Median rent is 4% lower in Los Angeles ($1,879/mo vs $1,950/mo). Buying is cheaper in Forest Hills, where the median home runs $474,800 versus $879,500. Households earn more in Forest Hills ($156,618 vs $80,366 a year).
City A
Forest Hills, MI
City B
Los Angeles, CA
How much would you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to maintain your standard of living from Forest Hills, MI?
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
Forest Hills
Michigan
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: $1,950/mo in Forest Hills and $1,879/mo in Los Angeles. Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $879,500 versus $474,800 in Forest Hills — 46% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Michigan's top income tax rate is 4.25% versus 13.30% in California, so Forest Hills is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.00% in Michigan and 7.25% in California; Forest Hills has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Forest Hills
Income tax: 4.25%
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 Forest Hills.
Pick Forest Hills if you prioritize higher median household income ($156,618/yr).
Pick Forest Hills if you prioritize lower state income tax (4.25%).
Is Forest Hills cheaper than Los Angeles?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Forest Hills vs Los Angeles?
Median rent is $1,950/mo in Forest Hills, MI and $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles, CA has the lower rent by about 4%.
Which has higher salaries — Forest Hills or Los Angeles?
Median household income is $156,618 in Forest Hills, MI and $80,366 in Los Angeles, CA. Forest Hills, MI 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 — Forest Hills or Los Angeles?
Michigan's top income tax rate is 4.25% and California's is 13.30%. Forest Hills, MI has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Los Angeles to match my Forest Hills 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