Los Angeles vs. Austin: Salary & Cost of Living
Los Angeles to Austin is a popular relocation for professionals chasing lower costs and no state income tax. Here is what a $180,000 Los Angeles salary is worth in Austin once housing, goods, and taxes are accounted for.
Equivalent salary
A $180,000 salary in Los Angeles is worth about $133,788 in Austin to maintain the same standard of living.
| Category | Los Angeles | Austin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 225 | 142 | -37% |
| Utilities | 146 | 115 | -21% |
| Transportation | 156 | 119 | -24% |
| Groceries | 136 | 112 | -18% |
| Healthcare | 130 | 110 | -15% |
| Childcare | 173 | 124 | -28% |
| Dining Out | 159 | 120 | -25% |
| Entertainment | 153 | 118 | -23% |
| Insurance | 140 | 113 | -19% |
| Consumer Goods | 133 | 111 | -17% |
State income tax: Los Angeles 9.3% vs. Austin 0%.
Median rent (2BR): $3,940 in Los Angeles vs. $2,490 in Austin. Median home price: $945,000 vs. $596,000.
Austin is about 26% cheaper than Los Angeles. Keeping your current salary there delivers a real purchasing-power gain of roughly $46,212 a year. Austin also has a state income tax about 9.3 points lower, adding to your take-home advantage.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Austin cheaper than Los Angeles?
- Yes. Austin is meaningfully cheaper than Los Angeles, driven mostly by housing. Texas also has no state income tax versus California’s high rates, so the take-home advantage of an Austin move compounds the cost-of-living gap.
- What salary do I need in Austin to match Los Angeles?
- Because Austin costs less across nearly every category, you can preserve your Los Angeles standard of living on a lower nominal salary. Use the calculator above to model your exact number, including the state-tax difference.
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