David Eisenhauer, Founder and CEO of zero Ω, said on X that California’s housing costs are significantly inflated compared to Texas and questioned the value residents receive in return.
“First, the cost of living has become absurd,” said Eisenhauer. “Median home price in California? $785,000. That’s 2.3x higher than Texas ($336,000) You’re paying a premium to live in a state that’s falling apart.”
According to the Public Policy Institute of California, the state is grappling with a severe housing affordability crisis due to decades of underbuilding, restrictive zoning laws, and limited urban land availability. These challenges have created significant barriers for new home construction and contributed to one of the highest homelessness rates in the United States. As a result, housing affordability remains a central policy issue for state leaders and local governments alike.
As of 2024, Raleigh Realty reported that California had the second least affordable housing market in the country, with a median home price of $785,000 and an affordability index score of 1.67. In contrast, Texas ranked as the 15th most affordable state, with a median home price of $336,000 and an affordability score of 3.91. These scores reflect the ratio between median income and median home price in each state.
A 2025 analysis by the Independent Institute found that California’s housing crisis is exacerbated by local-level NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) activism. This activism has prevented or delayed numerous housing developments through zoning resistance and community opposition. The report highlighted that local ordinances, lengthy permitting processes, and lawsuits have led to reduced housing supply, keeping prices high. The authors concluded that these barriers continue to outpace state-level reform efforts.
Eisenhauer is known for his work as Founder and CEO of zero Ω, a company he launched after leaving a role at the world’s largest renewable energy corporation. He began working in blockchain in 2017 and has since built a career spanning marketing, finance, business development, and executive consulting. Eisenhauer is recognized for applying a results-driven mindset supported by data analysis and strategic creativity, focusing on reshaping digital infrastructure through Web3 technologies.
