Median rent is 5% lower in New York ($1,779/mo vs $1,879/mo). Buying is cheaper in New York, where the median home runs $751,700 versus $879,500. Households earn more in Los Angeles ($80,366 vs $79,713 a year). Taken together, New York is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 113.0 against 113.3 — about 0% lower overall prices.
City A
Los Angeles, 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 Angeles, CA?
Equivalent salary in New York, NY
$74,788
You could earn $212 less (0% lower) and break even.
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
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
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,879/mo in Los Angeles and $1,779/mo in New York. Median home values are within 15% of each other: $879,500 in Los Angeles and $751,700 in New York.
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 Angeles
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
New York
Income tax: 10.90%
Sales tax: 4.00%
New York has cleaner air on average: 61.0 AQI (Moderate) compared to 77.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick New York if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 61.0).
Pick New York if you prioritize lower state income tax (10.90%).
Is Los Angeles cheaper than New York?
New York is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 113.0 versus 113.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in New York.
How much is rent in Los Angeles vs New York?
Median rent is $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, CA and $1,779/mo in New York, NY. New York, NY has the lower rent by about 5%.
Which has higher salaries — Los Angeles or New York?
Median household income is $80,366 in Los Angeles, CA and $79,713 in New York, NY. 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?
New York, NY has better air quality on average: 61.0 AQI versus 77.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Los Angeles 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 Angeles income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Los Angeles, CA is equivalent to roughly $99,717 in New York, NY (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology