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

The Woodlands

Texas
139
VS

East Los Angeles

California
134

The Woodlands is 4% more expensive than East Los Angeles.

$1,792/mo ↑ 25%
Median Rent
$1,431/mo ↓ 20%
$141,353/yr ↑ 107%
Median Income
$68,378/yr ↓ 52%
$479,400 ↓ 22%
Home Value
$613,600 ↑ 28%
$2,005/mo ↑ 38%
Owner Costs
$1,458/mo ↓ 27%
116,916
Population
114,617

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

15.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing The Woodlands, TX and East Los Angeles, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 139 and 134 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $361/month cheaper in East Los Angeles, saving renters about $4,332/year.

Median household income is $72,975/year higher in The Woodlands. Home values also differ significantly — the median in The Woodlands is $479,400 compared to $613,600 in East Los Angeles.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

The Woodlands vs East Los Angeles — common questions

Is The Woodlands or East Los Angeles cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, East Los Angeles is cheaper to live in with an index of 134 compared to 139 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between The Woodlands and East Los Angeles?
Median rent in The Woodlands is $1,792/month and in East Los Angeles it's $1,431/month — a difference of $361/month.
Which city has higher income, The Woodlands or East Los Angeles?
Median household income is $141,353 in The Woodlands and $68,378 in East Los Angeles. Median household income is $72,975/year higher in The Woodlands.
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 The Woodlands or East Los Angeles?
It depends on your priorities. The Woodlands has a cost index of 139 with median rent of $1,792/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 The Woodlands details → View East Los Angeles details →

More Comparisons

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