CostIndexUSA

Austin, TX vs Glendale, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTX
Austin
98.1
overall index
$1,550/mo rent
CA
Glendale
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent

Austin is significantly cheaper than Glendale — 15.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Austin, you would need $92,600 in Glendale. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+41.5%
Austin
120.4
Glendale
170.4
🛒 Groceries+13.6%
Austin
93.8
Glendale
106.6
🚗 Transportation+8.4%
Austin
101.1
Glendale
109.6
🏥 Healthcare+8.4%
Austin
91.4
Glendale
99.1
Utilities+93.4%
Austin
82
Glendale
158.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Austin to see what you'd need to earn in Glendale to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Glendale, CA
$92,600
$12,600 more needed in Glendale

Formula: salary × (113.6 ÷ 98.1) = salary × 1.1580. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Austin, TX

Median Home Price
$420,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,550
Housing Index
120.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.6×

Glendale, CA

Median Home Price
$565,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,550
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Glendale has 41.5% higher housing costs compared to Austin.

Income & Job Market

Austin, TX

Median Household Income
$98,500
Per Capita Income
$56,100
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
978,908
Top Industries
TechnologyGovernmentHealthcareEducationEntertainment

Glendale, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
196,543
Top Industries
EntertainmentHealthcareRetailManufacturingFinance

Affordability at a Glance

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

Austin, TX
5.3×income-to-rent ratio

81% of income left after rent (median)

Glendale, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% 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.