City comparison
Los Angeles vs Washington Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Los Angeles (148.5) and Washington (142.9).
Los Angeles Index
148.5
Washington Index
142.9
Los Angeles Rent
$4,025
Washington Rent
$3,800
Los Angeles Home price
$730,000
Washington Home price
$705,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Los Angeles to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Washington.
Equivalent salary in Washington
$120,286
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Los Angeles and Washington.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Los Angeles | Washington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 208 | 201 | -7.0 (-3.4%) |
| Groceries | 123 | 117 | -6.0 (-4.9%) |
| Transportation | 118 | 109 | -9.0 (-7.6%) |
| Healthcare | 111 | 111 | +0.0 (+0.0%) |
| Utilities | 109 | 104 | -5.0 (-4.6%) |
| Miscellaneous | 121 | 118 | -3.0 (-2.5%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$7,070 / $6,720
Los Angeles / Washington
Couple
$11,740 / $11,160
Los Angeles / Washington
Family
$16,540 / $15,720
Los Angeles / Washington
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Los Angeles city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Los Angeles.
View Washington city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Washington.
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.