Median rent is 31% lower in Los Angeles ($1,879/mo vs $2,724/mo). Buying is cheaper in Fort Washington, where the median home runs $464,300 versus $879,500. Households earn more in Fort Washington ($145,942 vs $80,366 a year).
City A
Fort Washington, MD
City B
Los Angeles, CA
How much would you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to maintain your standard of living from Fort Washington, 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
Fort Washington
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
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Los Angeles — median rent of $1,879/mo versus $2,724/mo in Fort Washington, a 31% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $879,500 versus $464,300 in Fort Washington — 47% 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 Fort Washington is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.00% in Maryland and 7.25% in California; Fort Washington has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Fort Washington
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 Fort Washington.
Pick Fort Washington if you prioritize higher median household income ($145,942/yr).
Pick Los Angeles if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,879/mo median).
Pick Fort Washington if you prioritize lower state income tax (5.75%).
Is Fort Washington cheaper than Los Angeles?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Fort Washington vs Los Angeles?
Median rent is $2,724/mo in Fort Washington, MD and $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles, CA has the lower rent by about 31%.
Which has higher salaries — Fort Washington or Los Angeles?
Median household income is $145,942 in Fort Washington, MD and $80,366 in Los Angeles, CA. Fort Washington, 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 — Fort Washington or Los Angeles?
Maryland's top income tax rate is 5.75% and California's is 13.30%. Fort Washington, MD has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Los Angeles to match my Fort Washington 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