Cost of living in Houston, Texas (United States) is 24% cheaper than in Los Angeles, California (United States)
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This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 826 prices entered by 95 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 20% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Houston, Texas (United States) is 20% cheaper than in Los Angeles, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Houston, Texas | Los Angeles, California | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $19 | $24 | - 20% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $12 | $13 | - 5% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $5.54 | $6 | - 12% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $0.99 | $1.23 | - 19% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $5.96 | $9 | - 30% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $3.66 | $4.56 | - 20% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $5.32 | $7 | - 28% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.30 | $4.42 | - 25% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.71 | $1.78 | - 4% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $2.47 | $6 | - 60% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $18 | $15 | + 18% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $3.04 | $3.17 | - 4% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.91 | $3.20 | - 9% | |
| Housing | - 32% | |||
| Housing in Houston, Texas (United States) is 32% cheaper than in Los Angeles, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Houston, Texas | Los Angeles, California | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,756 | $4,069 | - 32% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $1,734 | $2,864 | - 39% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $233 | $266 | - 12% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $1,623 | $2,916 | - 44% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,133 | $2,383 | - 52% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $203 | $175 | + 16% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $56 | $53 | + 5% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $215 | $387 | - 44% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $133 | $161 | - 17% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $12 | $16 | - 28% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $24 | $30 | - 20% | |
| Clothes | - 5% | |||
| Clothes in Houston, Texas (United States) is 5% cheaper than in Los Angeles, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Houston, Texas | Los Angeles, California | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $48 | $63 | - 25% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $48 | $45 | + 8% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $78 | $96 | - 18% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $157 | $143 | + 10% | |
| Transportation | + 10% | |||
| Transportation in Houston, Texas (United States) is 10% more expensive than in Los Angeles, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Houston, Texas | Los Angeles, California | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $27,162 | $27,289 | - 0% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.76 | $1.20 | - 36% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $61 | $53 | + 14% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $49 | $32 | + 52% | |
| Personal Care | - 21% | |||
| Personal Care in Houston, Texas (United States) is 21% cheaper than in Los Angeles, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Houston, Texas | Los Angeles, California | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $8 | $10 | - 17% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $25 | $20 | + 28% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $126 | $198 | - 36% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $8 | $8 | - 0% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.71 | $5.79 | - 19% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $5.18 | $8 | - 36% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $3.64 | $5.67 | - 36% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.33 | $2.80 | - 17% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $30 | $36 | - 15% | |
| Entertainment | - 44% | |||
| Entertainment in Houston, Texas (United States) is 44% cheaper than in Los Angeles, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Houston, Texas | Los Angeles, California | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $56 | $70 | - 20% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $32 | $44 | - 26% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $165 | $545 | - 70% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $116 | $149 | - 22% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $15 | $19 | - 21% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.14 | $7 | - 31% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $7 | $9 | - 16% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $363 | $502 | - 28% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.32 | $1.02 | - 69% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $44 | $73 | - 40% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $9 | $13 | - 32% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 24% | ||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 826 prices entered by 95 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 20, 2025.
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $13,000 in Los Angeles, California you would need to make just about $9,838 in Houston, Texas.
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