Cost of Living: Los Angeles, CA vs The Woodlands, TX (2026)

Los Angeles

California
187
VS

The Woodlands

Texas
139

Los Angeles is 35% more expensive than The Woodlands.

$1,879/mo ↑ 5%
Median Rent
$1,792/mo ↓ 5%
$80,366/yr ↓ 43%
Median Income
$141,353/yr ↑ 76%
$879,500 ↑ 83%
Home Value
$479,400 ↓ 45%
$2,055/mo ↑ 2%
Owner Costs
$2,005/mo ↓ 2%
3,857,897
Population
116,916

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

28.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
15.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Los Angeles, CA and The Woodlands, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 187 and 139 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $87/month cheaper in The Woodlands, saving renters about $1,044/year.

Median household income is $60,987/year higher in The Woodlands. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Los Angeles is $879,500 compared to $479,400 in The Woodlands.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Los Angeles vs The Woodlands — common questions

Is Los Angeles or The Woodlands cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, The Woodlands is cheaper to live in with an index of 139 compared to 187 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Los Angeles and The Woodlands?
Median rent in Los Angeles is $1,879/month and in The Woodlands it's $1,792/month — a difference of $87/month.
Which city has higher income, Los Angeles or The Woodlands?
Median household income is $80,366 in Los Angeles and $141,353 in The Woodlands. Median household income is $60,987/year higher in The Woodlands.
How do taxes compare between California and Texas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Los Angeles or The Woodlands?
It depends on your priorities. Los Angeles has a cost index of 187 with median rent of $1,879/mo, while The Woodlands has a cost index of 139 with rent of $1,792/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Los Angeles details → View The Woodlands details →

More Comparisons

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