City Comparison · 2026
Los Angeles vs Houston
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Los Angeles = $61k in Houston
Metric
Los Angeles
Houston
COL Index
1.76
✓1.08
1BR Monthly Rent
$2,450/mo
✓$1,400/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
$3,200/mo
✓$1,780/mo
State Income Tax
CA
TX
$100k Take-Home
$73,198
✓$78,736
$100k Effective Rate
26.8%
✓21.26%
$100k Savings Potential
$43,798
✓$61,936
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Los Angeles CA | Houston TX |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $48,276 $4,023/mo · 19.54% eff. | $50,248 $4,187/mo · 16.25% eff. |
| $100,000 | $73,198 $6,100/mo · 26.8% eff. | $78,736 $6,561/mo · 21.26% eff. |
| $150,000 | $103,090 $8,591/mo · 31.27% eff. | $113,278 $9,440/mo · 24.48% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Los Angeles or Houston cheaper to live in?
Los Angeles has a cost-of-living index of 1.76 while Houston is 1.08 (1.00 = US average). Houston is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Los Angeles is $2,450/month vs $1,400/month in Houston.
How much more do you need to earn in Los Angeles vs Houston?
$100k in Los Angeles = $61k in Houston. Cost of living in Houston is lower by 38.6%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Los Angeles or Houston?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $73,198 in CA (Los Angeles) and $78,736 in TX (Houston). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $43,798 in Los Angeles vs $61,936 in Houston.
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