Cost of living · head to head
Philadelphia, PA is 10% cheaper than Los Angeles, CA.
Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average.
Los Angeles, CAoverall index
113.6
Philadelphia, PAoverall index
102.6
Try your own salary
in Los Angeles, CA
To live the same in Philadelphia, PA, you’d need about $90,317.
That’s about $9,683 less — Philadelphia, PA is cheaper.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 10%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in Philadelphia, PA runs 34% lower than in Los Angeles, CA (113.1 vs 170.4), while everyday goods and services sit closer together. For most people the rent or mortgage line moves the most when relocating between these two metros, so weigh that gap more heavily than the overall figure.
Salary you’d need in Philadelphia, PA
| $50,000 in Los Angeles, CA | $45,158 |
| $75,000 in Los Angeles, CA | $67,738 |
| $100,000 in Los Angeles, CA | $90,317 |
| $150,000 in Los Angeles, CA | $135,475 |
| $200,000 in Los Angeles, CA | $180,634 |
Each row shows the salary in Philadelphia, PA that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in Los Angeles, CA.
Los Angeles, CA · housing
170.4
Philadelphia, PA · housing
113.1
Common questions
Is Philadelphia, PA cheaper than Los Angeles, CA?
Yes — Philadelphia, PA has an overall cost-of-living index of 102.6 versus 113.6 for Los Angeles, CA, making it about 10% cheaper.
How much do you need to earn in Philadelphia, PA to match $100,000 in Los Angeles, CA?
About $90,317. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in Los Angeles, CA costs roughly $90,317 in Philadelphia, PA.
Is housing cheaper in Philadelphia, PA than in Los Angeles, CA?
Housing in Philadelphia, PA scores 113.1 versus 170.4 in Los Angeles, CA — about 34% cheaper. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
What is the cost of living difference between Los Angeles, CA and Philadelphia, PA?
Overall, Philadelphia, PA is about 10% cheaper than Los Angeles, CA (index 102.6 vs 113.6), with housing 34% lower. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.