Performance
Score Breakdown
Austin
Los Angeles
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Austin is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
28% lower compared to Los Angeles.
Housing costs are a major driver: Austin's average rent is
30% lower than Los Angeles's.
| Metric | Austin | Los Angeles | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,866 | $2,656 | -30% |
| Groceries | $450 | $550 | -18% |
| Utilities | $200 | $320 | -38% |
| Transport | $90 | $150 | -40% |
| Healthcare | $175 | $200 | -13% |
| Monthly Total | $2,781 | $3,876 | -28% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 152 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Los Angeles offers 1% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Austin delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Austin is estimated at
$69,000 vs $100,000 in Los Angeles.
| Metric | Austin | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $74,152 | $75,000 |
| Salary Needed | $69,000 | $100,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 77,242 idx | 49,342 idx |
| Household Income | $93,658 | $90,757 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Austin | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 67.00% | 69.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Austin has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Los Angeles.
Los Angeles scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Los Angeles leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Austin | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 32 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Walkability | 40.0/10 | 68.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 180.00 | 75.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Los Angeles is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Austin.
From a growth perspective, Austin is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Austin has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Austin | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,011,743 | 3,869,089 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.91% | % |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 37.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.70% | 5.60% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $760.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Austin
Advantages
Austin's job market is robust, with 2.0% growth in 2025, ranking it as the best-performing among the 50 largest U.S. metros.
The unemployment rate in Austin is low, at 3.7% in January 2026, outperforming state and national averages.
Austin's violent crime rate in 2025 was 22% below the national average, contributing to a relatively safe urban environment.
The city offers a vibrant cultural scene, renowned for its live music, diverse dining, and extensive outdoor recreational opportunities.
Texas has no state income tax, allowing residents to retain more of their earnings.
Drawbacks
Despite recent dips, housing costs in Austin remain a significant expense, with average rent at $1,866/month in June 2026.
The overall crime rate in Austin is 23% below the national average, but it is 75% higher than the U.S. average and 44% higher than Texas according to 2024 FBI figures.
Austin exhibits high car dependency, with 56% of commuters driving alone in 2024, indicating challenges in public transit and walkability for some areas.
Some key industries, such as information and manufacturing, experienced job declines in 2025.
The average cost of a doctor's visit without insurance in Austin is relatively high at $175.
Los Angeles
Advantages
Los Angeles boasts a diverse and robust economy, with strong sectors in healthcare, trade, and entertainment.
The city offers a vibrant cultural scene, including world-class museums, theaters, and a diverse culinary landscape.
Residents enjoy a Mediterranean climate with abundant sunshine and mild winters, ideal for outdoor activities.
Los Angeles is a global hub for innovation and technology, attracting talent and fostering new businesses.
The metropolitan area provides access to numerous educational institutions, from community colleges to top-tier universities.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Los Angeles is significantly higher than the national average, primarily driven by expensive housing.
Los Angeles experiences considerable traffic congestion, leading to long commute times and high car dependency.
Housing affordability remains a major challenge, with median home prices exceeding $1.0 million as of April 2026.
The city has experienced population decline in recent years, with Los Angeles County losing over 53,000 residents between July 2024 and July 2025.
The unemployment rate in Los Angeles County, at 5.6% in December 2025, is higher than the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Austin
#8Texas, USA
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,866
Avg Salary
$74,152
Cost Index
96
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.91%
Unemployment
3.70%
Livability
82
Business
85
Los Angeles
#8California, USA
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,656
Avg Salary
$75,000
Cost Index
152
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
50.0/10
Walkability
68.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.60%
Livability
80
Business
75
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