City comparison
Los Angeles vs Seattle Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Los Angeles (148.5) and Seattle (137.2).
Los Angeles Index
148.5
Seattle Index
137.2
Los Angeles Rent
$4,025
Seattle Rent
$3,475
Los Angeles Home price
$730,000
Seattle Home price
$636,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Los Angeles to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Seattle.
Equivalent salary in Seattle
$115,488
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Los Angeles and Seattle.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Los Angeles | Seattle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 208 | 184 | -24.0 (-11.5%) |
| Groceries | 123 | 118 | -5.0 (-4.1%) |
| Transportation | 118 | 113 | -5.0 (-4.2%) |
| Healthcare | 111 | 109 | -2.0 (-1.8%) |
| Utilities | 109 | 103 | -6.0 (-5.5%) |
| Miscellaneous | 121 | 116 | -5.0 (-4.1%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$7,070 / $6,410
Los Angeles / Seattle
Couple
$11,740 / $10,640
Los Angeles / Seattle
Family
$16,540 / $15,000
Los Angeles / Seattle
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Los Angeles city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Los Angeles.
View Seattle city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Seattle.
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.