Median rent is 9% lower in Auburn ($1,713/mo vs $1,879/mo). Buying is cheaper in Auburn, where the median home runs $510,400 versus $879,500. Households earn more in Auburn ($95,367 vs $80,366 a year).
City A
Auburn, WA
City B
Los Angeles, CA
How much would you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to maintain your standard of living from Auburn, WA?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Auburn
Washington
Los Angeles
California
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Auburn at $1,713/mo compared to $1,879/mo in Los Angeles (9% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $879,500 versus $510,400 in Auburn — 42% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Washington has no state income tax, while California tops out at 13.30% — giving Auburn a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 6.50% in Washington and 7.25% in California; Auburn has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Auburn
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.50%
Los Angeles
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
Air quality data is available for Los Angeles (avg AQI 77.0) but not yet for Auburn.
Pick Auburn if you prioritize higher median household income ($95,367/yr).
Pick Auburn if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Auburn cheaper than Los Angeles?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Auburn vs Los Angeles?
Median rent is $1,713/mo in Auburn, WA and $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, CA. Auburn, WA has the lower rent by about 9%.
Which has higher salaries — Auburn or Los Angeles?
Median household income is $95,367 in Auburn, WA and $80,366 in Los Angeles, CA. Auburn, WA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Auburn or Los Angeles?
Washington has no state income tax. California has a top rate of 13.30%.
What salary do I need in Los Angeles to match my Auburn income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology