City Cost Report
Houston skyline
Houston
Los Angeles skyline
Los Angeles
VS

Houston is 25% cheaper than Los Angeles overall.

HoustonLos Angeles
Rent (1BR City Centre)$2,098.20 CAD$3,497.00 CAD
Rent (1BR Outside Centre)$1,748.50 CAD$2,867.54 CAD
Groceries Index98112
Monthly Transit Pass$125.89 CAD$139.88 CAD
Utilities (monthly)$237.80 CAD$209.82 CAD
Gas (per litre)$1.09 CAD$1.75 CAD
Mid-range Meal$30.77 CAD$34.97 CAD
Gym Membership$55.95 CAD$76.93 CAD
Childcare (monthly)$1,678.56 CAD$2,377.96 CAD

Each city is shown in your selected currency (toggle CAD/USD in the header); cheaper values are highlighted after converting to a common currency. Updated June 2026.

Salary Equivalence Calculator

If you earn $in Houston...

You would need $79,824 in Los Angeles to maintain the same lifestyle.

Frequently asked questions

Is Houston cheaper than Los Angeles?

Houston is 25% cheaper than Los Angeles overall.

How much is rent in Houston vs Los Angeles?

A one-bedroom in the city centre averages $1,500 USD per month in Houston and $2,500 USD in Los Angeles. Outside the centre, it is $1,250 USD in Houston and $2,050 USD in Los Angeles.

What salary do I need to move from Houston to Los Angeles?

On average, you need about 133% of your current salary — for example, $60,000 in Houston is roughly equivalent to $79,824 in Los Angeles.

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