Quick answer
Austin is 64% cheaper than Los Angeles overall. A $100K salary in Los Angeles is equivalent to $36,000 in Austin.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Los Angeles vs Austin Cost of Living (2026)
Side-by-side cost comparison plus a salary calculator to find your equivalent pay in either city.
Overall COL difference
Austin is 64% cheaper
1BR rent difference
-31% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$36,000
Los Angeles vs Austin: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$2,400/mo
$1,650/mo
-31%
2BR median rent
$3,200/mo
$2,100/mo
-34%
Median home price
$850K
$548K
-36%
Avg monthly groceries
$440
$380
-14%
Avg monthly utilities
$140
$175
+25%
State income tax
Up to 13.3%
None
Austin saves
Walk score
68/100
41/100
Los Angeles better
Transit score
53/100
34/100
Los Angeles better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Austin to maintain the same standard of living as your current Los Angeles salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$21,000
$169,000
$80,000
$28,000
$225,000
$100,000
$36,000
$281,000
$120,000
$43,000
$337,000
$150,000
$53,000
$421,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Los Angeles vs Austin
Who Each City Is Best For
Los Angeles is best for
- ✓entertainment industry workers
- ✓creatives
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓entrepreneurs
Austin is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓young professionals
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓musicians
FAQs
Is Los Angeles or Austin cheaper to live in?
Austin is 64% cheaper than Los Angeles overall. Austin 1BR rent ($1,650/mo) vs Los Angeles ($2,400/mo). Median home price: Austin $548K vs Los Angeles $850K.
How much salary do I need in Austin to match $100K in Los Angeles?
$36,000 in Austin is equivalent to $100,000 in Los Angeles based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (-31% difference) and state taxes (Los Angeles: Up to 13.3% vs Austin: None).
What is the rent difference between Los Angeles and Austin?
1BR: Los Angeles $2,400/mo vs Austin $1,650/mo (-31%). 2BR: Los Angeles $3,200/mo vs Austin $2,100/mo (-34%).
Does Los Angeles or Austin have lower taxes?
Los Angeles (CA) has Up to 13.3% state income tax. Austin (TX) has None state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$13,300.