Los Angeles vs Austin
Cost of Living (2026)

Austin is 33% more affordable than Los Angeles. Plus, Texas has no state income tax vs California's 9.3%.

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At a glance

Los Angeles, CA

COL index163
State income tax9.3%
Avg 1BR rent$2,600/mo
Median home price$850K
VS

Austin, TX

COL index110 ✓
State income taxNone ✓
Avg 1BR rent$1,650/mo ✓
Median home price$520K ✓

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryLos Angeles indexAustin indexDifference
Housing215144 ✓-71%
Groceries153104 ✓-49%
Transportation151105 ✓-46%
Healthcare157107 ✓-50%
Utilities145104 ✓-41%

Source: C2ER Cost of Living Index 2026. Index = 100 is US average. ✓ indicates lower cost.

Salary equivalency: Los Angeles → Austin

What salary in Austin gives you the same purchasing power as your Los Angeles salary?

Salary in Los AngelesEquivalent in AustinDifference
$60,000$35,000$-25,000
$80,000$47,000$-33,000
$100,000$59,000$-41,000
$130,000$76,000$-54,000
$150,000$88,000$-62,000
$200,000$117,000$-83,000

Los Angeles vs Austin: Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)

When comparing the cost of living between Los Angeles, CA and Austin, TX, Austin comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 110 versus 163 for Los Angeles — a difference of approximately 33%.

State income tax impact

Texas has no state income tax, giving Austin workers an immediate 9.3% take-home pay advantage over Los Angeles workers who pay California's 9.3% state income tax.

Housing costs

The median home price in Los Angeles is $850,000, compared to $520,000 in Austin. Average 1-bedroom rent is $2,600/month in Los Angeles versus $1,650/month in Austin.

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