Cost of Living: Los Angeles vs Austin
Purchasing Power Parity: how far does your salary go in Los Angeles compared to Austin?
In Los Angeles, a salary of $100,000 is equivalent to about $87K in Austin. That means Austin offers 15% more spending power. Your money goes further in Austin.
Based on Numbeo cost of living indices. Full methodology.
Salary Converter
Equivalent salary needed in Austin
$87K
To maintain the same standard of living, you'd need $87K in Austin vs $100K in Los Angeles
Los Angeles
78.6
Cost of Living Index (NYC = 100)
Austin
68.2
Cost of Living Index (NYC = 100)
How They Compare
Austin is 13% cheaper than Los Angeles
What Top Roles Earn Here
Real salary data for roles with earnings data in both Los Angeles and Austin, adjusted for cost of living.
| Role | Los Angeles median | Austin median | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $157K | $140K | Austin wins by 3% |
| Information Technology Project Managers | $159K | $127K | Los Angeles wins by 8% |
| Data Scientists | $119K | $139K | Austin wins by 36% |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $237K | $194K | Los Angeles wins by 6% |
| Business Intelligence Analysts | $110K | $118K | Austin wins by 24% |
Salary data from public records. Adjusted for cost of living using PPP ratio (0.87x). Methodology.
See real salary data
Check actual public salaries for these cities on RoleHue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:How much more does it cost to live in Los Angeles vs Austin?
A: Los Angeles is approximately 15% more expensive than Austin, based on Numbeo cost of living indices. A salary of $100,000 in Austin is equivalent to about $115K in Los Angeles. However, actual costs vary by lifestyle, housing choices, and tax situation.
Q:What salary do I need in Los Angeles to match $100,000 in Austin?
A: To maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Austin, you would need approximately $115K in Los Angeles. This accounts for differences in housing, groceries, transportation, and other living expenses between the two cities.
Q:Are these cost of living differences accurate for everyone?
A: Cost of living indices provide a useful benchmark, but individual experiences vary by lifestyle, housing choices, and tax situation. The data comes from Numbeo's crowd-sourced cost of living database and reflects average spending patterns. Use the interactive calculator above to model your specific salary scenario.
Q:How do real salaries compare between Los Angeles and Austin?
A: Based on 5 roles with salary data in both cities, Austin wins by 3% when adjusted for cost of living. See the role comparison table below for detailed breakdowns with links to full salary pages.
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