Quick answer
Los Angeles is 2% cheaper than New York overall. A $100K salary in New York is equivalent to $98,000 in Los Angeles.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
New York vs Los Angeles Cost of Living (2026)
Side-by-side cost comparison plus a salary calculator to find your equivalent pay in either city.
Overall COL difference
Los Angeles is 2% cheaper
1BR rent difference
-25% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$98,000
New York vs Los Angeles: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$3,200/mo
$2,400/mo
-25%
2BR median rent
$4,500/mo
$3,200/mo
-29%
Median home price
$750K
$850K
+13%
Avg monthly groceries
$480
$440
-8%
Avg monthly utilities
$165
$140
-15%
State income tax
Up to 10.9%
Up to 13.3%
New York saves
Walk score
88/100
68/100
New York better
Transit score
89/100
53/100
New York better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Los Angeles to maintain the same standard of living as your current New York salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$59,000
$61,000
$80,000
$79,000
$81,000
$100,000
$98,000
$102,000
$120,000
$118,000
$122,000
$150,000
$147,000
$153,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: New York vs Los Angeles
Who Each City Is Best For
New York is best for
- ✓finance professionals
- ✓media & entertainment workers
- ✓ambitious 20-somethings
- ✓culture seekers
Los Angeles is best for
- ✓entertainment industry workers
- ✓creatives
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓entrepreneurs
FAQs
Is New York or Los Angeles cheaper to live in?
Los Angeles is 2% cheaper than New York overall. Los Angeles 1BR rent ($2,400/mo) vs New York ($3,200/mo). Median home price: Los Angeles $850K vs New York $750K.
How much salary do I need in Los Angeles to match $100K in New York?
$98,000 in Los Angeles is equivalent to $100,000 in New York based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (-25% difference) and state taxes (New York: Up to 10.9% vs Los Angeles: Up to 13.3%).
What is the rent difference between New York and Los Angeles?
1BR: New York $3,200/mo vs Los Angeles $2,400/mo (-25%). 2BR: New York $4,500/mo vs Los Angeles $3,200/mo (-29%).
Does New York or Los Angeles have lower taxes?
New York (NY) has Up to 10.9% state income tax. Los Angeles (CA) has Up to 13.3% state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$2,400.