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Houston vs Los Angeles

Cost of living comparison for Houston, Texas and Los Angeles, California.

Bottom line

Los Angeles is approximately 30% more expensive than Houston. A single person needs about $4,135/mo in Los Angeles versus $3,185/mo in Houston.

Rent in Houston vs Los Angeles

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Houston · Studio
$1,226
Los Angeles · Studio
$1,856
Los Angeles is $630 (51%) higher than Houston
Houston · 1 bedroom
$1,279
Los Angeles · 1 bedroom
$2,081
Los Angeles is $802 (63%) higher than Houston
Houston · 2 bedroom
$1,529
Los Angeles · 2 bedroom
$2,625
Los Angeles is $1,096 (72%) higher than Houston
Houston · 3 bedroom
$2,038
Los Angeles · 3 bedroom
$3,335
Los Angeles is $1,297 (64%) higher than Houston

Income & earnings in Houston vs Los Angeles

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Houston · Household income
$73,104
Los Angeles · Household income
$87,760
Los Angeles is $14,656 (20%) higher than Houston
Houston · Individual earnings
$41,738
Los Angeles · Individual earnings
$43,477
Los Angeles is $1,739 (4%) higher than Houston
Houston · Per capita
$39,978
Los Angeles · Per capita
$44,319
Los Angeles is $4,341 (11%) higher than Houston

Home values in Houston vs Los Angeles

Average values and property tax.

Houston · Average home value
$255,000
Los Angeles · Average home value
$783,300
Los Angeles is $528,300 (207%) higher than Houston
Houston · Annual property tax
$4,382
Los Angeles · Annual property tax
$5,438
Los Angeles is $1,056 (24%) higher than Houston

Energy in Houston vs Los Angeles

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Houston · Monthly electricity
$167
Los Angeles · Monthly electricity
$167
Houston and Los Angeles are about the same
Houston · Monthly gas
$32
Los Angeles · Monthly gas
$50
Los Angeles is $18 (56%) higher than Houston
Houston · Annual total
$2,388
Los Angeles · Annual total
$2,604
Los Angeles is $216 (9%) higher than Houston

Healthcare in Houston vs Los Angeles

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Houston · Individual premium
$480
Los Angeles · Individual premium
$480
Houston and Los Angeles are about the same
Houston · Family premium
$1,350
Los Angeles · Family premium
$1,350
Houston and Los Angeles are about the same
Houston · Uninsured rate
21.2%
Los Angeles · Uninsured rate
8.7%
Houston is 12.5% (144%) higher than Los Angeles

Taxes in Houston vs Los Angeles

State income and sales tax.

Houston · State income tax
0.0%
Los Angeles · State income tax
13.3%
Los Angeles is 13.3% higher than Houston
Houston · State sales tax
6.3%
Los Angeles · State sales tax
7.3%
Los Angeles is 1.0% (16%) higher than Houston
Houston · Combined sales tax
8.2%
Los Angeles · Combined sales tax
8.8%
Los Angeles is 0.7% (8%) higher than Houston

Transportation in Houston vs Los Angeles

Commute time and travel modes.

Houston · Average commute
29.0 min
Los Angeles · Average commute
30.8 min
Los Angeles is 1.8 min (6%) higher than Houston
Houston · Drive alone
72.4%
Los Angeles · Drive alone
66.4%
Houston is 6.0% (9%) higher than Los Angeles
Houston · Public transit
2.1%
Los Angeles · Public transit
4.2%
Los Angeles is 2.1% (100%) higher than Houston

Monthly cost estimates in Houston vs Los Angeles

All categories combined.

Houston · Single person
$3,185
Los Angeles · Single person
$4,135
Los Angeles is $950 (30%) higher than Houston
Houston · Couple
$4,536
Los Angeles · Couple
$6,334
Los Angeles is $1,798 (40%) higher than Houston
Houston · Family
$7,187
Los Angeles · Family
$9,251
Los Angeles is $2,064 (29%) higher than Houston

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Houston and Los Angeles.

Is Houston or Los Angeles more expensive?

Los Angeles is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,185/mo in Houston, Texas and $4,135/mo in Los Angeles, California, a difference of about 30%.

What is the rent difference between Houston and Los Angeles?

Average one-bedroom rent in Houston, Texas is $1,279/mo versus $2,081/mo in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles is approximately $802 (63%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Houston or Los Angeles?

Los Angeles has the higher average household income. Houston households earn approximately $73,104 per year; Los Angeles households earn approximately $87,760 per year.

More on Houston and Los Angeles

Read full profiles for either area, or pick a different pair to compare.

Houston profile Los Angeles profile Compare different areas

About this data

Figures come from official U.S. government sources including the Census Bureau (ACS), HUD Fair Market Rents, and the Energy Information Administration. See our methodology for details.