Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Austin to Los Angeles
Moving from Austin to Los Angeles involves distinct housing, income, commute, and tax trade-offs according to 2024 ACS 5-year Census data. In a standardized renting scenario, Austin averages approximately $2,448 less per year in baseline core expenses. Austin records a median gross rent of $1,729/mo against $1,933/mo in Los Angeles, while median household incomes stand at $93,658 and $81,939 respectively. Commute times average 26 minutes in Austin compared to 33 minutes in Los Angeles. State income tax policies (Texas: 0.0%, California: 9.3%) can further influence take-home earnings.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Los Angeles → AustinMoving from Austin to Los Angeles
Median Rent Impact
+$204/mo
Moving to Los Angeles costs ~$2,448 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+9.3%
~$9,300 more state tax on a $100k salary in California.
Daily Commute Difference
+7 min / day
Difference of ~58 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
Adjust the assumptions. Every result updates instantly.
Search all 32,330 U.S. Census places directly below.Instant results use official 2024 ACS place data. Places with incomplete required signals remain visible in search but cannot be selected.
Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.
LIVE VERDICTATX → LAX
44/ 100
The offer needs work
The destination absorbs more of the offer.Estimated annual life delta−$480after modeled taxes and essentials
Best gainA large labor market with a household-income benchmark above New York's
Watch closelyA $921,200 ownership benchmark and a conservative marginal California tax reference
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Austin is about $2,448 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.
Austin household income$93,658
Los Angeles household income$81,939
Austin gross rent$1,729
Los Angeles gross rent$1,933
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Austin | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 979,539 | 3,857,263 |
| Median household income | $93,658 | $81,939 |
| Median gross rent | $1,729 | $1,933 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $555,300 | $921,200 |
| State-tax treatment | 0% simplified | 9.3% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 26 minutes in Austin and 33 minutes in Los Angeles. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.
Decision checklist
- Housing cost: Los Angeles median rent is ~$2,448/year higher
- Income scale: Austin local median income is $11,719 higher
- State tax treatment: Texas (0.0%) vs California (9.3%)
- Commute reality: 26 min one-way (Austin) vs 33 min (Los Angeles)
What each city wins
Austin
Rent is affordable relative to income; home purchase is not.. Watch lower rent burden may reflect high incomes or constrained supply; high home values suggest strong demand or limited inventory..
Los Angeles
A large labor market with a household-income benchmark above New York's. Watch a $921,200 ownership benchmark and a conservative marginal california tax reference.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to live in Los Angeles than Austin?
No. Los Angeles has a higher median gross rent benchmark ($1,933/mo) compared to Austin ($1,729/mo).
How do salaries compare between Austin and Los Angeles?
The 2024 ACS 5-year Census estimate indicates median household income in Austin is $93,658 versus $81,939 in Los Angeles.
How does moving from Austin to Los Angeles impact state income tax?
Texas has no state income tax, whereas California uses an official reference rate of 9.3%.
Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. Tax rates are simplified official references, not personal tax calculations. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.