Atlanta vs Austin
Two markets on the list for people leaving LA. Here's how they stack up on price, pace and taxes, measured against what a typical LA home sells for.
| Atlanta, GA | Austin, TX | |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $415K | $570K |
| Median single-family | $480K | $600K |
| Median condo | $315K | $365K |
| Median $/sq ft | $284 | $316 |
| Median days on market | 48 | 47 |
| Avg sale-to-list | 98.1% | 97.7% |
| Sq ft for $1M (at median $/sq ft) | 3,520 | 3,160 |
| Californians who moved to the state (2024) | 14,052 | 77,161 |
Redfin Data Center, May 2026, all residential unless noted. Typical LA County zip for reference: $904K median, $588/sq ft, 44 median days on market. Mover counts: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2024, estimates with margins of error.
The short version
Atlanta is the less expensive of the two at the median, about $415K versus $570K in Austin, roughly 27% less (Redfin, May 2026). $1 million covers roughly 3,520 square feet in Atlanta at the median price per square foot, versus about 3,160 in Austin. Homes have been selling at a similar pace, about 48 median days on market in Atlanta and 47 in Austin. Georgia has a 4.99% flat income tax (tax year 2026). Texas has no personal income tax. In 2024 about 14,000 Californians moved to Georgia and about 77,000 to Texas (U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024).
Taxes
Atlanta: 4.99% flat rate (tax year 2026). Austin: None on wages (Texas has no personal income tax). Property tax, insurance and HOA costs vary by address in both places and can matter as much as income tax, so price them for any specific home.
Go deeper
Read the full guides: moving from LA to Atlanta and moving from LA to Austin.
Common questions
Is Atlanta or Austin cheaper?
Atlanta had the lower median sale price, about $415K versus $570K in Austin (Redfin, May 2026), roughly 27% less at the median.
Which has lower state income tax, Atlanta or Austin?
Austin has the lower state income tax. Texas has no personal income tax. By comparison, Georgia has a 4.99% flat income tax (tax year 2026). Rates change, so confirm with each state and a CPA.
What does $1 million buy in Atlanta vs Austin?
At the median price per square foot, $1 million works out to roughly 3,520 square feet in Atlanta and 3,160 in Austin, versus about 1,700 at the LA median. A rough illustration, not a listing.
