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Houston vs Los Angeles: prices, pay and housing
| Houston, TX | Los Angeles, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 98.6 | 113.6 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $67,610 | $77,270 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $49,410 | $55,850 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $68,550 | $68,040 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $56,394 | $60,080 |
| Typical home value | $308,306 | $968,608 |
| Median household income | $80,458 | $93,525 |
| Home price / household income | 3.8 | 10.4 |
| Metro population | 7,274,714 | 13,012,469 |
*Single filer, federal and state income tax and FICA (2026 rules); city income taxes included where we model them.
Compare with another city or state
Equivalent salary: Houston to Los Angeles
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Houston to Los Angeles, multiply your salary by 1.151.
| Salary in Houston | Same buying power in Los Angeles |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Houston | $57,572 in Los Angeles |
| $75,000 in Houston | $86,358 in Los Angeles |
| $100,000 in Houston | $115,145 in Los Angeles |
| $150,000 in Houston | $172,717 in Los Angeles |
| $200,000 in Houston | $230,289 in Los Angeles |
Salaries for common jobs in Houston and Los Angeles
| Job | Houston | Los Angeles | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $25,830 | $35,890 | $26,189 / $31,603 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,630 | $41,080 | $28,014 / $36,173 |
| Retail Salespersons | $34,640 | $43,010 | $35,122 / $37,872 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $39,910 | $44,070 | $40,465 / $38,806 |
| Office Clerks, General | $43,320 | $50,980 | $43,922 / $44,890 |
| Cashiers | $30,100 | $39,550 | $30,518 / $34,826 |
| Registered Nurses | $100,290 | $140,370 | $101,684 / $123,602 |
| General and Operations Managers | $146,320 | $157,110 | $148,354 / $138,342 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $38,670 | $42,400 | $39,208 / $37,335 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $29,180 | $42,640 | $29,586 / $37,546 |
| Security Guards | $38,270 | $43,880 | $38,802 / $38,638 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $32,660 | $43,050 | $33,114 / $37,907 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $95,640 | $99,740 | $96,969 / $87,826 |
| Customer Service Representatives | $43,380 | $53,500 | $43,983 / $47,109 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,160 | $61,230 | $58,968 / $53,916 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
More cost of living comparisons
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Houston vs Los Angeles: questions
Is Houston more expensive than Los Angeles?
No. BEA prices are 98.6 in Houston, TX and 113.6 in Los Angeles, CA (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in Los Angeles to match $100,000 in Houston?
About $115,145, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Houston or Los Angeles?
Houston, TX: once prices are counted, its average salary buys more.
Sources and how to read this page
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas.
- Home values: Zillow Home Value Index; income and population: Census ACS 5-year 2023.
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