What is the cost of living in Los Angeles?

The cost of living in Los Angeles is 24.5% cheaper than New York City (index: 75.5). Groceries are 15.0% cheaper than NYC. Restaurants are 2.7% more expensive than NYC. A 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre costs approximately USD 2,544 per month. Local purchasing power index is 98.2 (NYC = 100).

🇺🇸 CA, United States · #21 of 577 cities · 2026

Should I Move to Los Angeles?

Q: Should I move to Los Angeles?

Los Angeles, CA, United States has a cost of living 24.5% cheaper than New York City (index: 75.5). It is ranked #21 out of 577 cities globally. Local purchasing power is strong (index: 98.2 vs NYC = 100). Use our salary comparison calculator to see exactly how your take-home pay would change.

24.5% cheaper than NYC, and purchasing power is strong.

Run the calculator below with your actual salary to get a personalised answer.

-24.5%

vs NYC

USD 2,544

1-BR, city centre

98.2

Purchasing Power

Strong

Purchasing Power

Cost index: Numbeo, blended with Expatistan and LivingCost where available (NYC = 100) · Data from October 2026

Personalised Answer

Compare your salary: move to Los Angeles?

Cost breakdown: Los Angeles

Cost indices vs NYC = 100

Cost of Living

75.5 Very expensive

Rent

67.7 Moderate

Groceries

85.0 Above average

Restaurants

102.7 Expensive

Purchasing Power

98.2 Strong

Rent in Los Angeles

1-BR, city centre USD 2,544/mo

1-BR, outside centre USD 2,413/mo

3-BR, city centre USD 5,497/mo

3-BR, outside centre USD 4,290/mo

Save by going outside centre 5% cheaper

Numbeo · 2026-10-02

Considering alternatives?

Cities in the same country or region with a comparable cost of living.

🇺🇸 Oakland

CA, United States

CoL index 75.1

Compare Oakland vs Los Angeles →

🇺🇸 San Diego

CA, United States

CoL index 79.3

Compare San Diego vs Los Angeles →

🇺🇸 San Francisco

CA, United States

CoL index 84.1

Compare San Francisco vs Los Angeles →

Ready to run the numbers?

Enter your salary and current city. Get exact take-home pay in Los Angeles after tax, in seconds.

Compare salaries → Full cost of living data

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