Median rent is 46% lower in Los Angeles ($1,879/mo vs $3,501/mo). Buying is cheaper in Los Angeles, where the median home runs $879,500 versus $1,774,500. Households earn more in Foster City ($193,633 vs $80,366 a year).
City A
Foster City, CA
City B
Los Angeles, CA
How much would you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to maintain your standard of living from Foster City, CA?
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
Foster City
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: 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 $3,501/mo in Foster City, a 46% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Foster City: the median home is $1,774,500 versus $879,500 in Los Angeles — 50% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
California's top income tax rate is 13.30% versus 13.30% in California, so Los Angeles is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 7.25% in California and 7.25% in California; Los Angeles has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Foster City
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
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 Foster City.
Pick Foster City if you prioritize higher median household income ($193,633/yr).
Pick Los Angeles if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,879/mo median).
Is Foster City cheaper than Los Angeles?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Foster City vs Los Angeles?
Median rent is $3,501/mo in Foster City, CA and $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles, CA has the lower rent by about 46%.
Which has higher salaries — Foster City or Los Angeles?
Median household income is $193,633 in Foster City, CA and $80,366 in Los Angeles, CA. Foster City, CA 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 — Foster City or Los Angeles?
California's top income tax rate is 13.30% and California's is 13.30%. Los Angeles, CA has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Los Angeles to match my Foster 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