Cost of living · head to head
Los Angeles, CA is 5% pricier than Boston, MA.
Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average.
Boston, MAoverall index
108.3
Los Angeles, CAoverall index
113.6
Try your own salary
in Boston, MA
To live the same in Los Angeles, CA, you’d need about $104,894.
That’s about $4,894 more — Los Angeles, CA is pricier.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 5%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in Los Angeles, CA runs 15% higher than in Boston, MA (170.4 vs 148.4), 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 Boston, MA | $52,447 |
| $75,000 in Boston, MA | $78,670 |
| $100,000 in Boston, MA | $104,894 |
| $150,000 in Boston, MA | $157,341 |
| $200,000 in Boston, MA | $209,788 |
Each row shows the salary in Los Angeles, CA that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in Boston, MA.
Boston, MA · housing
148.4
Los Angeles, CA · housing
170.4
Common questions
Is Los Angeles, CA cheaper than Boston, MA?
No — Los Angeles, CA has an overall cost-of-living index of 113.6 versus 108.3 for Boston, MA, making it about 5% more expensive.
How much do you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to match $100,000 in Boston, MA?
About $104,894. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in Boston, MA costs roughly $104,894 in Los Angeles, CA.
Is housing cheaper in Los Angeles, CA than in Boston, MA?
Housing in Los Angeles, CA scores 170.4 versus 148.4 in Boston, MA — about 15% more expensive. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
What is the cost of living difference between Boston, MA and Los Angeles, CA?
Overall, Los Angeles, CA is about 5% pricier than Boston, MA (index 113.6 vs 108.3), with housing 15% higher. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.