately $2,806/month or $33,672/year in housing costs.
Understanding the Metrics
Median Home Price
The middle point of all home sales in the state. Half of homes sold for more, half for less. This gives a better picture than average prices, which can be skewed by expensive outliers.
Property Tax Rate
The effective property tax rate as a percentage of home value. Note that actual taxes depend on assessed value, which may differ from market value.
State Income Tax
States with no income tax may have higher property or sales taxes. Consider your total tax burden, not just one type.
Cost of Living Index
Compares overall living costs (housing, food, utilities, transportation) to the national average of 100. Above 100 = more expensive than average.
Consider More Than Numbers
While costs are important, also consider job opportunities, climate, proximity to family, schools, healthcare, and quality of life factors when comparing states. Visit our state guides for detailed information about each state.