City comparison
Los Angeles vs Houston Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Los Angeles (148.5) and Houston (105.8).
Los Angeles Index
148.5
Houston Index
105.8
Los Angeles Rent
$4,025
Houston Rent
$2,175
Los Angeles Home price
$730,000
Houston Home price
$390,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Los Angeles to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Houston.
Equivalent salary in Houston
$89,057
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Los Angeles and Houston.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Los Angeles | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 208 | 118 | -90.0 (-43.3%) |
| Groceries | 123 | 97 | -26.0 (-21.1%) |
| Transportation | 118 | 104 | -14.0 (-11.9%) |
| Healthcare | 111 | 96 | -15.0 (-13.5%) |
| Utilities | 109 | 101 | -8.0 (-7.3%) |
| Miscellaneous | 121 | 99 | -22.0 (-18.2%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$7,070 / $4,740
Los Angeles / Houston
Couple
$11,740 / $7,870
Los Angeles / Houston
Family
$16,540 / $11,090
Los Angeles / Houston
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Los Angeles city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Los Angeles.
View Houston city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Houston.
Last updated: Q1 2026
Data as of Q1 2026. Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, HUD Fair Market Rents.
Cost of living indexes use the national average as baseline (100). Data is updated periodically.