Los Angeles vs New York City
Side-by-side comparison of cost of living, state income tax, housing estimates, and salary equivalents between Los Angeles, CA and New York City, NY.
Los Angeles, CA
COL Index
166
Monthly Budget
$8,300
State Tax
12.3%
Population
4.0M
New York City, NY
COL Index
187
Monthly Budget
$9,350
State Tax
10.9%
Population
8.3M
Los Angeles is 13% less expensive than New York City
Monthly Cost Breakdown
Estimated monthly costs for a typical household in each city.
| Category | Los Angeles | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $3,283 | $3,803 | -$520 |
| Groceries | $993 | $1,102 | -$109 |
| Transport | $1,275 | $1,426 | -$151 |
| Healthcare | $585 | $644 | -$59 |
| Utilities | $498 | $561 | -$63 |
| Other | $1,834 | $2,035 | -$201 |
| Total | $8,300 | $9,350 | -$1,050 |
Tax Comparison on $100K Salary
Estimated annual taxes for a single filer earning $100,000 in each city.
| Component | Los Angeles (CA) | New York City (NY) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Tax | $13,170 | $13,170 | $0 |
| State Tax | $5,953 | $5,714 | +$239 |
| FICA | $7,650 | $7,650 | $0 |
| Total Tax | $26,773 | $26,534 | +$239 |
| Take-Home Pay | $73,227 | $73,466 | -$239 |
Salary Equivalent
What a Los Angeles salary is worth in New York City (and vice versa), adjusted for cost of living.
| Los Angeles Salary | Equivalent in New York City | New York City Salary | Equivalent in Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $56,325 | $50,000 | $44,385 |
| $75,000 | $84,488 | $75,000 | $66,578 |
| $100,000 | $112,651 | $100,000 | $88,770 |
| $150,000 | $168,976 | $150,000 | $133,155 |