Los Angeles, CA vs Houston, TX
Cost of living comparison · 2023 Census ACS data
Quick Summary
The headline difference between these two markets is housing: a typical home in Houston runs $253,000 versus $880,000 in Los Angeles, a 71% gap that dominates most relocation math. Houston also has no state income tax, while the other state tops out at 13.3% — a meaningful annual difference at higher income levels.
Median Home Value
$879,500
$253,400 ✓
Zillow Home Value
$941,985
$261,975
Median Gross Rent
$1,879/mo
$1,313/mo ✓
Owner Occupied %
36.3%
42.0%
Price-to-Rent Ratio
39.0x
16.1x
Median Household Income
$80,366 ✓
$62,894
Per Capita Income
$46,270
$41,142
Unemployment Rate
7.9%
6.7% ✓
Poverty Rate
16.6%
19.7%
Avg Commute (min)
34.1 min
29.7 min
Drove Alone %
61.4%
69.7%
Public Transit %
6.7%
3.3%
Work From Home %
17.3%
11.7%
State Income Tax
13.3%
None
Total Sales Tax
8.7%
8.2% ✓
Property Tax Rate
0.7%
1.7%
Bachelor's Degree %
24.5%
21.3%
Median Age
36.9
34.3
Avg High Temp
70.4°F
79.8°F
Annual Precipitation
13.4"
55.6"
Los Angeles, CA 1 wins
- ✓Median Household Income
Houston, TX 4 wins
- ✓Median Home Value
- ✓Median Gross Rent
- ✓Total Sales Tax
- ✓Unemployment Rate
Thinking about moving? See what salary you'd need in each city.
Open Cost of Living Calculator →