City comparison
Washington vs Los Angeles Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Washington (142.9) and Los Angeles (148.5).
Washington Index
142.9
Los Angeles Index
148.5
Washington Rent
$3,800
Los Angeles Rent
$4,025
Washington Home price
$705,000
Los Angeles Home price
$730,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Washington to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Los Angeles.
Equivalent salary in Los Angeles
$123,663
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Washington 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 | Washington | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 201 | 208 | +7.0 (+3.5%) |
| Groceries | 117 | 123 | +6.0 (+5.1%) |
| Transportation | 109 | 118 | +9.0 (+8.3%) |
| Healthcare | 111 | 111 | +0.0 (+0.0%) |
| Utilities | 104 | 109 | +5.0 (+4.8%) |
| Miscellaneous | 118 | 121 | +3.0 (+2.5%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$6,720 / $7,070
Washington / Los Angeles
Couple
$11,160 / $11,740
Washington / Los Angeles
Family
$15,720 / $16,540
Washington / Los Angeles
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Washington city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Washington.
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.