California vs Texas
California comes out ahead of Texas on 467 of 806 statistics where one end is better, to 321 with 18 ties. California leads on Tech & Business, Health and Education and 10 more categories. Texas leads on Infrastructure & Energy, Agriculture and Travel.
806 statistics with a better end, compared
Each counts once for the place that ranks better; 18 ties. Totals that mostly track population are left out.
- Wins
- 467
- Avg. percentile
- 54
- Categories led
- 13
- Wins
- 321
- Avg. percentile
- 48
- Categories led
- 3
At a glance
Headline statistics, each ranked among all US states.
| Statistic | California | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 39,345,844 1st of 51 | 32,101,064 2nd of 51 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by State (Census) | $99,122 6th of 51 | $78,476 22nd of 51 |
| Unemployment Rate (%)Unemployment Rate by State (BLS) | 5.5% 50th of 51 | 4.2% tied 30th of 51 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by State (Census) | 12.0% 29th of 51 | 13.8% 40th of 51 |
| Price Level (All Items)Cost of Living by State (Regional Price Parities) | 110.7 51st of 51 | 97.1 27th of 51 |
| Real Personal Income per Person (2017 Dollars)Real Personal Income by State | $63,028 13th of 51 | $58,219 27th of 51 |
| Average Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by State (BLS) | $80,690 5th of 51 | $65,750 24th of 51 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by State (Census) | $2,036 51st of 51 | $1,403 33rd of 51 |
| Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by State (FBI) | 432.7 44th of 51 | 344.9 31st of 51 |
| Heating Degree Days per YearClimate by State (1991–2020 Averages) | 2,814 9th of 48 | 1,820 3rd of 48 |
By category
Average percentile on each category's widely ranked statistics.
- Tech & BusinessCalifornia · 48 statistics
- Infrastructure & EnergyTexas · 36 statistics
- HealthCalifornia · 189 statistics
- AgricultureTexas · 17 statistics
- EducationCalifornia · 51 statistics
- Crime & SafetyCalifornia · 75 statistics
- PopulationCalifornia · 125 statistics
- Politics & GovernmentCalifornia · 119 statistics
- TravelTexas · 29 statistics
- GeographyCalifornia · 25 statistics
- SportsCalifornia · 16 statistics
- CultureCalifornia · 78 statistics
- EnvironmentCalifornia · 40 statistics
- Facts & TriviaCalifornia · 18 statistics
- EconomicsCalifornia · 290 statistics
- LawCalifornia · 69 statistics
Biggest differences
The 30 statistics where their rankings differ most, among rankings of at least 26 US states.
| Statistic | California | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| % Change in Prison Pop. 2021-2022Prison Population by State | -3,833.0% 1st of 50 | 5,859.0% 50th of 50 |
| % Change in Prison Pop. 2022 to 2023Prison Population by State | -1,646.0% 1st of 50 | 9,633.0% 50th of 50 |
| Regular Gas, Avg Price per GallonGas Price by State | $5.87 51st of 51 | $3.62 2nd of 51 |
| Premium Gas, Avg Price per GallonGas Price by State | $6.28 51st of 51 | $4.47 tied 2nd of 51 |
| Viability RankFarming-Friendly States | 48th 48th of 50 | 1st 1st of 50 |
| Avg Diesel PriceDiesel Fuel Prices by State | $7.49 per gallon 51st of 51 | $5.15 per gallon 4th of 51 |
| COLI Grocery Costs IndexGrocery Prices by State | 109.3 49th of 51 | 95.3 2nd of 51 |
| Mid-Grade Gas, Avg Price per GallonGas Price by State | $6.09 51st of 51 | $4.10 4th of 51 |
| Weather RankBest States to Retire | 1st 1st of 50 | 47th 47th of 50 |
| Fuel Prices (1-10)Best States for Camping | 0.95 1st of 49 | 9.62 46th of 49 |
| Diesel Gas Tax (￠/gallon)Gas Taxes by State | 87.32 ￠/gallon 51st of 51 | 20 ￠/gallon tied 4th of 51 |
| Diesel Gas Tax ($/gallon)Gas Taxes by State | $0.873/gallon 51st of 51 | $0.200/gallon tied 4th of 51 |
| Community Environment RankSaddest States | 5th 5th of 50 | 50th 50th of 50 |
| MidwifeNursing Pay by State | $154,500 1st of 37 | $92,560 34th of 37 |
| Gas Tax (¢/gallon)Gas Taxes by State | 70.92 ￠/gallon 51st of 51 | 20 ￠/gallon tied 5th of 51 |
| Gas Tax ($/gallon)Gas Taxes by State | $0.709/gallon 51st of 51 | $0.200/gallon tied 5th of 51 |
| Climate RankFarming-Friendly States | 4th 4th of 50 | 48th 48th of 50 |
| Annual Grocery Cost (GoBanking)Grocery Prices by State | $6,586 47th of 49 | $5,799 4th of 49 |
| Groceries Costs IndexCost of Living Index by State | 109.8 49th of 51 | 95.9 tied 4th of 51 |
| SSI Lobbying Disclosure ScoreMost Corrupt States | 87.9 2nd of 50 | 50 45th of 50 |
| Weekly Grocery Cost (GoBanking)Grocery Prices by State | $127 48th of 50 | $112 tied 4th of 50 |
| Individual Income Tax RankBest State To Incorporate In | 49th 50th of 51 | 7th 7th of 51 |
| Avg. Internet SpeedAverage Internet Speed by State | 93 51st of 51 | 425.9 9th of 51 |
| Fiscal Freedom RankMost Libertarian States | 48th 48th of 50 | 7th 7th of 50 |
| Local Taxes RankBest States to Retire | 48th 48th of 50 | 7th 7th of 50 |
| Overall ScoreBest States to Retire | 21.61 48th of 50 | 29.07 7th of 50 |
| Cost of LivingPension-Friendly States | 47 48th of 49 | 95 tied 6th of 49 |
| Tipped WagesMinimum Wage by State | $16.90 2nd of 49 | $2.13 tied last of 49 |
| COLI Transportation Costs IndexLeast Expensive States | 136.7 51st of 51 | 92.8 10th of 51 |
| State Rank All GovtsPublic Land by State | 7th 7th of 50 | 47th 47th of 50 |
Quick answers
- Which is better, California or Texas?
- California comes out ahead of Texas on 467 of 806 statistics where one end is better, to 321 with 18 ties. California leads on Tech & Business, Health and Education and 10 more categories. Texas leads on Infrastructure & Energy, Agriculture and Travel. Statistics where neither end is better, and totals that mostly track population, are not counted.
- Which has more people, California or Texas?
- California has a population of 39,345,844 (1st of 51 US states) and Texas has 32,101,064 (2nd of 51).
- How do California and Texas compare on Median Household Income?
- Median Household Income: California $99,122 (6th of 51), Texas $78,476 (22nd of 51) among US states. California ranks better.
- How do California and Texas compare on Unemployment Rate (%)?
- Unemployment Rate (%): California 5.5% (50th of 51), Texas 4.2% (tied 30th of 51) among US states. Texas ranks better.
- Where does California beat Texas most clearly?
- California ranks far ahead on % Change in Prison Pop. 2021-2022 (Prison Population by State): -3,833.0% vs 5,859.0%; % Change in Prison Pop. 2022 to 2023 (Prison Population by State): -1,646.0% vs 9,633.0%; Weather Rank (Best States to Retire): 1st vs 47th.
- Where does Texas beat California most clearly?
- Texas ranks far ahead on Regular Gas, Avg Price per Gallon (Gas Price by State): $3.62 vs $5.87; Premium Gas, Avg Price per Gallon (Gas Price by State): $4.47 vs $6.28; Viability Rank (Farming-Friendly States): 1st vs 48th.
More matchups
Other comparisons with California or Texas.
- Alabama vs California
- Alaska vs California
- Arizona vs California
- Arkansas vs California
- California vs Colorado
- California vs Connecticut
- California vs Delaware
- California vs District of Columbia
- Alabama vs Texas
- Alaska vs Texas
- Arizona vs Texas
- Arkansas vs Texas
- Colorado vs Texas
- Connecticut vs Texas
- Delaware vs Texas
- District of Columbia vs Texas