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Cost of living · head to head

Los Angeles, CA is approximately 11% pricier than Philadelphia, PA, using Philadelphia, PA 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 Philadelphia, PA and Los Angeles, CA metropolitan areas, not city limits.

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Philadelphia, PAoverall index
102.6
Los Angeles, CAoverall index
113.6
Estimated salary equivalent based on regional price levels
in Philadelphia, PA
A salary of $100,000 in Philadelphia, PA has approximately the same purchasing power as $110,721 in Los Angeles, CA, based on regional price levels.
In plain terms: Los Angeles, CA is more expensive than Philadelphia, PA, so you’d need about $110,721 there to match the lifestyle $100,000 buys in Philadelphia, PA — same groceries, same rent level, same everyday spending. That’s ~$10,700 more to cover the higher cost of living, not a real raise.
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 11%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing rents in Los Angeles, CA run 51% higher than in Philadelphia, PA (170.4 vs 113.1), 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

CategoryPhiladelphia, PALos Angeles, CADifference
Overall102.6113.6+11%
Goods96.8106.6+10%
Housing rents113.1170.4+51%
Utilities114.4158.6+39%
Other services103.1104.4+1%

Los Angeles, CA differs from Philadelphia, PA the most in housing rents — about 51% higher in Los Angeles, CA — while the closest is other services.

Estimated salary equivalent in Los Angeles, CA

$50,000 in Philadelphia, PA$55,361
$75,000 in Philadelphia, PA$83,041
$100,000 in Philadelphia, PA$110,721
$150,000 in Philadelphia, PA$166,082
$200,000 in Philadelphia, PA$221,442

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

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 Philadelphia, PA?

No — Los Angeles, CA has an overall cost-of-living index of 113.6 versus 102.6 for Philadelphia, PA, making it about 11% more expensive.

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

About $110,721, based on regional price levels — a $100,000 salary in Philadelphia, PA has approximately the same purchasing power as $110,721 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 Philadelphia, PA?

Housing rents in Los Angeles, CA score 170.4 versus 113.1 in Philadelphia, PA — about 51% 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 Philadelphia, PA and Los Angeles, CA?

Overall, Los Angeles, CA is about 11% pricier than Philadelphia, PA (index 113.6 vs 102.6), with housing 51% higher. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.