Philadelphia vs Los Angeles
Side-by-side comparison of cost of living, state income tax, housing estimates, and salary equivalents between Philadelphia, PA and Los Angeles, CA.
Philadelphia, PA
COL Index
102
Monthly Budget
$5,100
State Tax
3.1%
Population
1.6M
Los Angeles, CA
COL Index
166
Monthly Budget
$8,300
State Tax
12.3%
Population
4.0M
Philadelphia is 63% less expensive than Los Angeles
Monthly Cost Breakdown
Estimated monthly costs for a typical household in each city.
| Category | Philadelphia | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $1,700 | $3,283 | -$1,583 |
| Groceries | $660 | $993 | -$333 |
| Transport | $814 | $1,275 | -$461 |
| Healthcare | $406 | $585 | -$179 |
| Utilities | $306 | $498 | -$192 |
| Other | $1,219 | $1,834 | -$615 |
| Total | $5,100 | $8,300 | -$3,200 |
Tax Comparison on $100K Salary
Estimated annual taxes for a single filer earning $100,000 in each city.
| Component | Philadelphia (PA) | Los Angeles (CA) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Tax | $13,170 | $13,170 | $0 |
| State Tax | $3,070 | $5,953 | -$2,883 |
| FICA | $7,650 | $7,650 | $0 |
| Total Tax | $23,890 | $26,773 | -$2,883 |
| Take-Home Pay | $76,110 | $73,227 | +$2,883 |
Salary Equivalent
What a Philadelphia salary is worth in Los Angeles (and vice versa), adjusted for cost of living.
| Philadelphia Salary | Equivalent in Los Angeles | Los Angeles Salary | Equivalent in Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $81,373 | $50,000 | $30,723 |
| $75,000 | $122,059 | $75,000 | $46,084 |
| $100,000 | $162,745 | $100,000 | $61,446 |
| $150,000 | $244,118 | $150,000 | $92,169 |