Los Angeles, CA vs Frisco, TX

Cost of Living Comparison — 2026

Renters in Frisco, TX spend a smaller share of their income on housing. Median household income is 82% higher in Frisco, TX. Home prices in Los Angeles, CA run 32% higher. Frisco, TX has the lower unemployment rate.

$80,366
Income in Los Angeles
$146,158
Income in Frisco
$1,879
Rent in Los Angeles
$1,902
Rent in Frisco

Detailed Comparison

Metric
Los Angeles, CA
Frisco, TX
Difference
Median Household Income
$80,366
$146,158
82% higher
Median Home Value
$879,500
$595,400
32% less
Median Monthly Rent
$1,879
$1,902
1% more
Median Monthly Housing Costs
$2,055
$2,389
16% more
Unemployment Rate
7.9%
4.2%
47% less
Population
3,857,897
210,238

Housing Costs and Affordability

A common benchmark is spending no more than 30% of gross income on housing. In Los Angeles, CA, renters allocate roughly 28.1% of median household income to rent (within that threshold). In Frisco, TX, the figure is 15.6% , making Frisco, TX the easier city for renters on a budget.

For prospective homebuyers, the price-to-income ratio tells you how many years of gross income it takes to match the median home price. In Los Angeles, CA, that ratio is 10.9x. Homes cost 10.9 times the median annual income. In Frisco, TX, it's 4.1x. Homeownership is relatively more accessible in Frisco, TX.

Monthly housing costs (rent plus utilities) average $2,055 in Los Angeles and $2,389 in Frisco. These figures include renters paying utilities separately from rent.

Income and Labor Market

Median household income in Los Angeles, CA is $80,366; in Frisco, TX it is $146,158. That's a $65,792 gap, but income alone doesn't tell the full story without accounting for local costs.

Unemployment stands at 7.9% in Los Angeles and 4.2% in Frisco. Labor force participation (the share of the population working or actively job-seeking) is 55.1% in Los Angeles versus 54.7% in Frisco.

Population

Los Angeles, CA has a population of 3,857,897, making it the larger of the two cities. Frisco, TX has 210,238 residents. City size affects everything from transit options and job market depth to cost pressures. Larger metros typically see higher housing demand.

Data Sources

All data is from the US Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. Income, housing, and employment figures represent the most recent available estimates. Data is refreshed as new Census releases become available.

Verify this data at data.census.gov