Cost of Living: Los Angeles vs Houston
Purchasing Power Parity: how far does your salary go in Los Angeles compared to Houston?
In Los Angeles, a salary of $100,000 is equivalent to about $75K in Houston. That means Houston offers 33% more spending power. Your money goes further in Houston.
Based on Numbeo cost of living indices. Full methodology.
Salary Converter
Equivalent salary needed in Houston
$75K
To maintain the same standard of living, you'd need $75K in Houston vs $100K in Los Angeles
Los Angeles
78.6
Cost of Living Index (NYC = 100)
Houston
58.9
Cost of Living Index (NYC = 100)
How They Compare
Houston is 25% cheaper than Los Angeles
What Top Roles Earn Here
Real salary data for roles with earnings data in both Los Angeles and Houston, adjusted for cost of living.
| Role | Los Angeles median | Houston median | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $157K | $110K | Los Angeles wins by 7% |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $79K | $70K | Houston wins by 18% |
| Accountants and Auditors | $118K | $90K | roughly equal |
| Information Technology Project Managers | $159K | $108K | Los Angeles wins by 9% |
| Data Scientists | $119K | $111K | Houston wins by 25% |
Salary data from public records. Adjusted for cost of living using PPP ratio (0.75x). Methodology.
See real salary data
Check actual public salaries for these cities on RoleHue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:How much more does it cost to live in Los Angeles vs Houston?
A: Los Angeles is approximately 33% more expensive than Houston, based on Numbeo cost of living indices. A salary of $100,000 in Houston is equivalent to about $133K in Los Angeles. However, actual costs vary by lifestyle, housing choices, and tax situation.
Q:What salary do I need in Los Angeles to match $100,000 in Houston?
A: To maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Houston, you would need approximately $133K in Los Angeles. This accounts for differences in housing, groceries, transportation, and other living expenses between the two cities.
Q:Are these cost of living differences accurate for everyone?
A: Cost of living indices provide a useful benchmark, but individual experiences vary by lifestyle, housing choices, and tax situation. The data comes from Numbeo's crowd-sourced cost of living database and reflects average spending patterns. Use the interactive calculator above to model your specific salary scenario.
Q:How do real salaries compare between Los Angeles and Houston?
A: Based on 5 roles with salary data in both cities, Los Angeles wins by 7% when adjusted for cost of living. See the role comparison table below for detailed breakdowns with links to full salary pages.
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