Median rent is 14% lower in New Braunfels ($1,654/mo vs $1,933/mo). Buying is cheaper in New Braunfels, where the median home runs $339,400 versus $921,200. Households earn more in New Braunfels ($86,021 vs $81,939 a year). Taken together, New Braunfels is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 94.3 against 114.7 — about 18% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in New Braunfels, TX.
Cost of living verdict
New Braunfels is 18% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 94.3 in New Braunfels vs 114.7 in Los Angeles (US national average = 100)
City A
Los Angeles, CA
City B
New Braunfels, TX
How much would you need to earn in New Braunfels, TX to maintain your standard of living from Los Angeles, CA?
Equivalent salary in New Braunfels, TX
$61,653
You could earn $13,347 less (18% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Los Angeles
California
New Braunfels
Texas
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: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in New Braunfels at $1,654/mo compared to $1,933/mo in Los Angeles (14% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $921,200 versus $339,400 in New Braunfels — 63% more expensive.
Metric
Los Angeles
New Braunfels
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Los Angeles
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
New Braunfels
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Los Angeles (avg AQI 31.0) but not yet for New Braunfels.
Pick New Braunfels if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 94.3 vs 114.7).
Pick New Braunfels if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,654/mo median).
New Braunfels is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 94.3 versus 114.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 18% lower in New Braunfels.
Median rent is $1,933/mo in Los Angeles, CA and $1,654/mo in New Braunfels, TX. New Braunfels, TX has the lower rent by about 14%.
Median household income is $81,939 in Los Angeles, CA and $86,021 in New Braunfels, TX. New Braunfels, TX has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Los Angeles, CA is equivalent to roughly $82,204 in New Braunfels, TX (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
