Is Los Angeles, CA cheaper than Philadelphia, PA?

Based on cost of living data, Los Angeles, CA is 71.2% more expensive than Philadelphia, PA. This translates to spending an extra $5343 per month.

What salary do I need in Los Angeles, CA to live like I do in Philadelphia, PA?

If you earn $150,000 in Philadelphia, PA, you'd need approximately $214,120.553 in Los Angeles, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Philadelphia, PA and Los Angeles, CA?

Housing in Los Angeles, CA is 235.1% more expensive than in Philadelphia, PA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $2,660/month in Los Angeles, CA compared to $1,660/month in Philadelphia, PA.

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

Living in Los Angeles, CA costs approximately $5343 more per month than Philadelphia, PA, or $64121 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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Philadelphia, PA

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Los Angeles, CA

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Philadelphia, PA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $5.3K/month more in Los Angeles, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $214.1K in Los Angeles, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD area

Overall Cost

↑ 71.2%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$5,343

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$64.1K

Per year

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

Philadelphia, PA

Population:1584K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$241K

Los Angeles, CA

Population:3899K

Cost Index:171

Median Home:$885K

Philadelphia, PA

The Keystone State

1.6M

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Birthplace of America
•Cheesesteak city
•Major East Coast hub

Major Industries

HealthcareEducationFinanceManufacturing

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: Philadelphia, PA vs Los Angeles, CA

Category	Philadelphia, PA	Los Angeles, CA	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,313/mo	$7,749/mo	↑ $5,437more	235.1%
🚗Transportation	$1,421/mo	$2,158/mo	↑ $738more	51.9%
🛒Groceries	$1,104/mo	$1,040/mo	↓ $63.95less	5.8%
🏥Healthcare	$607/mo	$554/mo	↓ $53.28less	8.8%
⚡All Utilities	$607/mo	$557/mo	↓ $49.18less	8.1%
📦Other	$1,774/mo	$1,731/mo	↓ $43.52less	2.5%

🏠Housing

↑ 235.1%

Philadelphia, PA

$2,313

Los Angeles, CA

$7,749

Difference

$5,437

🚗Transportation

↑ 51.9%

Philadelphia, PA

$1,421

Los Angeles, CA

$2,158

Difference

$738

🛒Groceries

↓ 5.8%

Philadelphia, PA

$1,104

Los Angeles, CA

$1,040

Difference

$63.95

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 8.8%

Philadelphia, PA

$607

Los Angeles, CA

$554

Difference

$53.28

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 8.1%

Philadelphia, PA

$607

Los Angeles, CA

$557

Difference

$49.18

less

📦Other

↓ 2.5%

Philadelphia, PA

$1,774

Los Angeles, CA

$1,731

Difference

$43.52

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Philadelphia, PA: Philadelphia Wage Tax (resident)$5,625/yr (3.8%)

Los Angeles, CA has no local income tax.

Local taxes are in addition to state income tax. Not all cities levy local income taxes.

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,280

To$1,910

↑ $630

1 Bed

From$1,390

To$2,135

↑ $745

2 Bed

From$1,660

To$2,660

↑ $1,000

3 Bed

From$1,990

To$3,370

↑ $1,380

Philadelphia, PAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,080–$2,280/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.

$7,826

Monthly in Philadelphia, PA

$13,790

Monthly in Los Angeles, CA

$5,964

Difference

Home Values

Philadelphia

Los Angeles

$241K

Median Value

$885K

↑ +2.8%

YoY Change

↓ -3.4%

↑ +9%

5-Year Change

↑ +13.1%

$71K - $855K

Price Range

$531K - $3.01M

Homes in Los Angeles are 268% more expensive than Philadelphia

Calculate payment - Philadelphia Calculate payment - Los Angeles

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $6.0K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$502

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

4.0%

Rate difference

Philadelphia, PA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Pennsylvania State Tax

Effective: 3.1%

$4.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 27.7%

$41.6K

Take-Home Pay

$9,032/month

$108.4K

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

Philadelphia, PA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.5%

Property Tax:1.4%

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.