Cost of living · head to head
Los Angeles, CA is 1% pricier than New York, NY.
Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average.
New York, NYoverall index
112.6
Los Angeles, CAoverall index
113.6
Try your own salary
in New York, NY
To live the same in Los Angeles, CA, you’d need about $100,888.
That’s about $888 more — Los Angeles, CA is pricier.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 1%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in Los Angeles, CA runs 15% higher than in New York, NY (170.4 vs 148.6), 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 New York, NY | $50,444 |
| $75,000 in New York, NY | $75,666 |
| $100,000 in New York, NY | $100,888 |
| $150,000 in New York, NY | $151,332 |
| $200,000 in New York, NY | $201,776 |
Each row shows the salary in Los Angeles, CA that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in New York, NY.
New York, NY · housing
148.6
Los Angeles, CA · housing
170.4
Common questions
Is Los Angeles, CA cheaper than New York, NY?
No — Los Angeles, CA has an overall cost-of-living index of 113.6 versus 112.6 for New York, NY, making it about 1% more expensive.
How much do you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to match $100,000 in New York, NY?
About $100,888. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in New York, NY costs roughly $100,888 in Los Angeles, CA.
Is housing cheaper in Los Angeles, CA than in New York, NY?
Housing in Los Angeles, CA scores 170.4 versus 148.6 in New York, NY — about 15% more expensive. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
What is the cost of living difference between New York, NY and Los Angeles, CA?
Overall, Los Angeles, CA is about 1% pricier than New York, NY (index 113.6 vs 112.6), with housing 15% higher. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.