Cost of Living: Houston, TX vs East Los Angeles, CA (2026)

Houston

Texas
88
VS

East Los Angeles

California
134

Houston is 34% cheaper than East Los Angeles.

$1,313/mo ↓ 8%
Median Rent
$1,431/mo ↑ 9%
$62,894/yr ↓ 8%
Median Income
$68,378/yr ↑ 9%
$253,400 ↓ 59%
Home Value
$613,600 ↑ 142%
$1,316/mo ↓ 10%
Owner Costs
$1,458/mo ↑ 11%
2,300,419
Population
114,617

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

25.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and East Los Angeles, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 134 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $118/month cheaper in Houston, saving renters about $1,416/year.

Median household income is $5,484/year higher in East Los Angeles. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $613,600 in East Los Angeles.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Houston residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs East Los Angeles — common questions

Is Houston or East Los Angeles cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Houston is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 134 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and East Los Angeles?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in East Los Angeles it's $1,431/month — a difference of $118/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or East Los Angeles?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $68,378 in East Los Angeles. Median household income is $5,484/year higher in East Los Angeles.
How do taxes compare between Texas and California?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Houston or East Los Angeles?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/mo, while East Los Angeles has a cost index of 134 with rent of $1,431/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Houston details → View East Los Angeles details →

More Comparisons

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