Median rent is 12% lower in Vancouver ($1,702/mo vs $1,933/mo). Buying is cheaper in Vancouver, where the median home runs $462,400 versus $921,200. Households earn more in Los Angeles ($81,939 vs $81,338 a year). Taken together, Vancouver is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 101.5 against 114.7 — about 12% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Vancouver, WA.
Cost of living verdict
Vancouver is 12% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 101.5 in Vancouver vs 114.7 in Los Angeles (US national average = 100)
City A
Los Angeles, CA
City B
Vancouver, WA
How much would you need to earn in Vancouver, WA to maintain your standard of living from Los Angeles, CA?
Equivalent salary in Vancouver, WA
$66,348
You could earn $8,652 less (12% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Los Angeles
California
Vancouver
Washington
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: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Vancouver at $1,702/mo compared to $1,933/mo in Los Angeles (12% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $921,200 versus $462,400 in Vancouver — 50% more expensive.
Metric
Los Angeles
Vancouver
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Los Angeles
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Vancouver
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Los Angeles has cleaner air on average: 31.0 AQI (Good) compared to 44.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Vancouver if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 101.5 vs 114.7).
Pick Vancouver if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,702/mo median).
Pick Los Angeles if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 31.0).
Vancouver is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 101.5 versus 114.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 12% lower in Vancouver.
Median rent is $1,933/mo in Los Angeles, CA and $1,702/mo in Vancouver, WA. Vancouver, WA has the lower rent by about 12%.
Median household income is $81,939 in Los Angeles, CA and $81,338 in Vancouver, WA. Los Angeles, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Los Angeles, CA has better air quality on average: 31.0 AQI versus 44.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Los Angeles, CA is equivalent to roughly $88,464 in Vancouver, WA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
