Median rent is 36% lower in Temple ($1,231/mo vs $1,933/mo). Buying is cheaper in Temple, where the median home runs $239,000 versus $921,200. Households earn more in Los Angeles ($81,939 vs $68,204 a year). Taken together, Temple is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 91.5 against 114.7 — about 20% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Temple, TX.
Cost of living verdict
Temple is 20% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 91.5 in Temple vs 114.7 in Los Angeles (US national average = 100)
City A
Los Angeles, CA
City B
Temple, TX
How much would you need to earn in Temple, TX to maintain your standard of living from Los Angeles, CA?
Equivalent salary in Temple, TX
$59,782
You could earn $15,218 less (20% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Los Angeles
California
Temple
Texas
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Temple — median rent of $1,231/mo versus $1,933/mo in Los Angeles, a 36% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $921,200 versus $239,000 in Temple — 74% more expensive.
Metric
Los Angeles
Temple
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Los Angeles
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Temple
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Los Angeles (avg AQI 31.0) but not yet for Temple.
Pick Temple if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 91.5 vs 114.7).
Pick Los Angeles if you prioritize higher median household income ($81,939/yr).
Pick Temple if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,231/mo median).
Temple is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 91.5 versus 114.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 20% lower in Temple.
Median rent is $1,933/mo in Los Angeles, CA and $1,231/mo in Temple, TX. Temple, TX has the lower rent by about 36%.
Median household income is $81,939 in Los Angeles, CA and $68,204 in Temple, TX. Los Angeles, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Los Angeles, CA is equivalent to roughly $79,709 in Temple, TX (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
