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Los Angeles vs Austin

Austin runs about 28% cheaper than Los Angeles for this household, a difference of 1,303 USD a month.

The Crypto.com arena in Los Angeles, as seen from a DJI Mavic 3.
Los Angeles
$4,659/month · United States
InvadingInvader · CC BY-SA 4.0
The skyline of Austin, the capital city of Texas. With a population of 961,855, it's the 13th-most populous city in the U.S.
Austin
$3,356/month · United States
Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0
Los Angeles monthly
$4,659
Index 73 (NYC = 100)
Austin monthly
$3,356
Index 53 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-28%
Austin relative to Los Angeles
Rent gap
$1,064
Los Angeles costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

Los AngelesAustin
  • Housing
    Housing: Los Angeles $2,507, Austin $1,443. Cheaper in Austin.
  • Food
    Food: Los Angeles $849, Austin $755. Cheaper in Austin.
  • Transport
    Transport: Los Angeles $186, Austin $114. Cheaper in Austin.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Los Angeles $239, Austin $235. Cheaper in Austin.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Los Angeles $537, Austin $513. Cheaper in Austin.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Los Angeles $182, Austin $154. Cheaper in Austin.
  • Other
    Other: Los Angeles $159, Austin $142. Cheaper in Austin.
Each row is one category priced in both cities for the same household. The bar is the gap; exact figures are in the table below.
Interactive — adjust the household

Full comparison

MetricLos AngelesAustin
Cost
Total monthly cost4,659 USD3,356 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)7353✓
Housing2,507 USD1,443 USD✓
Utilities239 USD235 USD✓
Food849 USD755 USD✓
Transport186 USD114 USD✓
Healthcare537 USD513 USD✓
Lifestyle182 USD154 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,978 USD6,575 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate28.3%21.1%✓
Left over each month1,319 USD3,219 USD✓
Average local net salary4,600 USD4,700 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre2,507 USD1,443 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre4,714 USD2,623 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre9,500 USD4,200 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety48/10062/100✓
Healthcare82/100✓78/100
Air quality45/10070/100✓
Public transport48/100✓32/100
Walkability55/100✓45/100
English proficiency100/100100/100
Nightlife88/100✓82/100
Family friendliness62/10074/100✓
Median broadband230 Mbps280 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature18°C✓21°C
Summer high29°C✓35°C
Winter low9°C✓4°C
Sunshine hours per year3,250 h✓2,650 h
Annual rainfall380 mm✓870 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach access30 min✓None nearby
CurrencyUSDUSD
Time zoneAmerica/Los_AngelesAmerica/Chicago

Austin runs about 28% cheaper than Los Angeles for this household, a difference of 1,303 USD a month.

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Cost of living in Los AngelesCost of living in AustinConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Los Angeles or Austin cheaper?

Austin runs about 28% cheaper than Los Angeles for this household, a difference of 1,303 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Austin compared with Los Angeles?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $5,978 a month in Los Angeles and $6,575 in Austin, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Los Angeles or Austin?

Los Angeles scores 48/100 on safety and 82/100 on healthcare; Austin scores 62 and 78. Los Angeles averages 18°C against 21°C in Austin.