Is Los Angeles, CA cheaper than Houston, TX?

Based on cost of living data, Los Angeles, CA is 79.6% more expensive than Houston, TX. This translates to spending an extra $5969 per month.

What salary do I need in Los Angeles, CA to live like I do in Houston, TX?

If you earn $150,000 in Houston, TX, you'd need approximately $221,626.943 in Los Angeles, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Houston, TX and Los Angeles, CA?

Housing in Los Angeles, CA is 253.7% more expensive than in Houston, TX. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $2,660/month in Los Angeles, CA compared to $1,500/month in Houston, TX.

How much can I save per month by moving from Houston, TX to Los Angeles, CA?

Living in Los Angeles, CA costs approximately $5969 more per month than Houston, TX, or $71627 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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Houston, TX

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Los Angeles, CA

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Houston, TX

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $6.0K/month more in Los Angeles, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $221.6K in Los Angeles, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX area

Overall Cost

↑ 79.6%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$5,969

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$71.6K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Houston, TX

Population:2305K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$245K

Los Angeles, CA

Population:3899K

Cost Index:180

Median Home:$885K

Houston, TX

The Lone Star State

2.3M

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Energy capital of the world
•NASA Mission Control
•Diverse port city

Major Industries

EnergyAerospaceHealthcareInternational Trade

Los Angeles, CA

The Golden State

3.9M

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Mediterranean

Notable Facts

•Entertainment capital of the world
•Major Pacific Rim trade center
•Diverse metropolitan area

Major Industries

EntertainmentTechnologyInternational TradeTourism

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Houston, TX vs Los Angeles, CA

Category	Houston, TX	Los Angeles, CA	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,191/mo	$7,749/mo	↑ $5,559more	253.7%
🚗Transportation	$1,449/mo	$2,158/mo	↑ $709more	48.9%
🛒Groceries	$911/mo	$1,040/mo	↑ $129more	14.1%
📦Other	$1,768/mo	$1,731/mo	↓ $36.83less	2.1%
🏥Healthcare	$562/mo	$554/mo	↓ $8.05less	1.4%
⚡All Utilities	$552/mo	$557/mo	↑ $4.92more	0.9%

🏠Housing

↑ 253.7%

Houston, TX

$2,191

Los Angeles, CA

$7,749

Difference

$5,559

🚗Transportation

↑ 48.9%

Houston, TX

$1,449

Los Angeles, CA

$2,158

Difference

$709

🛒Groceries

↑ 14.1%

Houston, TX

$911

Los Angeles, CA

$1,040

Difference

$129

📦Other

↓ 2.1%

Houston, TX

$1,768

Los Angeles, CA

$1,731

Difference

$36.83

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 1.4%

Houston, TX

$562

Los Angeles, CA

$554

Difference

$8.05

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 0.9%

Houston, TX

$552

Los Angeles, CA

$557

Difference

$4.92

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,220

To$1,910

↑ $690

1 Bed

From$1,260

To$2,135

↑ $875

2 Bed

From$1,500

To$2,660

↑ $1,160

3 Bed

From$2,020

To$3,370

↑ $1,350

Houston, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $880–$1,980/mo

Los Angeles, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,630–$3,130/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,434

Monthly in Houston, TX

$13,790

Monthly in Los Angeles, CA

$6,357

Difference

Home Values

Houston

Los Angeles

$245K

Median Value

$885K

↓ -3.1%

YoY Change

↓ -3.4%

↑ +23.4%

5-Year Change

↑ +13.1%

$138K - $1.64M

Price Range

$531K - $3.01M

Homes in Los Angeles are 261% more expensive than Houston

Calculate payment - Houston Calculate payment - Los Angeles

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $10.6K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$886

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

7.1%

Rate difference

Houston, TX

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Texas State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

Los Angeles, CA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

California State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,530/month

$102.4K

Additional Tax Information

Houston, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.8%

Los Angeles, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.