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Cost of living · head to head

Washington, DC is approximately 4% cheaper than Los Angeles, CA, using Los Angeles, CA as the comparison base.

Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average. Figures represent the wider Los Angeles, CA and Washington, DC metropolitan areas, not city limits.

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Los Angeles, CAoverall index
113.6
Washington, DCoverall index
108.9
Estimated salary equivalent based on regional price levels
in Los Angeles, CA
A salary of $100,000 in Los Angeles, CA has approximately the same purchasing power as $95,863 in Washington, DC, based on regional price levels.
In plain terms: Washington, DC is cheaper than Los Angeles, CA, so you’d only need about $95,863 there to match the lifestyle $100,000 buys in Los Angeles, CA — same groceries, same rent level, same everyday spending. That’s ~$4,100 less you’d need to earn, not a step down.
Before tax. This estimate does not account for individual spending habits, household size, taxes, childcare, healthcare, transport choices or personal housing circumstances.

Where the difference lies

The headline gap is 4%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing rents in Washington, DC run 11% lower than in Los Angeles, CA (151.1 vs 170.4), while everyday goods and services sit closer together. For most people, housing rents move the most when relocating between these two metros, so weigh that gap more heavily than the overall figure.

Category comparison

CategoryLos Angeles, CAWashington, DCDifference
Overall113.6108.9-4%
Goods106.6104.8-2%
Housing rents170.4151.1-11%
Utilities158.6106.7-33%
Other services104.4102.3-2%

Washington, DC differs from Los Angeles, CA the most in utilities — about 33% lower in Washington, DC — while the closest is goods.

Estimated salary equivalent in Washington, DC

$50,000 in Los Angeles, CA$47,931
$75,000 in Los Angeles, CA$71,897
$100,000 in Los Angeles, CA$95,863
$150,000 in Los Angeles, CA$143,794
$200,000 in Los Angeles, CA$191,725

Each row shows the estimated salary equivalent in Washington, DC, based on regional price levels, for the amount earned in Los Angeles, CA.

Before tax. This estimate does not account for individual spending habits, household size, taxes, childcare, healthcare, transport choices or personal housing circumstances.

Common questions

Is Washington, DC cheaper than Los Angeles, CA?

Yes — Washington, DC has an overall cost-of-living index of 108.9 versus 113.6 for Los Angeles, CA, making it about 4% cheaper.

What is the estimated salary equivalent for $100,000 in Los Angeles, CA if you moved to Washington, DC?

About $95,863, based on regional price levels — a $100,000 salary in Los Angeles, CA has approximately the same purchasing power as $95,863 in Washington, DC. This is an estimate and does not account for taxes, household size, or personal spending habits.

Is housing cheaper in Washington, DC than in Los Angeles, CA?

Housing rents in Washington, DC score 151.1 versus 170.4 in Los Angeles, CA — about 11% cheaper. Housing rents are often the main driver of differences in overall price levels between metro areas.

What is the cost of living difference between Los Angeles, CA and Washington, DC?

Overall, Washington, DC is about 4% cheaper than Los Angeles, CA (index 108.9 vs 113.6), with housing 11% lower. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.