Cost of living · head to head
New York, NY is 1% cheaper than Los Angeles, CA.
Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average.
Los Angeles, CAoverall index
113.6
New York, NYoverall index
112.6
Try your own salary
in Los Angeles, CA
To live the same in New York, NY, you’d need about $99,120.
That’s about $880 less — New York, NY is cheaper.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 1%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in New York, NY runs 13% lower than in Los Angeles, CA (148.6 vs 170.4), 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 New York, NY
| $50,000 in Los Angeles, CA | $49,560 |
| $75,000 in Los Angeles, CA | $74,340 |
| $100,000 in Los Angeles, CA | $99,120 |
| $150,000 in Los Angeles, CA | $148,680 |
| $200,000 in Los Angeles, CA | $198,239 |
Each row shows the salary in New York, NY that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in Los Angeles, CA.
Los Angeles, CA · housing
170.4
New York, NY · housing
148.6
Common questions
Is New York, NY cheaper than Los Angeles, CA?
Yes — New York, NY has an overall cost-of-living index of 112.6 versus 113.6 for Los Angeles, CA, making it about 1% cheaper.
How much do you need to earn in New York, NY to match $100,000 in Los Angeles, CA?
About $99,120. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in Los Angeles, CA costs roughly $99,120 in New York, NY.
Is housing cheaper in New York, NY than in Los Angeles, CA?
Housing in New York, NY scores 148.6 versus 170.4 in Los Angeles, CA — about 13% cheaper. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
What is the cost of living difference between Los Angeles, CA and New York, NY?
Overall, New York, NY is about 1% cheaper than Los Angeles, CA (index 112.6 vs 113.6), with housing 13% lower. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.