Cost of Living: Austin, TX vs East Los Angeles, CA (2026)

Austin

Texas
134
VS

East Los Angeles

California
134

Austin and East Los Angeles have a similar cost of living.

$1,655/mo ↑ 16%
Median Rent
$1,431/mo ↓ 14%
$91,461/yr ↑ 34%
Median Income
$68,378/yr ↓ 25%
$512,700 ↓ 16%
Home Value
$613,600 ↑ 20%
$1,747/mo ↑ 20%
Owner Costs
$1,458/mo ↓ 17%
967,862
Population
114,617

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

21.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Austin, TX and East Los Angeles, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 134 and 134 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $224/month cheaper in East Los Angeles, saving renters about $2,688/year.

Median household income is $23,083/year higher in Austin. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Austin is $512,700 compared to $613,600 in East Los Angeles.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Austin residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Austin vs East Los Angeles — common questions

Is Austin or East Los Angeles cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, East Los Angeles is cheaper to live in with an index of 134 compared to 134 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Austin and East Los Angeles?
Median rent in Austin is $1,655/month and in East Los Angeles it's $1,431/month — a difference of $224/month.
Which city has higher income, Austin or East Los Angeles?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin and $68,378 in East Los Angeles. Median household income is $23,083/year higher in Austin.
How do taxes compare between Texas and California?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Austin or East Los Angeles?
It depends on your priorities. Austin has a cost index of 134 with median rent of $1,655/mo, while East Los Angeles has a cost index of 134 with rent of $1,431/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Austin details → View East Los Angeles details →

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