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