Quick answer
Austin is 181% cheaper than Los Angeles overall. A $100K salary in Austin is equivalent to $281,000 in Los Angeles.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Austin vs Los Angeles 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 181% cheaper
1BR rent difference
+45% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$281,000
Austin vs Los Angeles: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$1,650/mo
$2,400/mo
+45%
2BR median rent
$2,100/mo
$3,200/mo
+52%
Median home price
$548K
$850K
+55%
Avg monthly groceries
$380
$440
+16%
Avg monthly utilities
$175
$140
-20%
State income tax
None
Up to 13.3%
Austin saves
Walk score
41/100
68/100
Los Angeles better
Transit score
34/100
53/100
Los Angeles better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Los Angeles to maintain the same standard of living as your current Austin salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$169,000
$21,000
$80,000
$225,000
$28,000
$100,000
$281,000
$36,000
$120,000
$337,000
$43,000
$150,000
$421,000
$53,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Austin vs Los Angeles
Who Each City Is Best For
Austin is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓young professionals
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓musicians
Los Angeles is best for
- ✓entertainment industry workers
- ✓creatives
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓entrepreneurs
FAQs
Is Austin or Los Angeles cheaper to live in?
Austin is 181% 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 Los Angeles to match $100K in Austin?
$281,000 in Los Angeles is equivalent to $100,000 in Austin based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (+45% difference) and state taxes (Austin: None vs Los Angeles: Up to 13.3%).
What is the rent difference between Austin and Los Angeles?
1BR: Austin $1,650/mo vs Los Angeles $2,400/mo (+45%). 2BR: Austin $2,100/mo vs Los Angeles $3,200/mo (+52%).
Does Austin or Los Angeles have lower taxes?
Austin (TX) has None state income tax. Los Angeles (CA) has Up to 13.3% state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$13,300.