Kept

City vs city

Los Angeles vs Austin

$100,000 in Los Angeles buys a lifestyle closer to $80,000 in Austin, because Austin's cost-of-living index is 119 versus 149.

Los Angeles

Large, spread-out, and car-dependent. Housing and insurance push costs well above the US average.

COL index
149
Typical 1-bed
$2,550/mo
Comfortable salary
$127,000
$100k take-home
$73,957
Full Los Angeles guide

Austin

No state income tax. Rents fell from the 2022 peak but remain above most Texas metros.

COL index
119
Typical 1-bed
$1,650/mo
Comfortable salary
$101,000
$100k take-home
$79,180
Full Austin guide

More comparisons: vs New York Cityvs San Franciscovs San Josevs Oaklandvs San Diegovs Irvine