Median rent is 51% lower in Phenix City ($926/mo vs $1,879/mo). Buying is cheaper in Phenix City, where the median home runs $160,000 versus $879,500. Households earn more in Los Angeles ($80,366 vs $49,715 a year).
City A
Los Angeles, CA
City B
Phenix City, AL
How much would you need to earn in Phenix City, AL 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
Phenix City
Alabama
👥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 Phenix City — median rent of $926/mo versus $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, a 51% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $879,500 versus $160,000 in Phenix City — 82% 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 5.00% in Alabama, so Phenix City is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 7.25% in California and 4.00% in Alabama; Phenix City has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Los Angeles
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
Phenix City
Income tax: 5.00%
Sales tax: 4.00%
Air quality data is available for Los Angeles (avg AQI 77.0) but not yet for Phenix City.
Pick Los Angeles if you prioritize higher median household income ($80,366/yr).
Pick Phenix City if you prioritize cheaper rent ($926/mo median).
Pick Phenix City if you prioritize lower state income tax (5.00%).
Is Los Angeles cheaper than Phenix City?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Los Angeles vs Phenix City?
Median rent is $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, CA and $926/mo in Phenix City, AL. Phenix City, AL has the lower rent by about 51%.
Which has higher salaries — Los Angeles or Phenix City?
Median household income is $80,366 in Los Angeles, CA and $49,715 in Phenix City, AL. 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 — Los Angeles or Phenix City?
California's top income tax rate is 13.30% and Alabama's is 5.00%. Phenix City, AL has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Phenix City 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