Seattle vs Los Angeles: Cost of Living Comparison
Compare cost of living between Seattle, WA and Los Angeles, CA. Side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, rent, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, state taxes, and salary equivalents.
vs
City A
Seattle
Washington
Cost Index111.1
Median Rent$2,030/mo
Median Income$124K
State TaxNone
Above Average
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 Seattle?
$80,000
Seattle
$80,000
Cost Index: 111.1
Los Angeles
$81,751
Cost Index: 113.6
You need +$1,751 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+2.2%
Seattle111.1
Los Angeles113.6
Median Rent-4.8%
Seattle$2K
Los Angeles$2K
Median Income-33.8%
Seattle$124K
Los Angeles$82K
Grocery Index-6.0%
Seattle375.1
Los Angeles352.8
Utilities Index~equal
Seattle100.0
Los Angeles100.0
Transportation-12.6%
Seattle321.7
Los Angeles281.2
Healthcare~equal
Seattle100.0
Los Angeles100.0
State Tax Rate+133000.0%
SeattleNone
Los Angeles13.30%
Side-by-Side Chart
Seattle: Pros & Cons
2% lower overall cost of living
Higher median income ($124K)
Lower state income tax (none)
Higher rent — $2,030/mo vs $1,933/mo
Los Angeles: Pros & Cons
Lower rent — $1,933/mo vs $2,030/mo
Lower grocery costs
Lower unemployment (4.8%)
2% higher overall cost of living
Higher state income tax (13.3%)
Seattle vs Los Angeles – FAQ
Common questions about comparing cost of living between Seattle and Los Angeles.
Seattle has a cost of living index of 111.1, while Los Angeles scores 113.6. Los Angeles is approximately 2.2% more expensive overall. This comparison accounts for housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.
Median 2-bedroom rent in Seattle is $2,030/month compared to $1,933/month in Los Angeles — a difference of 5%. Rent is typically the largest monthly expense, so this significantly impacts overall affordability.
Due to cost of living differences, you would need approximately 102% of your Seattle salary to maintain the same standard of living in Los Angeles. For example, a $75,000 salary in Seattle would need to be about $76,642 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.
Seattle has a median household income of $123,860 with an unemployment rate of 5%. Los Angeles has a median household income of $81,939 with an unemployment rate of 4.8%. While income is higher in Seattle, 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.