Is Los Angeles, CA cheaper than Washington, DC?

Based on cost of living data, Los Angeles, CA is 14.0% more expensive than Washington, DC. This translates to spending an extra $1051 per month.

What salary do I need in Los Angeles, CA to live like I do in Washington, DC?

If you earn $150,000 in Washington, DC, you'd need approximately $162,611.842 in Los Angeles, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Washington, DC and Los Angeles, CA?

Housing in Los Angeles, CA is 24.8% more expensive than in Washington, DC. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $2,660/month in Los Angeles, CA compared to $2,470/month in Washington, DC.

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

Living in Los Angeles, CA costs approximately $1051 more per month than Washington, DC, or $12612 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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Washington, DC

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Los Angeles, CA

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Washington, DC

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.1K/month more in Los Angeles, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $162.6K in Los Angeles, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV area

Overall Cost

↑ 14.0%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,051

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$12.6K

Per year

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

Washington, DC

Population:690K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$556K

Los Angeles, CA

Population:3899K

Cost Index:114

Median Home:$885K

Washington, DC

The District of Columbia

690K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Nations capital
•No voting representation in Congress
•Major international city

Major Industries

GovernmentProfessional ServicesTourismEducation

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: Washington, DC vs Los Angeles, CA

Category	Washington, DC	Los Angeles, CA	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$6,211/mo	$7,749/mo	↑ $1,538more	24.8%
🚗Transportation	$1,885/mo	$2,158/mo	↑ $273more	14.5%
📦Other	$1,825/mo	$1,731/mo	↓ $93.74less	5.1%
🏥Healthcare	$632/mo	$554/mo	↓ $78.07less	12.4%
⚡All Utilities	$508/mo	$557/mo	↑ $49.18more	9.7%
🛒Groceries	$1,079/mo	$1,040/mo	↓ $38.97less	3.6%

🏠Housing

↑ 24.8%

Washington, DC

$6,211

Los Angeles, CA

$7,749

Difference

$1,538

🚗Transportation

↑ 14.5%

Washington, DC

$1,885

Los Angeles, CA

$2,158

Difference

$273

📦Other

↓ 5.1%

Washington, DC

$1,825

Los Angeles, CA

$1,731

Difference

$93.74

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 12.4%

Washington, DC

$632

Los Angeles, CA

$554

Difference

$78.07

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 9.7%

Washington, DC

$508

Los Angeles, CA

$557

Difference

$49.18

🛒Groceries

↓ 3.6%

Washington, DC

$1,079

Los Angeles, CA

$1,040

Difference

$38.97

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$2,150

To$1,910

↓ $240

1 Bed

From$2,215

To$2,135

↓ $80.00

2 Bed

From$2,470

To$2,660

↑ $190

3 Bed

From$3,115

To$3,370

↑ $255

Washington, DCZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,340–$3,020/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.

$12,140

Monthly in Washington, DC

$13,790

Monthly in Los Angeles, CA

$1,650

Difference

Home Values

Washington

Los Angeles

$556K

Median Value

$885K

↓ -2.2%

YoY Change

↓ -3.4%

↓ -5.6%

5-Year Change

↑ +13.1%

$233K - $1.35M

Price Range

$531K - $3.01M

Homes in Los Angeles are 59% more expensive than Washington

Calculate payment - Washington Calculate payment - Los Angeles

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $524

Per year

Monthly Difference

$43.66

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.3%

Rate difference

Washington, DC

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

District of Columbia State Tax

Effective: 7.4%

$11.2K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 32.1%

$48.2K

Take-Home Pay

$8,486/month

$101.8K

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

Washington, DC Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.0%

Property Tax:0.6%

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.