Cost of living · head to head
Los Angeles, CA is 15% pricier than Houston, TX.
Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average.
Houston, TXoverall index
98.6
Los Angeles, CAoverall index
113.6
Try your own salary
in Houston, TX
To live the same in Los Angeles, CA, you’d need about $115,213.
That’s about $15,213 more — Los Angeles, CA is pricier.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 15%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in Los Angeles, CA runs 63% higher than in Houston, TX (170.4 vs 104.5), 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 Los Angeles, CA
| $50,000 in Houston, TX | $57,606 |
| $75,000 in Houston, TX | $86,410 |
| $100,000 in Houston, TX | $115,213 |
| $150,000 in Houston, TX | $172,819 |
| $200,000 in Houston, TX | $230,426 |
Each row shows the salary in Los Angeles, CA that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in Houston, TX.
Houston, TX · housing
104.5
Los Angeles, CA · housing
170.4
Common questions
Is Los Angeles, CA cheaper than Houston, TX?
No — Los Angeles, CA has an overall cost-of-living index of 113.6 versus 98.6 for Houston, TX, making it about 15% more expensive.
How much do you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to match $100,000 in Houston, TX?
About $115,213. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in Houston, TX costs roughly $115,213 in Los Angeles, CA.
Is housing cheaper in Los Angeles, CA than in Houston, TX?
Housing in Los Angeles, CA scores 170.4 versus 104.5 in Houston, TX — about 63% more expensive. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
What is the cost of living difference between Houston, TX and Los Angeles, CA?
Overall, Los Angeles, CA is about 15% pricier than Houston, TX (index 113.6 vs 98.6), with housing 63% higher. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.