Median rent is 14% lower in Garfield ($1,612/mo vs $1,879/mo). Buying is cheaper in Garfield, where the median home runs $454,300 versus $879,500. Households earn more in Los Angeles ($80,366 vs $75,701 a year).
City A
Garfield, NJ
City B
Los Angeles, CA
How much would you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to maintain your standard of living from Garfield, NJ?
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
Garfield
New Jersey
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 rent is modestly lower in Garfield at $1,612/mo compared to $1,879/mo in Los Angeles (14% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $879,500 versus $454,300 in Garfield — 48% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
New Jersey's top income tax rate is 10.75% versus 13.30% in California, so Garfield is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.63% in New Jersey and 7.25% in California; Garfield has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Garfield
Income tax: 10.75%
Sales tax: 6.63%
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 Garfield.
Pick Los Angeles if you prioritize higher median household income ($80,366/yr).
Pick Garfield if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,612/mo median).
Pick Garfield if you prioritize lower state income tax (10.75%).
Is Garfield cheaper than Los Angeles?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Garfield vs Los Angeles?
Median rent is $1,612/mo in Garfield, NJ and $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, CA. Garfield, NJ has the lower rent by about 14%.
Which has higher salaries — Garfield or Los Angeles?
Median household income is $75,701 in Garfield, NJ and $80,366 in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles, 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 — Garfield or Los Angeles?
New Jersey's top income tax rate is 10.75% and California's is 13.30%. Garfield, NJ has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Los Angeles to match my Garfield 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