Cost of living index 113.6 · 2024

How Expensive Is Los Angeles, CA?

Living in Los Angeles is about 14% more expensive than the U.S. average.

Based on official federal data, Los Angeles has an overall cost-of-living index of 113.6, where 100 is the national average. That places it 14% above the national average. The typical household earns $80,366 a year and pays a median rent of $1,879 a month.

Cost of Living Index in Los Angeles

The index compares local prices to the national average of 100. Here is how Los Angeles breaks down by category.

Category	Index (U.S. = 100)	vs. average
Overall	113.6	+14%
Housing (rents)	170.4	+70%
Goods	106.6	+7%
Other services	158.6	+59%

Housing and Rent in Los Angeles

The median gross rent in Los Angeles is $1,879 a month, and the median home value is $879,500. The table below shows HUD Fair Market Rents by apartment size for the metro area.

Apartment size	Fair Market Rent
Studio	$2,079
1 bedroom	$2,328
2 bedrooms	$2,903
3 bedrooms	$3,681
4 bedrooms	$4,098

Income in Los Angeles

The median household income in Los Angeles is $80,366 a year. With a local cost-of-living index of 113.6, that income goes less far than it would in an average U.S. city.

Salary Needed to Live in Los Angeles

To cover housing and everyday costs at the local price level, a single person needs an estimated $93,100 a year, and a family of four about $147,200. These estimates keep rent at roughly 30% of gross pay and adjust other costs to local prices.

These figures are estimates based on public data (BEA, Census, HUD) and a standard budget model. Actual costs vary by lifestyle.

Compare Los Angeles With Other Cities

See how the cost of living in Los Angeles stacks up against other U.S. cities, side by side.

Los Angeles vs Austin Los Angeles vs Charlotte Los Angeles vs Chicago Los Angeles vs Columbus Los Angeles vs Dallas Los Angeles vs Denver Los Angeles vs Fort Worth Los Angeles vs Houston Los Angeles vs Indianapolis Los Angeles vs Jacksonville Los Angeles vs Miami Los Angeles vs New York Los Angeles vs Philadelphia Los Angeles vs Phoenix Los Angeles vs San Antonio Los Angeles vs San Diego Los Angeles vs San Francisco Los Angeles vs San Jose Los Angeles vs Seattle

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Los Angeles expensive to live in?

Los Angeles has a cost-of-living index of 113.6, which is 14% above the national average. It is more expensive than a typical U.S. city, driven mainly by housing.

How much money do you need to live in Los Angeles?

A single person needs about $93,100 a year to live comfortably in Los Angeles, while a family of four needs roughly $147,200, based on local rents and prices.

What is the average rent in Los Angeles?

The median gross rent in Los Angeles is $1,879 a month. HUD Fair Market Rent for a one-bedroom in the metro area is $2,328.

Data Sources

Cost-of-living index from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (Regional Price Parities, 2024). Income, rent, and home value from the U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey 5-Year, 2023). Fair Market Rents from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (FY2026).