Cost of Living Comparison
HomeCitiesAffordableBest CitiesGet Help
Compare Cities
HomeCitiesAffordableBest CitiesGet HelpCompare Cities
Get Assistance
Estates Logo

The most comprehensive cost of living comparison tool for US cities. Make informed relocation decisions with real data from trusted sources.

Explore

  • Browse Cities
  • Affordable Cities
  • Best Cities
  • Compare Cities

Data

  • San Francisco
  • New York
  • Austin
  • Denver

Top Routes

  • NYC → Austin
  • LA → Phoenix
  • SF → Denver
  • Chicago → Dallas

© 2026 Estates. All rights reserved.

Privacy PolicyTerms of ServiceMethodologySitemap

Data sourced from US Census, BLS, DOT, EPA, Zillow (aggregated)

Last updated: Feb 2026

  1. Home
  2. /
  3. Compare

Santa BarbaravsHouston

Last updated: Feb 2026
Data Methodology

Moving from Santa Barbara to Houston will save you approximately $500,103 on median home prices (57.1% less). Monthly rent is $2,084 cheaper in Houston. Note that median income is 20.3% lower in Houston.

Housing
57.1% cheaper
Rent
57.1% cheaper
View Santa BarbaraView Houston
Houston

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Santa Barbara, CA

Median Home Price$875,258
Monthly Rent$3,647
Median Income$82,922
Population91,852
Loading...
Destination

Houston, TX

Median Home Price
$375,155-57.1%
Monthly Rent
$1,563-57.1%
Median Income
$66,050-20.3%
Population2,298,628
Loading...

Cities Location Map

Housing

Rent History & Trends

Understanding how rental prices have changed over time helps predict future affordability and make informed decisions about your move.

Santa Barbara

2015N/A
2020$2,603
2025$3,647

Houston

2015$1,208
2020$1,301
2025$1,563

Annual Cost of Living

A comprehensive breakdown of annual living expenses helps you budget effectively for your new life in Houston.

Santa Barbara

Housing$14,527
Food$6,850
Transport$14,083
Healthcare$11,373
Total$68,463

Houston

Housing$8,287
Food$5,434
Transport$13,321
Healthcare$10,777
Total$43,458
Costs

Key Insights

57.1%
Housing Cost
cheaper in Houston
$2,084
Monthly Rent Difference
savings per month
20.3%
Income Level
lower median income

Demographics

Santa Barbara

Population91,852
Median Age37.8 yrs
Violent Crime Rate481 per 100k
Property Crime Rate2165 per 100k

Houston

Population2,298,628
Median Age32.6 yrs
Violent Crime Rate453 per 100k
Property Crime Rate2172 per 100k

Safety & Crime Statistics

Santa Barbara

481
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
2165
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

Houston

453
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
2172
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

Ready to explore more?

Compare other cities or explore detailed information about each location.

Explore Santa BarbaraExplore Houston

Need Help Settling In?

Moving to a new city can be overwhelming. Our relocation experts are here to help you find the perfect neighborhood, schools, and local services.

No commitment • Response within 24 hours

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in Houston or Santa Barbara?

Houston is 57.1% cheaper for housing than Santa Barbara. The median home price in Houston is $375,155 compared to $875,258 in Santa Barbara, a savings of $500,103.

What is the rent difference between Santa Barbara and Houston?

Monthly rent in Houston averages $1,563, while Santa Barbara averages $3,647. That's a savings of $2,084 per month, or $25,005 annually.

How do incomes compare between Santa Barbara and Houston?

The median household income in Houston is $66,050, which is 20.3% lower than Santa Barbara's median of $82,922.

Which city is safer: Santa Barbara or Houston?

Santa Barbara has a violent crime rate of 481 per 100k residents, while Houston has 453 per 100k. Houston is statistically safer.

What is Estates?

Estates is a comprehensive cost of living comparison platform covering over 3,900 US cities. We help you compare housing prices, rent, income levels, crime rates, demographics, and climate data to make informed relocation decisions. Our data comes from trusted sources including Zillow, the U.S. Census Bureau, FBI, and NOAA.

Popular Comparisons

New York → PhiladelphiaLos Angeles → AustinSan Francisco → AustinChicago → PhoenixNew York → Los AngelesBoston → DenverSeattle → AustinSan Francisco → DenverLos Angeles → PhoenixNew York → AtlantaChicago → DallasWashington DC → CharlotteLos Angeles → SeattleSan Francisco → PortlandNew York → PhiladelphiaBoston → AustinChicago → NashvilleSan Diego → PhoenixDenver → AustinSeattle → Denver