City comparison
Boston vs Los Angeles Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Boston (144.3) and Los Angeles (148.5).
Boston Index
144.3
Los Angeles Index
148.5
Boston Rent
$3,775
Los Angeles Rent
$4,025
Boston Home price
$722,000
Los Angeles Home price
$730,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Boston to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Los Angeles.
Equivalent salary in Los Angeles
$123,493
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Boston and Los Angeles.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Boston | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 198 | 208 | +10.0 (+5.1%) |
| Groceries | 122 | 123 | +1.0 (+0.8%) |
| Transportation | 114 | 118 | +4.0 (+3.5%) |
| Healthcare | 113 | 111 | -2.0 (-1.8%) |
| Utilities | 106 | 109 | +3.0 (+2.8%) |
| Miscellaneous | 121 | 121 | +0.0 (+0.0%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$6,790 / $7,070
Boston / Los Angeles
Couple
$11,270 / $11,740
Boston / Los Angeles
Family
$15,890 / $16,540
Boston / Los Angeles
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Boston city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Boston.
View Los Angeles city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Los Angeles.
Last updated: Q1 2026
Data as of Q1 2026. Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, HUD Fair Market Rents.
Cost of living indexes use the national average as baseline (100). Data is updated periodically.