Median rent is 7% lower in Los Angeles ($1,879/mo vs $2,024/mo). Buying is cheaper in Miami Lakes, where the median home runs $577,300 versus $879,500. Households earn more in Miami Lakes ($97,255 vs $80,366 a year).
City A
Los Angeles, CA
City B
Miami Lakes, FL
How much would you need to earn in Miami Lakes, FL to maintain your standard of living from Los Angeles, 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 Angeles
California
Miami Lakes
Florida
👥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 Los Angeles at $1,879/mo compared to $2,024/mo in Miami Lakes (7% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $879,500 versus $577,300 in Miami Lakes — 34% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Florida has no state income tax, while California tops out at 13.30% — giving Miami Lakes a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 7.25% in California and 6.00% in Florida; Miami Lakes has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Los Angeles
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
Miami Lakes
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.00%
Air quality data is available for Los Angeles (avg AQI 77.0) but not yet for Miami Lakes.
Pick Miami Lakes if you prioritize higher median household income ($97,255/yr).
Pick Miami Lakes if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Los Angeles cheaper than Miami Lakes?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Los Angeles vs Miami Lakes?
Median rent is $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, CA and $2,024/mo in Miami Lakes, FL. Los Angeles, CA has the lower rent by about 7%.
Which has higher salaries — Los Angeles or Miami Lakes?
Median household income is $80,366 in Los Angeles, CA and $97,255 in Miami Lakes, FL. Miami Lakes, FL 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 Angeles or Miami Lakes?
Florida has no state income tax. California has a top rate of 13.30%.
What salary do I need in Miami Lakes to match my Los Angeles 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