Cost of living · head to head
Los Angeles, CA is 4% pricier than Washington, DC.
Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average.
Washington, DCoverall index
108.9
Los Angeles, CAoverall index
113.6
Try your own salary
in Washington, DC
To live the same in Los Angeles, CA, you’d need about $104,316.
That’s about $4,316 more — Los Angeles, CA is pricier.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 4%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in Los Angeles, CA runs 13% higher than in Washington, DC (170.4 vs 151.1), 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 Washington, DC | $52,158 |
| $75,000 in Washington, DC | $78,237 |
| $100,000 in Washington, DC | $104,316 |
| $150,000 in Washington, DC | $156,474 |
| $200,000 in Washington, DC | $208,632 |
Each row shows the salary in Los Angeles, CA that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in Washington, DC.
Washington, DC · housing
151.1
Los Angeles, CA · housing
170.4
Common questions
Is Los Angeles, CA cheaper than Washington, DC?
No — Los Angeles, CA has an overall cost-of-living index of 113.6 versus 108.9 for Washington, DC, making it about 4% more expensive.
How much do you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to match $100,000 in Washington, DC?
About $104,316. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in Washington, DC costs roughly $104,316 in Los Angeles, CA.
Is housing cheaper in Los Angeles, CA than in Washington, DC?
Housing in Los Angeles, CA scores 170.4 versus 151.1 in Washington, DC — about 13% more expensive. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
What is the cost of living difference between Washington, DC and Los Angeles, CA?
Overall, Los Angeles, CA is about 4% pricier than Washington, DC (index 113.6 vs 108.9), with housing 13% higher. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.