Houston, TX
No state income tax, big-city scale, and a lot more house for the money.
Houston is the largest city in Texas and one of the biggest job markets in the country, which makes it a natural option for anyone moving from Los Angeles to Houston for work or for space. In the most recent Redfin data the typical Houston home sold for about $368K, versus about $904K for the typical LA County zip code. Add no state income tax on wages and the math changes quickly.
The money picture
| Typical LA County zip | Houston, TX | |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $904K | $368K |
| Median price per sq ft | $588 | $183 |
| Median days on market | n/a | 41 |
| State income tax on wages | Progressive, top rate 13.3% | None on wages (Texas has no personal income tax) |
Market figures: Redfin Data Center. Houston: May 2026, all residential. LA: median of LA County zip-code medians, Mar 2026 to May 2026. Medians are a rough guide and hide a wide range of homes. Tax rates as published by each state for tax year 2026; rates change, so verify with the state's revenue department.
The typical detached house in Houston sold for about $385K and the typical condo for about $179K. On a per-square-foot basis, Houston came in around $183 against about $588 for LA, so the same budget generally buys a much larger home. The market has moved at a steadier pace than LA: a median of 41 days on market and an average sale price of about 97.2% of list price.
For an LA owner, equity is the asset that drives this move. With the Houston median near $368K against roughly $904K in LA, the proceeds from an LA sale can cover much or all of a Houston purchase in many cases, depending on the home sold and any loan payoff. Some sellers buy with little or no mortgage and keep a reserve. Others trade up to a larger home, more land, or a newer build. Because the gap in price per square foot is wide, the decision is usually less about whether the money stretches and more about how to balance space, location, and ongoing property tax and insurance costs.
On taxes, Texas has no personal income tax. Texas relies heavily on local property taxes instead, so combined rates are generally well above what long-time California owners pay under Prop 13. Rates depend on the combined local taxing districts for each address, and Texas offers homestead exemptions on a primary residence. Homeowners insurance costs have also been rising in Texas. The Texas Comptroller explains how property tax and exemptions work, and the county appraisal district lists the details for a specific address.
On $250,000 of wage income, Texas state income tax would be $0, because Texas has no personal income tax. That is not the full picture: a home at $385K carries a property tax bill based on its own combined local rate and any exemptions, plus insurance. Someone moving mid-year typically still files a part-year California return for the months before the move, and deductions and timing vary, so a CPA is the right person to run real numbers.
What people tend to weigh
- Climate. Long, hot and humid summers, mild winters, and a Gulf Coast hurricane season from June through November.
- Housing stock. Older close-in neighborhoods, townhomes in the urban core, and a large supply of newer construction in master-planned areas around the metro.
- Getting back. Two commercial airports, Bush Intercontinental and Hobby, with many nonstop flights to LA.
- Flood risk and insurance. Parts of the region sit in flood zones. Buyers often check an address's flood zone status and get insurance quotes, including flood coverage, before committing.
Weighing other Texas cities? See the Dallas guide or the full picture on moving from California to Texas.
Common questions
How much does a home cost in Houston compared with Los Angeles?
The typical Houston home sold for about $368K ($183 per square foot) in Redfin's May 2026 data, versus about $904K ($588 per square foot) for a typical LA County zip code. Medians hide a wide range of homes.
Does Texas have a state income tax?
None on wages (Texas has no personal income tax). California's top marginal rate is 13.3%. Tax rules change, so confirm current rates with the state's revenue department and a CPA.
How fast are homes selling in Houston?
Homes in Houston had a median of 41 days on market and sold for about 97.2% of list price on average (Redfin, May 2026).
What could $1 million from an LA sale buy in Houston?
As a rough illustration, $1 million at Houston's median of $183 per square foot works out to about 5,460 square feet, compared with about 1,700 at the LA median. Use the calculator on this page for your own numbers.
The move starts with the sale.
Before you land anywhere, your LA home has to sell, and how it sells sets your budget for everything after. The seller's playbook covers timing, California withholding at closing, transfer taxes and the questions to bring your CPA.