The numbers, side by side
| Metric | Los Angeles | Austin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost-of-living index | 166 | 121 | -45 |
| 1-bed rent (avg) | $2,500 | $1,700 | -$800 |
| 2-bed rent (avg) | $3,200 | $2,200 | -$1,000 |
| Median household income | $65,290 | $71,349 | +$6,059 |
| Population | 3,979,576 | 978,908 | -3,000,668 |
What salary you'd need in Austin
To maintain your Los Angeles purchasing power, here's what you'd need to earn in Austin.
Los Angeles vs Austin: which makes more sense for you?
On paper, Los Angeles's cost-of-living index of 166 runs roughly 27.1% higher than Austin's 121. But that headline number papers over real differences in how that cost is distributed — rent might be far more expensive while groceries and transit costs run closer to even.
The rent gap
A 1-bedroom apartment in Los Angeles averages $2,500/month, vs $1,700/month in Austin — a -$800 difference. For 2-bedrooms, the gap widens to -$1,000/month. Over a year, the rent difference alone is $9,600 on a 1-bed.
Income context
Median household income in Los Angeles is $65,290, while Austin runs $71,349 (+$6,059 difference). That matters for how the cost-of-living gap actually feels day-to-day — if local salaries are also higher, the cost difference washes out partly. If local salaries lag the cost-of-living gap, your paycheck buys noticeably less.
State tax differences
Los Angeles is in California and Austin is in Texas, so you'll also pick up a state-tax difference. Tax-free states like Texas, Florida, Tennessee, Washington, and Nevada deliver real take-home upside even when nominal salaries are similar.