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Cost of Living in Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California, United States · Population 11,984,083

▲ +23% vs United States average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)$1,635
Couple, monthly$2,994
Family of four, monthly$3,959

Estimated Prices in Los Angeles

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant$14.40per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-range$57.60per meal
Cappuccino$4.32each
Monthly groceries (single person)$326per month
Monthly public transport pass$52.80per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment$139per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)$40.32per month
Fitness club membership$40.32per month
Cinema ticket$10.56each
One-bedroom apartment in city centre$971per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centre$675per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre$2,026per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Los Angeles is $4,992 per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of $1,635 with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly $2,126 per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre ($675) represents about 41% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Los Angeles

Los Angeles vs New YorkLos Angeles vs ChicagoLos Angeles vs MiamiLos Angeles vs HoustonLos Angeles vs DallasLos Angeles vs Philadelphia

Nearby Cities

Beverly Hills

4 km away · California

West Hollywood

4 km away · California

Burbank

11 km away · California

Culver City

12 km away · California

Santa Monica

12 km away · California

View Park-Windsor Hills

14 km away · California

Marina del Rey

16 km away · California

Glendale

17 km away · California

Other Major Cities in United States

New York

New York · pop. 19,268,388

$1,664 / mo

Chicago

Illinois · pop. 8,609,571

$1,635 / mo

Miami

Florida · pop. 6,391,670

$1,635 / mo

Houston

Texas · pop. 6,227,666

$1,635 / mo

Dallas

Texas · pop. 5,968,322

$1,635 / mo

Philadelphia

Pennsylvania · pop. 5,782,653

$1,635 / mo

Atlanta

Georgia · pop. 5,298,788

$1,635 / mo

Washington

District of Columbia · pop. 5,230,370

$1,635 / mo

Living in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is one of the key cities in United States. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is $1,635, placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around $675 per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to $3,959 per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately $2,994 monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Los Angeles is $4,992. To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least $2,126 per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Los Angeles expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated $1,635 per month in Los Angeles including rent outside the city centre. That is 23% more than the national average for United States.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Los Angeles?
A net salary of around $2,126 per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Los Angeles with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Los Angeles is $4,992.
How much is rent in Los Angeles?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated $971 per month in the city centre and $675 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $2,026.
Is Los Angeles cheaper than United States on average?
No — Los Angeles is estimated to be about 23% more expensive than the United States average, mainly due to housing demand.
What is the cost of groceries in Los Angeles?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at $326 in Los Angeles. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about $14 and a cappuccino runs around $4.
How do transport costs in Los Angeles compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Los Angeles is estimated at $53. Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Los Angeles are estimates based on United States national averages adjusted for city size (population 11,984,083). Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.