Median rent is 6% lower in Los Angeles ($1,879/mo vs $2,001/mo). Buying is cheaper in Ellicott City, where the median home runs $644,300 versus $879,500. Households earn more in Ellicott City ($157,891 vs $80,366 a year).
City A
Ellicott City, MD
City B
Los Angeles, CA
How much would you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to maintain your standard of living from Ellicott City, 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
Ellicott City
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 Los Angeles at $1,879/mo compared to $2,001/mo in Ellicott City (6% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $879,500 versus $644,300 in Ellicott City — 27% 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 Ellicott City is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.00% in Maryland and 7.25% in California; Ellicott City has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Ellicott City
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 Ellicott City.
Pick Ellicott City if you prioritize higher median household income ($157,891/yr).
Pick Ellicott City if you prioritize lower state income tax (5.75%).
Is Ellicott City cheaper than Los Angeles?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Ellicott City vs Los Angeles?
Median rent is $2,001/mo in Ellicott City, MD and $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles, CA has the lower rent by about 6%.
Which has higher salaries — Ellicott City or Los Angeles?
Median household income is $157,891 in Ellicott City, MD and $80,366 in Los Angeles, CA. Ellicott City, 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 — Ellicott City or Los Angeles?
Maryland's top income tax rate is 5.75% and California's is 13.30%. Ellicott City, MD has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Los Angeles to match my Ellicott City 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