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Cost of living · head to head

Los Angeles, CA is approximately 4% pricier than Washington, DC, using Washington, DC 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 Washington, DC and Los Angeles, CA metropolitan areas, not city limits.

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Washington, DCoverall index
108.9
Los Angeles, CAoverall index
113.6
Estimated salary equivalent based on regional price levels
in Washington, DC
A salary of $100,000 in Washington, DC has approximately the same purchasing power as $104,316 in Los Angeles, CA, based on regional price levels.
In plain terms: Los Angeles, CA is more expensive than Washington, DC, so you’d need about $104,316 there to match the lifestyle $100,000 buys in Washington, DC — same groceries, same rent level, same everyday spending. That’s ~$4,300 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 4%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing rents in Los Angeles, CA run 13% higher than in Washington, DC (170.4 vs 151.1), 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

CategoryWashington, DCLos Angeles, CADifference
Overall108.9113.6+4%
Goods104.8106.6+2%
Housing rents151.1170.4+13%
Utilities106.7158.6+49%
Other services102.3104.4+2%

Los Angeles, CA differs from Washington, DC the most in utilities — about 49% higher in Los Angeles, CA — while the closest is goods.

Estimated salary equivalent 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 estimated salary equivalent in Los Angeles, CA, based on regional price levels, for the amount earned in Washington, DC.

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 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.

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

About $104,316, based on regional price levels — a $100,000 salary in Washington, DC has approximately the same purchasing power as $104,316 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 Washington, DC?

Housing rents in Los Angeles, CA score 170.4 versus 151.1 in Washington, DC — about 13% 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 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.