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Cost of living New York vs Los Angeles

The 2024 RPP from BEA's regional price parities places Los Angeles 0.9% above New York. Their indexes are 113.6 and 112.6, compared with a US average of 100.

US = 100 for price levelsNew YorkLos Angeles
Price level, all items112.6113.6
Housing (rents)148.6170.4
Goods110.3106.6
Utilities127.0158.6
Other services105.8104.4
Typical rent a month$4,089$2,772
Typical home value, September 2026$825,854$927,891
Median household income$81,228$82,263
Price to income10.211.3

For each metro area, the figures draw on 2024 BEA regional price parities, Zillow ZORI, ZHVI, and Census ACS 2024 income. Regional price parities

Los Angeles move from New York: required salary

This salary is adjusted using two price levels. It is before tax, while state and local taxes differ. Explore cost of living comparisons for other cities.

Rent in New York vs Los Angeles

According to the Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI), which covers asking rent on homes listed now, New York's typical monthly asking rent is $4,089 and Los Angeles's is $2,772. Los Angeles rent comes in 32.2% below New York. BEA's housing price level tracks rents and stands at 148.6 in New York against 170.4 in Los Angeles.

RentNew YorkLos Angeles
Typical asking rent, Zillow ZORI$4,089$2,772
12-month change+5.2%+0.8%
Median gross rent, Census ACS 2024$1,811$1,958
Housing price level, BEA (US = 100)148.6170.4

Home prices: New York and Los Angeles

The Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) placed the value of a home typical of the middle of the market at $825,854 in New York and $927,891 in Los Angeles in September 2026. Compared with New York, the typical Los Angeles home has a price that is 12.4% higher.

Home pricesNew YorkLos Angeles
Typical home value, September 2026$825,854$927,891
12-month change+4.3%−0.5%
10-year change+38.2%+73.2%
Price to income10.211.3
Price to rent16.827.9

This ratio compares the typical home value with median household income (Census ACS 2024). The home value is the numerator. This ratio compares the typical home value with one year of asking rent. The home value is the numerator.

A look at both price histories

New York is the steel line; Los Angeles is the grey one. Beginning in January 2000, New York's typical home increased from $240,841 to $825,854, or ×3.43. Los Angeles went from $220,092 to $927,891, or ×4.22, over the same period.

$200k$400k$600k$800k$1m200020052010201520202025Jan 2000 · $240,841$927,891$825,854Sep 2026New YorkLos Angeles$200k$400k$600k$800k$1m200020102020Jan 2000 · $241k$928k$826kSep 2026
This typical-home series comes from the Zillow Home Value Index. It is smoothed, seasonally adjusted, and not adjusted for inflation. Zillow Research data

Further cost of living comparisons