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Houston vs San Diego: prices, pay and housing
| Houston, TX | San Diego, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 98.6 | 111.9 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $67,610 | $79,060 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $49,410 | $58,690 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $68,550 | $70,661 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $56,394 | $61,188 |
| Typical home value | $308,306 | $946,365 |
| Median household income | $80,458 | $102,285 |
| Home price / household income | 3.8 | 9.3 |
| Metro population | 7,274,714 | 3,282,782 |
*Single filer, federal and state income tax and FICA (2026 rules); city income taxes included where we model them.
Compare with another city or state
Equivalent salary: Houston to San Diego
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Houston to San Diego, multiply your salary by 1.134.
| Salary in Houston | Same buying power in San Diego |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Houston | $56,721 in San Diego |
| $75,000 in Houston | $85,082 in San Diego |
| $100,000 in Houston | $113,442 in San Diego |
| $150,000 in Houston | $170,163 in San Diego |
| $200,000 in Houston | $226,885 in San Diego |
Salaries for common jobs in Houston and San Diego
| Job | Houston | San Diego | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $25,830 | $36,830 | $26,189 / $32,917 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,630 | $40,870 | $28,014 / $36,528 |
| Retail Salespersons | $34,640 | $41,850 | $35,122 / $37,404 |
| Cashiers | $30,100 | $39,820 | $30,518 / $35,589 |
| Registered Nurses | $100,290 | $145,060 | $101,684 / $129,649 |
| Office Clerks, General | $43,320 | $51,310 | $43,922 / $45,859 |
| General and Operations Managers | $146,320 | $144,610 | $148,354 / $129,246 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $29,180 | $47,700 | $29,586 / $42,632 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $39,910 | $44,270 | $40,465 / $39,567 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $32,660 | $41,970 | $33,114 / $37,511 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $38,670 | $42,790 | $39,208 / $38,244 |
| Software Developers | $133,130 | $163,300 | $134,981 / $145,951 |
| Security Guards | $38,270 | $43,110 | $38,802 / $38,530 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $92,150 | $100,980 | $93,431 / $90,252 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $32,970 | $45,770 | $33,428 / $40,907 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
More cost of living comparisons
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Houston vs San Diego: questions
Is Houston more expensive than San Diego?
No. BEA prices are 98.6 in Houston, TX and 111.9 in San Diego, CA (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in San Diego to match $100,000 in Houston?
About $113,442, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Houston or San Diego?
San Diego, CA: once prices are counted, its average salary buys more.
Sources and how to read this page
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas.
- Home values: Zillow Home Value Index; income and population: Census ACS 5-year 2023.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.