Cost of living · head to head
Los Angeles, CA is 11% pricier than Philadelphia, PA.
Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average.
Philadelphia, PAoverall index
102.6
Los Angeles, CAoverall index
113.6
Try your own salary
in Philadelphia, PA
To live the same in Los Angeles, CA, you’d need about $110,721.
That’s about $10,721 more — Los Angeles, CA is pricier.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 11%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in Los Angeles, CA runs 51% higher than in Philadelphia, PA (170.4 vs 113.1), 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 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 salary in Los Angeles, CA that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in Philadelphia, PA.
Philadelphia, PA · housing
113.1
Los Angeles, CA · housing
170.4
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.
How much do you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to match $100,000 in Philadelphia, PA?
About $110,721. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in Philadelphia, PA costs roughly $110,721 in Los Angeles, CA.
Is housing cheaper in Los Angeles, CA than in Philadelphia, PA?
Housing in Los Angeles, CA scores 170.4 versus 113.1 in Philadelphia, PA — about 51% more expensive. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
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.