Median rent is 2% lower in Los Angeles ($1,879/mo vs $1,917/mo). Buying is cheaper in Estero, where the median home runs $430,500 versus $879,500. Households earn more in Estero ($100,459 vs $80,366 a year).
City A
Estero, FL
City B
Los Angeles, CA
How much would you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to maintain your standard of living from Estero, FL?
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
Estero
Florida
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 rents are similar in both cities: $1,917/mo in Estero and $1,879/mo in Los Angeles. Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $879,500 versus $430,500 in Estero — 51% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Florida has no state income tax, while California tops out at 13.30% — giving Estero a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 6.00% in Florida and 7.25% in California; Estero has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Estero
Income tax: None
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 Estero.
Pick Estero if you prioritize higher median household income ($100,459/yr).
Pick Estero if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Estero cheaper than Los Angeles?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Estero vs Los Angeles?
Median rent is $1,917/mo in Estero, FL and $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles, CA has the lower rent by about 2%.
Which has higher salaries — Estero or Los Angeles?
Median household income is $100,459 in Estero, FL and $80,366 in Los Angeles, CA. Estero, FL 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 — Estero or Los Angeles?
Florida has no state income tax. California has a top rate of 13.30%.
What salary do I need in Los Angeles to match my Estero 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