Indexed to national average (100)
See what salary you'd need in another city to match your purchasing power in Los Angeles.
About Los Angeles
Los Angeles is a sprawling Southern California city known for entertainment, tech, and sunshine. Housing costs are very high, but the strong job market in media, tech, and creative industries supports higher wages.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Los Angeles expensive?
Los Angeles has a cost of living index of 113.6, where 100 represents the national average. This makes Los Angeles more expensive than most US cities.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Los Angeles?
Based on a rent-to-income ratio of 30%, you'd need at least $77,320 to afford the median 2-bedroom apartment in Los Angeles and maintain basic expenses.
What is the median rent in Los Angeles?
The median 2-bedroom rent in Los Angeles is $1,933 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.