Cost of living · head to head
Houston, TX is 13% cheaper than Los Angeles, CA.
Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average.
Los Angeles, CAoverall index
113.6
Houston, TXoverall index
98.6
Try your own salary
in Los Angeles, CA
To live the same in Houston, TX, you’d need about $86,796.
That’s about $13,204 less — Houston, TX is cheaper.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 13%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in Houston, TX runs 39% lower than in Los Angeles, CA (104.5 vs 170.4), while everyday goods and services sit closer together. For most people the rent or mortgage line moves the most when relocating between these two metros, so weigh that gap more heavily than the overall figure.
Salary you’d need in Houston, TX
| $50,000 in Los Angeles, CA | $43,398 |
| $75,000 in Los Angeles, CA | $65,097 |
| $100,000 in Los Angeles, CA | $86,796 |
| $150,000 in Los Angeles, CA | $130,194 |
| $200,000 in Los Angeles, CA | $173,592 |
Each row shows the salary in Houston, TX that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in Los Angeles, CA.
Los Angeles, CA · housing
170.4
Houston, TX · housing
104.5
Common questions
Is Houston, TX cheaper than Los Angeles, CA?
Yes — Houston, TX has an overall cost-of-living index of 98.6 versus 113.6 for Los Angeles, CA, making it about 13% cheaper.
How much do you need to earn in Houston, TX to match $100,000 in Los Angeles, CA?
About $86,796. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in Los Angeles, CA costs roughly $86,796 in Houston, TX.
Is housing cheaper in Houston, TX than in Los Angeles, CA?
Housing in Houston, TX scores 104.5 versus 170.4 in Los Angeles, CA — about 39% cheaper. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
What is the cost of living difference between Los Angeles, CA and Houston, TX?
Overall, Houston, TX is about 13% cheaper than Los Angeles, CA (index 98.6 vs 113.6), with housing 39% lower. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.