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