New York City vs Los Angeles: Cost of Living Comparison
Compare cost of living between New York City, NY and Los Angeles, CA. Side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, rent, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, state taxes, and salary equivalents.
vs
City A
New York City
New York
Cost Index112.6
Median Rent$1,821/mo
Median Income$80K
State Tax10.9%
Above Average
Better value overall
City B
Los Angeles
California
Cost Index113.6
Median Rent$1,933/mo
Median Income$82K
State Tax13.3%
Above Average
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much would you need in Los Angeles to match your lifestyle in New York City?
$80,000
New York City
$80,000
Cost Index: 112.6
Los Angeles
$80,713
Cost Index: 113.6
You need +$713 more in Los Angeles to maintain the same lifestyle.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index scores where 100 = national average. Green highlights the city with the advantage.
Overall Cost Index+0.9%
New York City112.6
Los Angeles113.6
Median Rent+6.2%
New York City$2K
Los Angeles$2K
Median Income+1.8%
New York City$80K
Los Angeles$82K
Grocery Index-1.8%
New York City359.2
Los Angeles352.8
Utilities Index~equal
New York City100.0
Los Angeles100.0
Transportation+13.8%
New York City247.2
Los Angeles281.2
Healthcare~equal
New York City100.0
Los Angeles100.0
State Tax Rate+22.0%
New York City10.90%
Los Angeles13.30%
Side-by-Side Chart
New York City: Pros & Cons
1% lower overall cost of living
Lower rent — $1,821/mo vs $1,933/mo
Lower state income tax (10.9%)
Lower unemployment (4.5%)
Los Angeles: Pros & Cons
Higher median income ($82K)
Lower grocery costs
1% higher overall cost of living
Higher rent — $1,933/mo vs $1,821/mo
Higher state income tax (13.3%)
New York City vs Los Angeles – FAQ
Common questions about comparing cost of living between New York City and Los Angeles.
New York City has a cost of living index of 112.6, while Los Angeles scores 113.6. Los Angeles is approximately 0.9% more expensive overall. This comparison accounts for housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.
Median 2-bedroom rent in New York City is $1,821/month compared to $1,933/month in Los Angeles — a difference of 6%. Rent is typically the largest monthly expense, so this significantly impacts overall affordability.
Due to cost of living differences, you would need approximately 101% of your New York City salary to maintain the same standard of living in Los Angeles. For example, a $75,000 salary in New York City would need to be about $75,668 in Los Angeles. Use the salary slider above to calculate your specific equivalent.
The cost of living index is calculated using data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (Regional Price Parities), US Census Bureau (median incomes and home values), HUD (Fair Market Rents), and Bureau of Labor Statistics (consumer price data). A score of 100 represents the national average. Scores above 100 indicate higher-than-average costs, while scores below 100 are more affordable.
New York City has a median household income of $80,483 with an unemployment rate of 4.5%. Los Angeles has a median household income of $81,939 with an unemployment rate of 4.8%. While income is higher in Los Angeles, remember to factor in cost of living when comparing real purchasing power.
Beyond cost of living, consider: (1) state income tax differences — some states have no income tax; (2) housing market trends and whether to rent or buy; (3) job market strength in your industry; (4) healthcare costs and access; (5) climate and lifestyle preferences; (6) commute times and transportation options; and (7) proximity to family. Our comparison tool covers the financial factors, but quality of life matters too.