Median rent is 23% lower in Los Angeles ($1,879/mo vs $2,437/mo). Buying is cheaper in Los Angeles, where the median home runs $879,500 versus $1,129,700. Households earn more in Bethesda ($191,348 vs $80,366 a year).
City A
Bethesda, MD
City B
Los Angeles, CA
How much would you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to maintain your standard of living from Bethesda, 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
Bethesda
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
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Los Angeles — median rent of $1,879/mo versus $2,437/mo in Bethesda, a 23% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Bethesda: the median home is $1,129,700 versus $879,500 in Los Angeles — 22% 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 Bethesda is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.00% in Maryland and 7.25% in California; Bethesda has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Bethesda
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 Bethesda.
Pick Bethesda if you prioritize higher median household income ($191,348/yr).
Pick Los Angeles if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,879/mo median).
Pick Bethesda if you prioritize lower state income tax (5.75%).
Is Bethesda cheaper than Los Angeles?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Bethesda vs Los Angeles?
Median rent is $2,437/mo in Bethesda, MD and $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles, CA has the lower rent by about 23%.
Which has higher salaries — Bethesda or Los Angeles?
Median household income is $191,348 in Bethesda, MD and $80,366 in Los Angeles, CA. Bethesda, 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 — Bethesda or Los Angeles?
Maryland's top income tax rate is 5.75% and California's is 13.30%. Bethesda, MD has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Los Angeles to match my Bethesda 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