Median rent is 28% lower in Los Angeles ($1,879/mo vs $2,613/mo). Buying is cheaper in West Islip, where the median home runs $592,700 versus $879,500. Households earn more in West Islip ($171,045 vs $80,366 a year).
City A
Los Angeles, CA
City B
West Islip, NY
How much would you need to earn in West Islip, NY 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
West Islip
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 Los Angeles — median rent of $1,879/mo versus $2,613/mo in West Islip, a 28% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $879,500 versus $592,700 in West Islip — 33% 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 West Islip is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 7.25% in California and 4.00% in New York; West Islip has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Los Angeles
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
West Islip
Income tax: 10.90%
Sales tax: 4.00%
Air quality data is available for Los Angeles (avg AQI 77.0) but not yet for West Islip.
Pick West Islip if you prioritize higher median household income ($171,045/yr).
Pick Los Angeles if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,879/mo median).
Pick West Islip if you prioritize lower state income tax (10.90%).
Is Los Angeles cheaper than West Islip?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Los Angeles vs West Islip?
Median rent is $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, CA and $2,613/mo in West Islip, NY. Los Angeles, CA has the lower rent by about 28%.
Which has higher salaries — Los Angeles or West Islip?
Median household income is $80,366 in Los Angeles, CA and $171,045 in West Islip, NY. West Islip, NY 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 West Islip?
California's top income tax rate is 13.30% and New York's is 10.90%. West Islip, NY has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in West Islip 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