Cost of Living: Austin vs Los Angeles (2026)

Austin vs Los Angeles cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Los Angeles is about 16% more expensive than Austin overall — $100,000 in Austin is worth about $115,806 in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles is about 16% more expensive than Austin overall — $100,000 in Austin is worth about $115,806 in Los Angeles.

Austin vs Los Angeles: the numbers

MetricAustinLos AngelesDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)98114+16%
Median rent$1,655$1,879+14%
Median home value$512,700$879,500+72%
Median household income$91,461$80,366-12%

Cost of living = BEA Regional Price Parities (US average = 100). Rent, home value, and income from the U.S. Census ACS. See our methodology.

What your salary is worth

A $100,000 salary in Austin has the same buying power as about $115,806 in Los Angeles. Going the other way, $100,000 in Los Angeles is like $86,352 in Austin.

Use the calculator below to compare any salary between Austin and Los Angeles.

Compare any salary: Austin vs Los Angeles

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Los Angeles is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 114 vs 98 — a 16% difference. Your money goes further in Austin.

About $115,806 — that's what you'd need in Los Angeles to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Austin.