Salary Comparison

Information Security Analyst Salary:
Los Angeles, CA vs Houston, TX

Side-by-side gross salary, after-tax take-home pay, and purchasing power comparison. Updated June 2026.

Los Angeles, CA
$159,535
/ year
+38%
difference
Houston, TX
$115,541
/ year
Bottom line: Houston offers better purchasing power despite Los Angeles paying more gross. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
Los Angeles
Houston
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$159,535โœ“ higher
$115,541
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$103,171โœ“ higher
$74,720
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$246,693โœ“ higher
$178,664
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$106,999โœ“ higher
$80,448
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$115,605
$117,899โœ“ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.38ร—
0.98ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$103,171โœ“ higher
$74,720
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$246,693โœ“ higher
$178,664

What if you move from Los Angeles to Houston?

Gross salary change
$43,994
38% decrease
Take-home change
$26,551
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$2,294
equivalent real income

Take-home pay is estimated using 2024 US federal tax brackets (single filer) + 7.65% FICA, or a blended international effective rate. Purchasing power converts gross salary to an equivalent in a US median cost-of-living city (index 1.00ร—). Full methodology โ†’

Salary Range Comparison

Los Angeles, CA$159,535
P10: $103,171Median: $159,535P90: $246,693
Houston, TX$115,541
P10: $74,720Median: $115,541P90: $178,664

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a Information Security Analyst earn more in Los Angeles or Houston?

The median Information Security Analyst salary in Los Angeles, CA is $159,535/yr compared to $115,541/yr in Houston, TX. Los Angeles pays 38% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Information Security Analyst salary worth more in Los Angeles or Houston after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Los Angeles salary has the purchasing power of $115,605/yr in a median-cost city, vs $117,899/yr for Houston. Houston offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a Information Security Analyst in Los Angeles vs Houston?

After estimated taxes, a Information Security Analyst in Los Angeles, CA takes home approximately $106,999/yr, vs $80,448/yr in Houston, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.