Moving from Austin to Los Angeles?
Here's what you'd need to earn to maintain your lifestyle.
To maintain your Austin lifestyle in Los Angeles, you'd need to earn:
$86,850/year
▲ $11,850 more than you make now
| Category | Austin | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Salary | $75,000 | $86,850 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$8,114 | -$10,721 |
| Social Security | -$4,650 | -$5,385 |
| Medicare | -$1,088 | -$1,259 |
| State Tax | -$0 | -$4,619 |
| Take-Home Pay | $61,149 | $64,866 |
Why the difference
- Cost of living is +15.8% in Los Angeles
- Housing is +41.5% in Los Angeles
- At the same $75,000 salary, you'd pay $3,517/year in taxes in Los Angeles
Estimated Moving Costs
Distance: ~1,225 miles
DIY Truck
$4,000
Container
$6,500
Full-Service
$9,000
Salary Equivalents: Austin to Los Angeles
| Your Austin Salary | Los Angeles Equivalent | Difference | Los Angeles Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $46,320 | +$6,320 | $37,900 |
| $50,000 | $57,900 | +$7,900 | $46,469 |
| $60,000 | $69,480 | +$9,480 | $54,247 |
| $75,000 | $86,850 | +$11,850 | $64,866 |
| $100,000 | $115,800 | +$15,800 | $82,540 |
| $150,000 | $173,700 | +$23,700 | $116,780 |
Single filer, 2025 tax brackets, standard deduction. Equivalents based on BEA Regional Price Parities.
How Austin and Los Angeles Compare
Housing (42% more expensive in Los Angeles)
The average 1-bedroom apartment in Los Angeles rents for $2,295/month compared to $1,549/month in Austin. Median home prices: $940,000 in Los Angeles vs $400,000 in Austin.
Taxes
Texas has no state income tax. California has a progressive state income tax from 1.0% to 13.3%. On a $75,000 salary, moving to Los Angeles would cost you about $3,517/year in taxes alone.
Overall Cost of Living
Los Angeles's overall cost of living is 15.8% higher than Austin, based on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (where 100 = national average).Austin: 98.1, Los Angeles: 113.6.
Plan Your Move
Get Free Moving Quotes
Compare rates from licensed movers for your Austin to Los Angeles move. Average cost: $4,000–$9,000.
Compare Moving Quotes →Find Apartments in Los Angeles
Average 1BR rent in Los Angeles: $2,295/month. Browse available listings.
Search Apartments →High-Yield Savings
Park your moving fund in a 4.5%+ APY savings account while you plan your relocation.
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