Houston vs Los Angeles
Side-by-side comparison of cost of living, state income tax, housing estimates, and salary equivalents between Houston, TX and Los Angeles, CA.
Houston, TX
COL Index
96
Monthly Budget
$4,800
State Tax
None
Population
2.3M
Los Angeles, CA
COL Index
166
Monthly Budget
$8,300
State Tax
12.3%
Population
4.0M
Houston is 73% less expensive than Los Angeles
Monthly Cost Breakdown
Estimated monthly costs for a typical household in each city.
| Category | Houston | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $1,551 | $3,283 | -$1,732 |
| Groceries | $629 | $993 | -$364 |
| Transport | $771 | $1,275 | -$504 |
| Healthcare | $389 | $585 | -$196 |
| Utilities | $288 | $498 | -$210 |
| Other | $1,162 | $1,834 | -$672 |
| Total | $4,800 | $8,300 | -$3,500 |
Tax Comparison on $100K Salary
Estimated annual taxes for a single filer earning $100,000 in each city.
| Component | Houston (TX) | Los Angeles (CA) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Tax | $13,170 | $13,170 | $0 |
| State Tax | $0 | $5,953 | -$5,953 |
| FICA | $7,650 | $7,650 | $0 |
| Total Tax | $20,820 | $26,773 | -$5,953 |
| Take-Home Pay | $79,180 | $73,227 | +$5,953 |
Salary Equivalent
What a Houston salary is worth in Los Angeles (and vice versa), adjusted for cost of living.
| Houston Salary | Equivalent in Los Angeles | Los Angeles Salary | Equivalent in Houston |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $86,458 | $50,000 | $28,916 |
| $75,000 | $129,688 | $75,000 | $43,373 |
| $100,000 | $172,917 | $100,000 | $57,831 |
| $150,000 | $259,375 | $150,000 | $86,747 |