Median rent is 11% lower in Bel Air South ($1,666/mo vs $1,879/mo). Buying is cheaper in Bel Air South, where the median home runs $384,000 versus $879,500. Households earn more in Bel Air South ($120,721 vs $80,366 a year).
City A
Bel Air South, MD
City B
Los Angeles, CA
How much would you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to maintain your standard of living from Bel Air South, MD?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Bel Air South
Maryland
Los Angeles
California
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Bel Air South at $1,666/mo compared to $1,879/mo in Los Angeles (11% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $879,500 versus $384,000 in Bel Air South — 56% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Maryland's top income tax rate is 5.75% versus 13.30% in California, so Bel Air South is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.00% in Maryland and 7.25% in California; Bel Air South has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Bel Air South
Income tax: 5.75%
Sales tax: 6.00%
Los Angeles
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
Air quality data is available for Los Angeles (avg AQI 77.0) but not yet for Bel Air South.
Pick Bel Air South if you prioritize higher median household income ($120,721/yr).
Pick Bel Air South if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,666/mo median).
Pick Bel Air South if you prioritize lower state income tax (5.75%).
Is Bel Air South cheaper than Los Angeles?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Bel Air South vs Los Angeles?
Median rent is $1,666/mo in Bel Air South, MD and $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, CA. Bel Air South, MD has the lower rent by about 11%.
Which has higher salaries — Bel Air South or Los Angeles?
Median household income is $120,721 in Bel Air South, MD and $80,366 in Los Angeles, CA. Bel Air South, MD has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Bel Air South or Los Angeles?
Maryland's top income tax rate is 5.75% and California's is 13.30%. Bel Air South, MD has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Los Angeles to match my Bel Air South income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology