Median rent is 49% lower in New York ($1,779/mo vs $3,501/mo). Buying is cheaper in New York, where the median home runs $751,700 versus $2,000,001. Households earn more in Los Altos ($250,001 vs $79,713 a year).
City A
Los Altos, CA
City B
New York, NY
How much would you need to earn in New York, NY to maintain your standard of living from Los Altos, 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
Los Altos
California
New York
New York
👥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 New York — median rent of $1,779/mo versus $3,501/mo in Los Altos, a 49% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Altos: the median home is $2,000,001 versus $751,700 in New York — 62% 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 10.90% in New York, so New York is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 7.25% in California and 4.00% in New York; New York has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Los Altos
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
New York
Income tax: 10.90%
Sales tax: 4.00%
Air quality data is available for New York (avg AQI 61.0) but not yet for Los Altos.
Pick Los Altos if you prioritize higher median household income ($250,001/yr).
Pick New York if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,779/mo median).
Pick New York if you prioritize lower state income tax (10.90%).
Is Los Altos cheaper than New York?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Los Altos vs New York?
Median rent is $3,501/mo in Los Altos, CA and $1,779/mo in New York, NY. New York, NY has the lower rent by about 49%.
Which has higher salaries — Los Altos or New York?
Median household income is $250,001 in Los Altos, CA and $79,713 in New York, NY. Los Altos, 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 — Los Altos or New York?
California's top income tax rate is 13.30% and New York's is 10.90%. New York, NY has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in New York to match my Los Altos 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