CostIndexUSA

Abilene, TX vs Los Angeles, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTX
Abilene
90.4
overall index
$1,775/mo rent
CA
Los Angeles
113.6
overall index
$2,875/mo rent

Abilene is significantly cheaper than Los Angeles — 25.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Abilene, you would need $100,500 in Los Angeles. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+130.9%
Abilene
73.8
Los Angeles
170.4
🛒 Groceries+13.6%
Abilene
93.8
Los Angeles
106.6
🚗 Transportation+8.4%
Abilene
101.1
Los Angeles
109.6
🏥 Healthcare+8.4%
Abilene
91.4
Los Angeles
99.1
Utilities+95.3%
Abilene
81.2
Los Angeles
158.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Abilene to see what you'd need to earn in Los Angeles to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Los Angeles, CA
$100,500
$20,500 more needed in Los Angeles

Formula: salary × (113.6 ÷ 90.4) = salary × 1.2566. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Abilene, TX

Median Home Price
$200,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,775
Housing Index
73.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
9.4×

Los Angeles, CA

Median Home Price
$944,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,875
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
27.4×

Los Angeles has 130.9% higher housing costs compared to Abilene.

Income & Job Market

Abilene, TX

Median Household Income
$61,300
Per Capita Income
$34,900
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Population
124,451
Top Industries
HealthcareMilitaryEducationRetailManufacturing

Los Angeles, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
3,979,576
Top Industries
EntertainmentTechnologyHealthcareLogisticsReal Estate

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Abilene, TX
2.9×income-to-rent ratio

65% of income left after rent (median)

Los Angeles, CA
2.7×income-to-rent ratio

63% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.