City comparison
Los Angeles vs Austin Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Los Angeles (148.5) and Austin (116.9).
Los Angeles Index
148.5
Austin Index
116.9
Los Angeles Rent
$4,025
Austin Rent
$2,675
Los Angeles Home price
$730,000
Austin Home price
$484,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Los Angeles to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Austin.
Equivalent salary in Austin
$98,401
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Los Angeles and Austin.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Los Angeles | Austin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 208 | 146 | -62.0 (-29.8%) |
| Groceries | 123 | 103 | -20.0 (-16.3%) |
| Transportation | 118 | 102 | -16.0 (-13.6%) |
| Healthcare | 111 | 99 | -12.0 (-10.8%) |
| Utilities | 109 | 98 | -11.0 (-10.1%) |
| Miscellaneous | 121 | 104 | -17.0 (-14.0%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$7,070 / $5,310
Los Angeles / Austin
Couple
$11,740 / $8,810
Los Angeles / Austin
Family
$16,540 / $12,430
Los Angeles / Austin
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Los Angeles city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Los Angeles.
View Austin city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Austin.
Last updated: Q1 2026
Data as of Q1 2026. Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, HUD Fair Market Rents.
Cost of living indexes use the national average as baseline (100). Data is updated periodically.