Quick answer
Houston is 74% cheaper than Los Angeles overall. A $100K salary in Los Angeles is equivalent to $26,000 in Houston.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Los Angeles vs Houston Cost of Living (2026)
Side-by-side cost comparison plus a salary calculator to find your equivalent pay in either city.
Overall COL difference
Houston is 74% cheaper
1BR rent difference
-47% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$26,000
Los Angeles vs Houston: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$2,400/mo
$1,280/mo
-47%
2BR median rent
$3,200/mo
$1,620/mo
-49%
Median home price
$850K
$305K
-64%
Avg monthly groceries
$440
$350
-20%
Avg monthly utilities
$140
$190
+36%
State income tax
Up to 13.3%
None
Houston saves
Walk score
68/100
48/100
Los Angeles better
Transit score
53/100
36/100
Los Angeles better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Houston to maintain the same standard of living as your current Los Angeles salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$16,000
$227,000
$80,000
$21,000
$302,000
$100,000
$26,000
$378,000
$120,000
$32,000
$453,000
$150,000
$40,000
$567,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Los Angeles vs Houston
Who Each City Is Best For
Los Angeles is best for
- ✓entertainment industry workers
- ✓creatives
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓entrepreneurs
Houston is best for
- ✓energy sector workers
- ✓healthcare professionals
- ✓remote workers
- ✓families on a budget
FAQs
Is Los Angeles or Houston cheaper to live in?
Houston is 74% cheaper than Los Angeles overall. Houston 1BR rent ($1,280/mo) vs Los Angeles ($2,400/mo). Median home price: Houston $305K vs Los Angeles $850K.
How much salary do I need in Houston to match $100K in Los Angeles?
$26,000 in Houston is equivalent to $100,000 in Los Angeles based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (-47% difference) and state taxes (Los Angeles: Up to 13.3% vs Houston: None).
What is the rent difference between Los Angeles and Houston?
1BR: Los Angeles $2,400/mo vs Houston $1,280/mo (-47%). 2BR: Los Angeles $3,200/mo vs Houston $1,620/mo (-49%).
Does Los Angeles or Houston have lower taxes?
Los Angeles (CA) has Up to 13.3% state income tax. Houston (TX) has None state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$13,300.