Los Angeles vs New York: Cost of Living & Salary Comparison
Los Angeles and New York are both popular destinations for professionals. Here's a data-driven comparison of what it actually costs to live and work in each city.
Los Angeles
New York
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Category | Los Angeles | New York | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 100 | -10% (lower is better) |
| Median Salary | $68,000 | $75,000 | |
| Rent (1BR) | $2,600 | $3,200 | (/month) |
| Rent (2BR) | $3,700 | $4,500 | (/month) |
| Groceries Index | 92 | 100 | -8% (NYC=100) |
| Transport Monthly | $110 | $127 | |
| Effective Tax Rate | 27% | 28.5% | (at median income) |
| Purchasing Power | 90 | 100 | -10% (higher is better) |
Salary Comparison by Role
| Role | Los Angeles | New York | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | $135,000 | $140,000 | -4% |
| Product Manager | $132,000 | $140,000 | -6% |
| Data Scientist | $132,000 | $140,000 | -6% |
| DevOps Engineer | $138,000 | $145,000 | -5% |
| Frontend Developer | $115,000 | $120,000 | -4% |
| Engineering Manager | $185,000 | $195,000 | -5% |
New York Offers Better Purchasing Power
New York has a purchasing power index of 100 compared to 90 for Los Angeles. Despite potentially higher costs, making it a stronger choice from a pure economic standpoint. It's also a top tech hub (score: 9/10).
Common Questions
Based on cost of living indices, Los Angeles (90) is less expensive compared to New York (100), where NYC = 100.
To maintain the same standard of living, you would need approximately $111,000 in New York to match $100,000 in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles has a tech hub score of 8/10 while New York scores 9/10. New York generally offers more tech opportunities.
Based on purchasing power, New York offers better value. This accounts for both salary levels and cost of living.
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Last updated: 2026-02-19 | Data sources: Numbeo, OECD, Glassdoor, and local government statistics.