Cost of living · head to head
Los Angeles, CA is 1% cheaper than Miami, FL.
Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average.
Miami, FLoverall index
114.2
Los Angeles, CAoverall index
113.6
Try your own salary
in Miami, FL
To live the same in Los Angeles, CA, you’d need about $99,475.
That’s about $525 less — Los Angeles, CA is cheaper.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 1%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in Los Angeles, CA runs 10% higher than in Miami, FL (170.4 vs 155.6), 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 Los Angeles, CA
| $50,000 in Miami, FL | $49,737 |
| $75,000 in Miami, FL | $74,606 |
| $100,000 in Miami, FL | $99,475 |
| $150,000 in Miami, FL | $149,212 |
| $200,000 in Miami, FL | $198,949 |
Each row shows the salary in Los Angeles, CA that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in Miami, FL.
Miami, FL · housing
155.6
Los Angeles, CA · housing
170.4
Common questions
Is Los Angeles, CA cheaper than Miami, FL?
Yes — Los Angeles, CA has an overall cost-of-living index of 113.6 versus 114.2 for Miami, FL, making it about 1% cheaper.
How much do you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to match $100,000 in Miami, FL?
About $99,475. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in Miami, FL costs roughly $99,475 in Los Angeles, CA.
Is housing cheaper in Los Angeles, CA than in Miami, FL?
Housing in Los Angeles, CA scores 170.4 versus 155.6 in Miami, FL — about 10% more expensive. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
What is the cost of living difference between Miami, FL and Los Angeles, CA?
Overall, Los Angeles, CA is about 1% cheaper than Miami, FL (index 113.6 vs 114.2), with housing 10% higher. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.