City comparison
Los Angeles vs New York Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Los Angeles (148.5) and New York (166.9).
Los Angeles Index
148.5
New York Index
166.9
Los Angeles Rent
$4,025
New York Rent
$4,850
Los Angeles Home price
$730,000
New York Home price
$787,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Los Angeles to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in New York.
Equivalent salary in New York
$140,488
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Los Angeles and New York.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Los Angeles | New York | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 208 | 245 | +37.0 (+17.8%) |
| Groceries | 123 | 138 | +15.0 (+12.2%) |
| Transportation | 118 | 121 | +3.0 (+2.5%) |
| Healthcare | 111 | 117 | +6.0 (+5.4%) |
| Utilities | 109 | 112 | +3.0 (+2.8%) |
| Miscellaneous | 121 | 134 | +13.0 (+10.7%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$7,070 / $8,110
Los Angeles / New York
Couple
$11,740 / $13,620
Los Angeles / New York
Family
$16,540 / $19,870
Los Angeles / New York
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Los Angeles city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Los Angeles.
View New York city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for New York.
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.