Is Los Angeles, CA cheaper than Austin, TX?

Based on cost of living data, Los Angeles, CA is 68.3% more expensive than Austin, TX. This translates to spending an extra $5119 per month.

What salary do I need in Los Angeles, CA to live like I do in Austin, TX?

If you earn $150,000 in Austin, TX, you'd need approximately $211,427.184 in Los Angeles, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Austin, TX and Los Angeles, CA?

Housing in Los Angeles, CA is 168.6% more expensive than in Austin, TX. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $2,660/month in Los Angeles, CA compared to $1,995/month in Austin, TX.

How much can I save per month by moving from Austin, TX to Los Angeles, CA?

Living in Los Angeles, CA costs approximately $5119 more per month than Austin, TX, or $61427 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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Austin, TX

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Los Angeles, CA

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Austin, TX

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $5.1K/month more in Los Angeles, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $211.4K in Los Angeles, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX area

Overall Cost

↑ 68.3%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$5,119

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$61.4K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Austin, TX

Population:979K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$558K

Los Angeles, CA

Population:3899K

Cost Index:168

Median Home:$885K

Austin, TX

The Lone Star State

979K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Live music capital
•Major tech hub
•SXSW festival city

Major Industries

TechnologyMusic IndustryEducationGovernment

Los Angeles, CA

The Golden State

3.9M

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Mediterranean

Notable Facts

•Entertainment capital of the world
•Major Pacific Rim trade center
•Diverse metropolitan area

Major Industries

EntertainmentTechnologyInternational TradeTourism

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Austin, TX vs Los Angeles, CA

Category	Austin, TX	Los Angeles, CA	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,885/mo	$7,749/mo	↑ $4,865more	168.6%
🚗Transportation	$1,284/mo	$2,158/mo	↑ $874more	68.1%
🛒Groceries	$959/mo	$1,040/mo	↑ $80.94more	8.4%
🏥Healthcare	$589/mo	$554/mo	↓ $34.70less	5.9%
⚡All Utilities	$541/mo	$557/mo	↑ $16.39more	3.0%
📦Other	$1,741/mo	$1,731/mo	↓ $10.04less	0.6%

🏠Housing

↑ 168.6%

Austin, TX

$2,885

Los Angeles, CA

$7,749

Difference

$4,865

🚗Transportation

↑ 68.1%

Austin, TX

$1,284

Los Angeles, CA

$2,158

Difference

$874

🛒Groceries

↑ 8.4%

Austin, TX

$959

Los Angeles, CA

$1,040

Difference

$80.94

🏥Healthcare

↓ 5.9%

Austin, TX

$589

Los Angeles, CA

$554

Difference

$34.70

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 3.0%

Austin, TX

$541

Los Angeles, CA

$557

Difference

$16.39

📦Other

↓ 0.6%

Austin, TX

$1,741

Los Angeles, CA

$1,731

Difference

$10.04

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,585

To$1,910

↑ $325

1 Bed

From$1,685

To$2,135

↑ $450

2 Bed

From$1,995

To$2,660

↑ $665

3 Bed

From$2,525

To$3,370

↑ $845

Austin, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,490–$2,350/mo

Los Angeles, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,630–$3,130/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,998

Monthly in Austin, TX

$13,790

Monthly in Los Angeles, CA

$5,792

Difference

Home Values

Austin

Los Angeles

$558K

Median Value

$885K

↓ -5%

YoY Change

↓ -3.4%

↑ +12.6%

5-Year Change

↑ +13.1%

$272K - $1.26M

Price Range

$531K - $3.01M

Homes in Los Angeles are 59% more expensive than Austin

Calculate payment - Austin Calculate payment - Los Angeles

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $10.6K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$886

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

7.1%

Rate difference

Austin, TX

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Texas State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

Los Angeles, CA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

California State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,530/month

$102.4K

Additional Tax Information

Austin, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.8%

Los Angeles, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.