Median rent is 18% lower in Los Angeles ($1,933/mo vs $2,352/mo). Buying is cheaper in Folsom, where the median home runs $755,200 versus $921,200. Households earn more in Folsom ($139,804 vs $81,939 a year). Taken together, Folsom is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 109.1 against 114.7 — about 5% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Folsom, CA.
Cost of living verdict
Folsom is 5% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 109.1 in Folsom vs 114.7 in Los Angeles (US national average = 100)
City A
Folsom, CA
City B
Los Angeles, CA
How much would you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to maintain your standard of living from Folsom, CA?
Equivalent salary in Los Angeles, CA
$78,890
You'd need $3,890 more (5% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Folsom
California
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: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Los Angeles at $1,933/mo compared to $2,352/mo in Folsom (18% gap). Median home values are within 18% of each other: $755,200 in Folsom and $921,200 in Los Angeles.
Metric
Folsom
Los Angeles
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Folsom
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Los Angeles
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Los Angeles (avg AQI 31.0) but not yet for Folsom.
Pick Folsom if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 109.1 vs 114.7).
Pick Folsom if you prioritize higher median household income ($139,804/yr).
Pick Los Angeles if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,933/mo median).
Folsom is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 109.1 versus 114.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 5% lower in Folsom.
Median rent is $2,352/mo in Folsom, CA and $1,933/mo in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles, CA has the lower rent by about 18%.
Median household income is $139,804 in Folsom, CA and $81,939 in Los Angeles, CA. Folsom, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Folsom, CA is equivalent to roughly $105,186 in Los Angeles, CA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
