Austin vs Los Angeles: Cost of Living & Housing Comparison

Austin's median home value is $461,500 — 44% lower than Los Angeles's $822,600.

Typical households bring in $86,556 a year in Austin, versus $76,244 in Los Angeles.

Median rent is $1,549 in Austin, compared with $1,791 in Los Angeles.

Austin carries FEMA's Relatively High hazard rating, compared with Very High for Los Angeles.

Metric	Austin, TX	Los Angeles, CA
Population	958,202	3,881,041
Median home value	$461,500	$822,600
Median household income	$86,556	$76,244
Median gross rent	$1,549	$1,791
Climate risk (FEMA)	Relatively High	Very High

Austin, TX comes out ahead on housing affordability versus Los Angeles, CA, with both a lower median home value and lower rent. Housing only — not the full cost-of-living picture.

Moving between Austin and Los Angeles

Austin and Los Angeles are 1,233 miles apart in a straight line.

What changes when you move	Austin → Los Angeles	Los Angeles → Austin
Median rent	+$242/mo (+16%)	−$242/mo (−14%)
Median home value	+$361,100 (+78%)	−$361,100 (−44%)
Median household income	−$10,312 (−12%)	+$10,312 (+14%)

Estimated moving cost (either direction)

Home size	Estimated cost
Studio / 1-bedroom	$1,643 – $2,616
2-3 bedroom	$3,754 – $5,914
4+ bedroom house	$6,268 – $9,832

Estimates based on typical per-mile and per-room moving-industry rates; actual quotes vary by mover, season, and access. Not a quote from any specific company.

Austin, TX Los Angeles, CA

1,418 miles estimated driving distance · 23.6 hours of highway driving

DIY Truck Rental

$1,790 – $2,279

Includes an estimated $496 in fuel (142 gal at ~10 mpg) over 3 driving days.

Professional Movers

$6,661 – $12,338

Full-service crew, loading and unloading included.

Estimates based on typical rental-truck, fuel, and professional-mover industry rates; actual quotes vary by carrier, season, and access. Not a quote from any specific company.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey; FEMA National Risk Index

Data last updated July 2026.