Median rent is 41% lower in Grand Junction ($1,101/mo vs $1,879/mo). Buying is cheaper in Grand Junction, where the median home runs $358,300 versus $879,500. Households earn more in Los Angeles ($80,366 vs $66,676 a year).
City A
Grand Junction, CO
City B
Los Angeles, CA
How much would you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to maintain your standard of living from Grand Junction, CO?
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
Grand Junction
Colorado
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 Grand Junction — median rent of $1,101/mo versus $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, a 41% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $879,500 versus $358,300 in Grand Junction — 59% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Colorado's top income tax rate is 4.40% versus 13.30% in California, so Grand Junction is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 2.90% in Colorado and 7.25% in California; Grand Junction has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Grand Junction
Income tax: 4.40%
Sales tax: 2.90%
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 Grand Junction.
Pick Los Angeles if you prioritize higher median household income ($80,366/yr).
Pick Grand Junction if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,101/mo median).
Pick Grand Junction if you prioritize lower state income tax (4.40%).
Is Grand Junction cheaper than Los Angeles?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Grand Junction vs Los Angeles?
Median rent is $1,101/mo in Grand Junction, CO and $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, CA. Grand Junction, CO has the lower rent by about 41%.
Which has higher salaries — Grand Junction or Los Angeles?
Median household income is $66,676 in Grand Junction, CO 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 — Grand Junction or Los Angeles?
Colorado's top income tax rate is 4.40% and California's is 13.30%. Grand Junction, CO has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Los Angeles to match my Grand Junction 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