There are multiple tools available for calculating general cost of
living differences between different locations.

However, they all seem to ignore a few key cost elements that have a
significant impact.  I'm considering a move from Dallas, TX to the LA,
CA area.

What changes can I expect in terms of:
- Auto insurance rates
- Auto registration fees
- Any other fees I will have in bringing my car to CA
- General taxes (state income etc.)
- Renter's insurance

I moved from houston to san diego and now to LA.....

What you can expect for auto insurance is about a 25-30% increase in
your auto policy.

Registration fees are about the same... with one exception, they are
based on the value of your car... so if it's a brand new 30 K
car...250-300 bucks. If it's 3 years old... 150 bucks.

The smog impact fee was done away with many years ago, so you'll not
encounter that piece of idiot legislation.

Gas prices are generaly 30% higher here than what you'd pay in Texas.

General taxes, are usually made up for in the boost in salary you'll
no doubt be receiving.  lol...  State income tax on the order of 3-6%
but can be much higher if you get alternative minimums etc.  Property
taxes are generally friendlier than Texas in that you pay property tax
based on what you paid for your house, not what the local tax assessor
decides its worth.

Renters insurance was nominally more expensive, maybe an extra 40
bucks on 12 G's replacement cost.

You're in for the housing price shock of your life.  I've driven
Dallas traffic and LA traffic.  LA sucks about 2 times worse.

Welcome to LA LA land!

See my extensive comments on moving to LA for another questioner:

http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=325074

This was for someone moving from London, but you might find some useful info.

Good luck!
Jeff

Bob:

Logic would have it that TX car insurance would be cheaper.  However,
actuaries and insurance carriers don't follow logic, but loss rates.

You can get online rates from up to 4 auto insurance carriers securely at:

https://www.4carinsurancequotes.com/ 

When you are ready, you can buy online or over the phone.  

I have been in CA for about 15 years, but you used to have to pay a %
of the value of your car to "import it" into California.  For some
people this was a real hardship, to have to pay $300 or more on a used
car.

I think the CA bureaucrats have gone the extra mile to extract as much
productivity from the citizen as possible.  Of course, the weather,
sand and beaches were here long before the tax and spenders.  Just my
.03

autoinsguy