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Cost of living · head to head

Los Angeles, CA is approximately 1% pricier than New York, NY, using New York, NY 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 New York, NY and Los Angeles, CA metropolitan areas, not city limits.

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New York, NYoverall index
112.6
Los Angeles, CAoverall index
113.6
Estimated salary equivalent based on regional price levels
in New York, NY
A salary of $100,000 in New York, NY has approximately the same purchasing power as $100,888 in Los Angeles, CA, based on regional price levels.
In plain terms: New York, NY and Los Angeles, CA cost about the same overall, so $100,000 would go roughly as far in either place — your day-to-day spending shouldn’t feel noticeably different.
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 1%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing rents in Los Angeles, CA run 15% higher than in New York, NY (170.4 vs 148.6), 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

CategoryNew York, NYLos Angeles, CADifference
Overall112.6113.6+1%
Goods110.3106.6-3%
Housing rents148.6170.4+15%
Utilities127.0158.6+25%
Other services105.8104.4-1%

Los Angeles, CA differs from New York, NY the most in utilities — about 25% higher in Los Angeles, CA — while the closest is other services.

Estimated salary equivalent in Los Angeles, CA

$50,000 in New York, NY$50,444
$75,000 in New York, NY$75,666
$100,000 in New York, NY$100,888
$150,000 in New York, NY$151,332
$200,000 in New York, NY$201,776

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

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 Los Angeles, CA cheaper than New York, NY?

No — Los Angeles, CA has an overall cost-of-living index of 113.6 versus 112.6 for New York, NY, making it about 1% more expensive.

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

About $100,888, based on regional price levels — a $100,000 salary in New York, NY has approximately the same purchasing power as $100,888 in Los Angeles, CA. This is an estimate and does not account for taxes, household size, or personal spending habits.

Is housing cheaper in Los Angeles, CA than in New York, NY?

Housing rents in Los Angeles, CA score 170.4 versus 148.6 in New York, NY — about 15% more expensive. Housing rents are often the main driver of differences in overall price levels between metro areas.

What is the cost of living difference between New York, NY and Los Angeles, CA?

Overall, Los Angeles, CA is about 1% pricier than New York, NY (index 113.6 vs 112.6), with housing 15% higher. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.