

Houston, TX vs Los Angeles, CA
Houston, TX comes out ahead of Los Angeles, CA on 22 of 43 statistics where one end is better, to 20 with 1 ties. Houston, TX leads on Economics. Los Angeles, CA leads on Crime & Safety.
43 statistics with a better end, compared
Each counts once for the place that ranks better; 1 tie. Totals that mostly track population are left out.
- Wins
- 22
- Avg. percentile
- 36
- Categories led
- 1
- Wins
- 20
- Avg. percentile
- 32
- Categories led
- 1
At a glance
Headline statistics, each ranked among all US cities.
| Statistic | Houston, TX | Los Angeles, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,419,191 4th of 477 | 3,863,148 2nd of 477 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $64,813 276th of 434 | $81,939 151st of 434 |
| Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $277,800 188th of 434 | $921,200 392nd of 434 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 19.9% 333rd of 434 | 16.5% 271st of 434 |
| Price Level (All Items)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 98.6 tied 224th of 460 | 113.6 tied 423rd of 460 |
| Average Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS) | $67,610 tied 186th of 460 | $77,270 tied 61st of 460 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $1,361 tied 215th of 434 | $1,933 352nd of 434 |
| Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 886.1 356th of 395 | 667.7 309th of 395 |
By category
Average percentile on each category's widely ranked statistics.
- Crime & SafetyLos Angeles, CA · 5 statistics
- EconomicsHouston, TX · 14 statistics
Biggest differences
The 19 statistics where their rankings differ most, among rankings of at least 239 US cities.
| Statistic | Houston, TX | Los Angeles, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Price Level (Other Services)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 95.6 tied 47th of 460 | 104.4 tied 413th of 460 |
| Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $277,800 188th of 434 | $921,200 392nd of 434 |
| Price Level (All Items)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 98.6 tied 224th of 460 | 113.6 tied 423rd of 460 |
| Price Level (Housing Rents)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 104.5 tied 234th of 460 | 170.4 tied 414th of 460 |
| Median Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS) | $49,410 tied 242nd of 460 | $55,850 tied 87th of 460 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $1,361 tied 215th of 434 | $1,933 352nd of 434 |
| Price Level (Utilities)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 95.3 tied 290th of 460 | 158.6 tied 419th of 460 |
| Property Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 3,807.2 360th of 395 | 2,235.5 246th of 395 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $64,813 276th of 434 | $81,939 151st of 434 |
| Homes with Broadband Internet (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 90.1% 284th of 434 | 92.6% 172nd of 434 |
| Price Level (Goods)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 100.6 tied 300th of 460 | 106.6 tied 411th of 460 |
| Average Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS) | $67,610 tied 186th of 460 | $77,270 tied 61st of 460 |
| Murder Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 11.3 340th of 395 | 5.8 263rd of 395 |
| Burglary Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 484.6 344th of 395 | 308.4 275th of 395 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 19.9% 333rd of 434 | 16.5% 271st of 434 |
| Average Commute (Minutes)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 27.2 336th of 434 | 30.7 396th of 434 |
| Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 886.1 356th of 395 | 667.7 309th of 395 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or Higher (% of Adults 25+)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 36.6% 187th of 434 | 38.5% 167th of 434 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 520.3 350th of 395 | 518.8 348th of 395 |
Quick answers
- Which is better, Houston, TX or Los Angeles, CA?
- Houston, TX comes out ahead of Los Angeles, CA on 22 of 43 statistics where one end is better, to 20 with 1 ties. Houston, TX leads on Economics. Los Angeles, CA leads on Crime & Safety. Statistics where neither end is better, and totals that mostly track population, are not counted.
- Which has more people, Houston, TX or Los Angeles, CA?
- Houston, TX has a population of 2,419,191 (4th of 477 US cities) and Los Angeles, CA has 3,863,148 (2nd of 477).
- How do Houston, TX and Los Angeles, CA compare on Median Household Income?
- Median Household Income: Houston, TX $64,813 (276th of 434), Los Angeles, CA $81,939 (151st of 434) among US cities. Los Angeles, CA ranks better.
- How do Houston, TX and Los Angeles, CA compare on Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)?
- Median Home Value (Capped at $2M): Houston, TX $277,800 (188th of 434), Los Angeles, CA $921,200 (392nd of 434) among US cities. Houston, TX ranks better.
- Where does Houston, TX beat Los Angeles, CA most clearly?
- Houston, TX ranks far ahead on Price Level (Other Services) (Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities)): 95.6 vs 104.4; Median Home Value (Capped at $2M) (Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census)): $277,800 vs $921,200; Price Level (All Items) (Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities)): 98.6 vs 113.6.
- Where does Los Angeles, CA beat Houston, TX most clearly?
- Los Angeles, CA ranks far ahead on Median Annual Wage, All Jobs (Average Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS)): $55,850 vs $49,410; Property Crime Rate (per 100K) (Crime Rates by City (FBI)): 2,235.5 vs 3,807.2; Median Household Income (Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census)): $81,939 vs $64,813.
More matchups
Other comparisons with Houston, TX or Los Angeles, CA.
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