Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities βΊ Austin vs Los Angeles
Austin vs Los Angeles cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money Β· Updated September 2026
πΊπΈ Austin
πΊπΈ Los AngelesAustin is 28% cheaper than Los Angeles
Living on $5,920 a month in Austin feels like about $8,136 in Los Angeles β same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$310 vs $369
Per month
$5,920 vs $8,136
Local meal
$ 15 vs $ 18
$15 vs $18
Taxi 5 km
$ 16 vs $ 20
$16 vs $20
At a glance
FoodAustin 16% cheaper
CafΓ©s & drinksAustin 16% cheaper
TransportAustin 20% cheaper
StayAustin 24% cheaper
FunAustin 9% cheaper
- Where Austin is clearly cheaper: Studio rent (month) (32%β), Transit (29%β), Taxi (20%β)
Item by item
| Item | Austin | Los Angeles | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $ 15$15 | $ 18$18 | Austin β17% |
| Street food1 item | $ 6.8$6.8 | $ 8.1$8.1 | Austin β16% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | $ 38$38 | $ 45$45 | Austin β16% |
| Coffeeone cup | $ 5$5 | $ 5.5$5.5 | Austin β9% |
| Beerone bottle | $ 6.5$6.5 | $ 8$8 | Austin β19% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $ 17$17 | $ 21$21 | Austin β19% |
| Bottled water | $ 2$2 | $ 2$2 | similar |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | $ 5$5 | $ 5$5 | similar |
| Taxi5 km in town | $ 16$16 | $ 20$20 | Austin β20% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $ 11$11 | $ 12$12 | Austin β8% |
| Transitone ride | $ 1.25$1.25 | $ 1.75$1.75 | Austin β29% |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 56$56 | $ 62$62 | Austin β10% |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 170$170 | $ 200$200 | Austin β15% |
| Studio rent (month) | $ 1,700$1,700 | $ 2,500$2,500 | Austin β32% |
| Laundry | $ 3.5$3.5 | $ 4$4 | Austin β12% |
| SIM card1 week data | $ 23$23 | $ 26$26 | Austin β12% |
| Haircutcut | $ 33$33 | $ 35$35 | Austin β6% |
| Massage1 hour | $ 93$93 | $ 100$100 | Austin β7% |
| Half-day tourper person | $ 84$84 | $ 93$93 | Austin β10% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | $ 23$23 | $ 26$26 | Austin β12% |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Austin or Los Angeles?
Austin is 28% cheaper than Los Angeles. Daily budget $310 vs $369; a month $5,920 vs $8,136.
How do monthly costs compare between Austin and Los Angeles?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Austin is about $5,920 and Los Angeles about $8,136 per month.
Where do the numbers come from?
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.