Is Los Angeles, CA cheaper than Boston, MA?

Based on cost of living data, Los Angeles, CA is 16.3% more expensive than Boston, MA. This translates to spending an extra $1223 per month.

What salary do I need in Los Angeles, CA to live like I do in Boston, MA?

If you earn $150,000 in Boston, MA, you'd need approximately $164,677.852 in Los Angeles, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Boston, MA and Los Angeles, CA?

Housing in Los Angeles, CA is 46.9% more expensive than in Boston, MA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $2,660/month in Los Angeles, CA compared to $3,865/month in Boston, MA.

How much can I save per month by moving from Boston, MA to Los Angeles, CA?

Living in Los Angeles, CA costs approximately $1223 more per month than Boston, MA, or $14678 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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Boston, MA

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Los Angeles, CA

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Boston, MA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.2K/month more in Los Angeles, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $164.7K in Los Angeles, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH area

Overall Cost

↑ 16.3%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,223

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$14.7K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Boston, MA

Population:685K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$961K

Los Angeles, CA

Population:3899K

Cost Index:116

Median Home:$885K

Boston, MA

The Bay State

685K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Continental

Notable Facts

•Major education center
•Biotech capital
•Historic American city

Major Industries

EducationHealthcareTechnologyFinance

Los Angeles, CA

The Golden State

3.9M

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Mediterranean

Notable Facts

•Entertainment capital of the world
•Major Pacific Rim trade center
•Diverse metropolitan area

Major Industries

EntertainmentTechnologyInternational TradeTourism

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Boston, MA vs Los Angeles, CA

Category	Boston, MA	Los Angeles, CA	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$5,275/mo	$7,749/mo	↑ $2,474more	46.9%
🚗Transportation	$1,830/mo	$2,158/mo	↑ $328more	17.9%
🏥Healthcare	$743/mo	$554/mo	↓ $190less	25.5%
⚡All Utilities	$716/mo	$557/mo	↓ $158less	22.1%
📦Other	$1,825/mo	$1,731/mo	↓ $93.74less	5.1%
🛒Groceries	$1,079/mo	$1,040/mo	↓ $38.97less	3.6%

🏠Housing

↑ 46.9%

Boston, MA

$5,275

Los Angeles, CA

$7,749

Difference

$2,474

🚗Transportation

↑ 17.9%

Boston, MA

$1,830

Los Angeles, CA

$2,158

Difference

$328

🏥Healthcare

↓ 25.5%

Boston, MA

$743

Los Angeles, CA

$554

Difference

$190

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 22.1%

Boston, MA

$716

Los Angeles, CA

$557

Difference

$158

less

📦Other

↓ 5.1%

Boston, MA

$1,825

Los Angeles, CA

$1,731

Difference

$93.74

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 3.6%

Boston, MA

$1,079

Los Angeles, CA

$1,040

Difference

$38.97

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$3,095

To$1,910

↓ $1,185

1 Bed

From$3,255

To$2,135

↓ $1,120

2 Bed

From$3,865

To$2,660

↓ $1,205

3 Bed

From$4,630

To$3,370

↓ $1,260

Boston, MAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,560–$3,710/mo

Los Angeles, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,630–$3,130/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$11,469

Monthly in Boston, MA

$13,790

Monthly in Los Angeles, CA

$2,321

Difference

Home Values

Boston

Los Angeles

$961K

Median Value

$885K

↓ -0.7%

YoY Change

↓ -3.4%

↑ +7%

5-Year Change

↑ +13.1%

$709K - $3.40M

Price Range

$531K - $3.01M

Homes in Los Angeles are 8% less expensive than Boston

Calculate payment - Boston Calculate payment - Los Angeles

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $3.1K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$261

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

2.1%

Rate difference

Boston, MA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Massachusetts State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.5K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.7%

$44.5K

Take-Home Pay

$8,791/month

$105.5K

Los Angeles, CA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

California State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,530/month

$102.4K

Additional Tax Information

Boston, MA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.3%

Property Tax:1.2%

Los Angeles, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.