Cost of Living in Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.
Price level
113.6
U.S. average = 100 · #3 of 387
Median wage
$55,850
all jobs · $3,744/mo take-home
1-bedroom rent
$2,245
HUD fair market rent
▲4.4%
Pay trend: The median for all workers in Los Angeles, CA rose from $53,490 (May 2024) to $55,850 (May 2025). That beat inflation (2.4%), a real raise of about 2.0%.
Salary comparison calculator
What would you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?
Salary needed to keep your lifestyle
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How expensive is Los Angeles, CA?
With a price level of 113.6 (U.S. average = 100), Los Angeles, CA is one of the most expensive places in the country. In detail, housing costs run 70% above average; everyday goods run 7% above average; utilities run 59% above average; other services such as healthcare and dining run 4% above average. The biggest difference from the national average is in housing.
Prices in Los Angeles, CA vs. the U.S. average
| Category | Index (U.S. = 100) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 113.6 | +13.6% |
| Housing | 170.4 | +70.4% |
| Goods | 106.6 | +6.6% |
| Utilities | 158.6 | +58.6% |
| Other services | 104.4 | +4.4% |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rent in Los Angeles, CA
| Unit | Monthly rent | Income needed (30% rule) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,061 | $82,440/yr |
| 1 bedroom | $2,245 | $89,800/yr |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,755 | $110,200/yr |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,563 | $142,520/yr |
| 4 bedrooms | $4,053 | $162,120/yr |
HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.
Salary needed to live in Los Angeles, CA
To keep the same standard of living as in an average-priced U.S. city, you would need to earn roughly:
| Salary in an average U.S. city | Equivalent in Los Angeles, CA | Take-home here |
|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $45,400 | $37,263 |
| $60,000 | $68,100 | $53,617 |
| $80,000 | $90,900 | $67,372 |
| $100,000 | $113,600 | $80,936 |
| $150,000 | $170,300 | $113,844 |
Scaled by the BEA price level (pre-tax). Take-home: single filer, California 2026 taxes. For a tax-aware comparison with a specific city, use the calculator above.
A monthly budget on the median wage
A single worker earning Los Angeles, CA's median wage of $55,850 takes home about $3,744 a month. A typical one-bedroom rents for $2,245, which is 60% of take-home pay — well above the 30% guideline, so many workers here share housing or rent smaller units. That leaves about $1,499 a month for everything else.
Take-home pay in Los Angeles, CA
Your take-home pay
$44,929
per year · effective tax rate 19.6%
$3,744Monthly
$1,872Twice a month
$1,728Every 2 weeks
$21.60Hourly
- Federal income tax$4,522
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,463
- Medicare (1.45%)$810
- California income tax$1,400
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$726
- Take-home pay$44,929
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
Highest-paying jobs in Los Angeles, CA
*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.
Pay and living costs in California cities
Half of California’s 18,213,700 workers earn less than $58,240 a year and half earn more; the middle 50% earn $41,600–$97,880 (BLS, May 2025). Prices vary a lot within the state: San Jose, CA stretches a paycheck furthest, while Salinas, CA is the costliest.
| Metro area | Median pay | Price level | 1-BR rent | Rent share | Left after rent / mo | Buying power* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | $55,850 | 113.6 | $2,245 | 60% | $1,499 | $39,562 |
| San Francisco, CA | $74,260 | 115.6 | $2,620 | 55% | $2,161 | $49,629 |
| Riverside, CA | $48,400 | 106.4 | $1,777 | 54% | $1,514 | $37,097 |
| San Diego, CA | $58,690 | 111.9 | $2,459 | 63% | $1,458 | $42,010 |
| San Jose, CA | $84,050 | 110.4 | $2,957 | 56% | $2,316 | $57,306 |
| Sacramento, CA | $59,750 | 106.7 | $1,812 | 46% | $2,169 | $44,790 |
| Fresno, CA | $46,910 | 102.2 | $1,315 | 41% | $1,885 | $37,586 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $47,470 | 100.9 | $1,140 | 35% | $2,094 | $38,467 |
| Oxnard, CA | $52,510 | 110.5 | $2,250 | 64% | $1,291 | $38,440 |
| Stockton, CA | $48,990 | 105.1 | $1,395 | 42% | $1,931 | $37,985 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $56,850 | 107.8 | $2,155 | 57% | $1,650 | $42,362 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $51,690 | 108.8 | $2,746 | 79% | $745 | $38,503 |
| Modesto, CA | $50,610 | 104.1 | $1,356 | 40% | $2,069 | $39,479 |
| Salinas, CA | $47,380 | 109.0 | $2,232 | 69% | $996 | $35,529 |
| Visalia, CA | $45,130 | 99.8 | $1,123 | 36% | $1,965 | $37,126 |
*Yearly take-home pay (on each metro’s median wage, single filer) in U.S.-average dollars. Price level: BEA RPP 2024 (U.S. = 100). Rent: HUD FY2026 one-bedroom fair market rent.
Los Angeles, CA vs. similar-size cities
| Metro area | Price level | 1-BR rent | Median wage | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 113.6 | $2,245 | $55,850 | 6,271,560 |
| Chicago, IL | 103.6 | $1,534 | $54,720 | 4,513,280 |
| Dallas, TX | 103.1 | $1,586 | $51,440 | 4,049,800 |
| Houston, TX | 98.6 | $1,316 | $49,410 | 3,289,720 |
| Washington, DC | 108.9 | $1,990 | $71,060 | 3,136,190 |
| New York, NY | 112.6 | $2,378 | $61,430 | 9,492,000 |
| Philadelphia, PA | 102.6 | $1,520 | $54,310 | 2,897,830 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Los Angeles, CA expensive to live in?
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, overall prices in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area are 113.6% of the U.S. average, with housing at 170.4%. It is the #3 most expensive of 387 metro areas we track.
What salary do you need to live in Los Angeles, CA?
To match the buying power of a $60,000 salary in an average-priced U.S. city you would need about $68,140 in Los Angeles, CA (before tax differences). The median wage across all jobs here is $55,850.
Can you afford Los Angeles, CA on the median wage?
A single worker on the $55,850 median wage takes home about $3,744 a month after 2026 taxes; a one-bedroom at $2,245 would take 60% of that.
How much is rent in Los Angeles, CA?
HUD’s FY2026 fair market rents for Los Angeles, CA are $2,061 for a studio, $2,245 for one bedroom, $2,755 for two bedrooms and $3,563 for three bedrooms, including utilities.
Top salaries by field in Los Angeles, CA
Management Occupations
- Chief Executive — $234,290
- Computer and Information Systems Manager — $204,370
- Natural Sciences Manager — $193,340
- Architectural and Engineering Manager — $190,900
- Financial Manager — $175,310
- Marketing Manager — $171,900
- Human Resources Manager — $168,400
- Managers, All Other — $168,160
Business and Financial Operations Occupations
- Personal Financial Advisor — $124,490
- Project Management Specialist — $108,310
- Management Analyst — $104,930
- Labor Relations Specialist — $102,980
- Financial and Investment Analyst — $102,260
- Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes — $97,750
- Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists — $97,310
- Compliance Officer — $94,810
Computer and Mathematical Occupations
- Software Developer — $160,920
- Computer Network Architect — $147,510
- Data Scientist — $129,740
- Information Security Analyst — $129,630
- Software Quality Assurance Analyst and Tester — $122,210
- Computer Systems Analyst — $121,560
- Computer Occupations, All Other — $109,700
- Computer Programmer — $107,090
Architecture and Engineering Occupations
- Aerospace Engineer — $163,280
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer — $140,530
- Electrical Engineer — $139,780
- Engineers, All Other — $125,060
- Mechanical Engineer — $123,900
- Industrial Engineer — $113,040
- Civil Engineer — $108,640
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval — $104,170
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists — $134,890
- School Psychologist — $122,390
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health — $105,340
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialist — $102,610
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologist — $99,250
- Chemist — $87,060
Community and Social Service Occupations
- Probation Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist — $108,150
- Healthcare Social Worker — $79,830
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors — $79,000
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker — $78,410
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers — $71,250
- Marriage and Family Therapist — $71,110
- Health Education Specialist — $62,380
- Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other — $56,960
Legal Occupations
- Lawyer — $194,410
- Paralegal and Legal Assistant — $77,520
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
- Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary — $134,590
- Law Teachers, Postsecondary — $114,330
- Special Education Teachers, All Other — $109,600
- Postsecondary Teachers, All Other — $105,640
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $101,860
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $100,960
- Special Education Teachers, Secondary School — $100,900
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $98,370
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations
- Art Director — $137,560
- Producer and Director — $131,600
- Special Effects Artist and Animator — $124,590
- Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film — $107,620
- Media and Communication Workers, All Other — $103,050
- Editor — $100,050
- Film and Video Editor — $83,210
- Interior Designer — $80,000
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
- Physicians, All Other — $196,760
- Pediatricians, General — $176,900
- Physician Assistant — $161,890
- Nurse Practitioner — $161,470
- Veterinarian — $160,080
- Pharmacist — $157,440
- Dentists, General — $139,990
- Optometrist — $138,940
Healthcare Support Occupations
- Physical Therapist Assistant — $82,140
- Medical Equipment Preparer — $59,520
- Phlebotomist — $52,940
- Healthcare Support Workers, All Other — $49,130
- Medical Assistant — $47,760
- Nursing Assistant — $47,380
- Dental Assistant — $46,900
- Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker — $46,070
Protective Service Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Firefighting and Prevention Workers — $169,350
- First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives — $167,600
- Detective and Criminal Investigator — $127,890
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $121,980
- Firefighter — $98,050
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $78,770
- Transportation Security Screener — $73,610
- Crossing Guard and Flagger — $55,700
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
- Chef and Head Cook — $69,990
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $46,970
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $45,400
- Cooks, Restaurant — $44,460
- Cooks, Short Order — $43,680
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $42,110
- Food Preparation Worker — $39,770
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $38,350
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations
- First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers — $61,350
- First-Line Supervisor of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers — $61,270
- Tree Trimmer and Pruner — $60,440
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker — $44,650
- Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner — $43,530
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — $38,720
Personal Care and Service Occupations
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $57,630
- First-Line Supervisor of Personal Service Workers — $56,280
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services — $51,870
- Residential Advisor — $45,240
- Concierge — $43,560
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $43,500
- Tour and Travel Guide — $42,870
- Childcare Worker — $39,890
Sales and Related Occupations
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products — $107,020
- First-Line Supervisor of Non-Retail Sales Workers — $80,800
- Advertising Sales Agent — $80,360
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel — $79,450
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents — $78,160
- Insurance Sales Agent — $76,870
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $74,490
- Demonstrator and Product Promoter — $60,040
Office and Administrative Support Occupations
- Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant — $82,850
- First-Line Supervisor of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $77,530
- Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk — $65,040
- Court, Municipal, and License Clerks — $64,610
- Postal Service Mail Carrier — $64,250
- Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs — $63,520
- Legal Secretary and Administrative Assistant — $62,620
- Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks — $61,810
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations
Construction and Extraction Occupations
- Construction and Building Inspector — $100,280
- First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $97,600
- Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator — $92,890
- Carpenter — $75,740
- Electrician — $73,810
- Sheet Metal Worker — $72,710
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — $71,110
- Cement Mason and Concrete Finisher — $63,790
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations
- Telecommunications Line Installer and Repairer — $96,780
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers — $93,870
- Aircraft Mechanic and Service Technician — $83,250
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines — $81,000
- Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist — $77,380
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers — $73,830
- Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers — $73,440
- Industrial Machinery Mechanic — $72,090
Production Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Production and Operating Workers — $74,740
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers — $56,160
- Machinist — $55,660
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator — $54,980
- Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders — $54,870
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers — $51,560
- Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — $48,640
- Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — $47,960
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
- Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers — $239,200+
- Flight Attendant — $79,390
- Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity — $68,020
- Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector — $62,490
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors — $62,190
- Bus Drivers, School — $61,580
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $60,340
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator — $46,600