City Cost Report
Austin skyline
Austin
Los Angeles skyline
Los Angeles
VS

Austin is 29% cheaper than Los Angeles overall.

AustinLos Angeles
Rent (1BR City Centre)$2,377.96 CAD$3,497.00 CAD
Rent (1BR Outside Centre)$1,958.32 CAD$2,867.54 CAD
Groceries Index100112
Monthly Transit Pass$57.35 CAD$139.88 CAD
Utilities (monthly)$209.82 CAD$209.82 CAD
Gas (per litre)$1.09 CAD$1.75 CAD
Mid-range Meal$32.17 CAD$34.97 CAD
Gym Membership$62.95 CAD$76.93 CAD
Childcare (monthly)$1,888.38 CAD$2,377.96 CAD

Each city is shown in your selected currency (toggle CAD/USD in the header); cheaper values are highlighted after converting to a common currency. Updated June 2026.

Salary Equivalence Calculator

If you earn $in Austin...

You would need $84,433 in Los Angeles to maintain the same lifestyle.

Frequently asked questions

Is Austin cheaper than Los Angeles?

Austin is 29% cheaper than Los Angeles overall.

How much is rent in Austin vs Los Angeles?

A one-bedroom in the city centre averages $1,700 USD per month in Austin and $2,500 USD in Los Angeles. Outside the centre, it is $1,400 USD in Austin and $2,050 USD in Los Angeles.

What salary do I need to move from Austin to Los Angeles?

On average, you need about 141% of your current salary — for example, $60,000 in Austin is roughly equivalent to $84,433 in Los Angeles.

Related comparisons