Median rent is 32% lower in Elk River ($1,269/mo vs $1,879/mo). Buying is cheaper in Elk River, where the median home runs $338,300 versus $879,500. Households earn more in Elk River ($99,457 vs $80,366 a year).
City A
Elk River, MN
City B
Los Angeles, CA
How much would you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to maintain your standard of living from Elk River, MN?
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
Elk River
Minnesota
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 Elk River — median rent of $1,269/mo versus $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, a 32% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $879,500 versus $338,300 in Elk River — 62% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Minnesota's top income tax rate is 9.85% versus 13.30% in California, so Elk River is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.88% in Minnesota and 7.25% in California; Elk River has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Elk River
Income tax: 9.85%
Sales tax: 6.88%
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 Elk River.
Pick Elk River if you prioritize higher median household income ($99,457/yr).
Pick Elk River if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,269/mo median).
Pick Elk River if you prioritize lower state income tax (9.85%).
Is Elk River cheaper than Los Angeles?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Elk River vs Los Angeles?
Median rent is $1,269/mo in Elk River, MN and $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, CA. Elk River, MN has the lower rent by about 32%.
Which has higher salaries — Elk River or Los Angeles?
Median household income is $99,457 in Elk River, MN and $80,366 in Los Angeles, CA. Elk River, MN 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 — Elk River or Los Angeles?
Minnesota's top income tax rate is 9.85% and California's is 13.30%. Elk River, MN has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Los Angeles to match my Elk River 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