salaryLos Angeles is the largest city in California that we track, with 3,857,897 residents. Rent is higher than in 86% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 10.9 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are long, about 31.1 minutes each way. Most households rent (64%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $91,200 a year. That is $44 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of California. It is number 377 of 655 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Los Angeles with other big cities
Compare Los Angeles to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Los Angeles?
Share of households by yearly income. 31.9% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Los Angeles
| Size | Los Angeles | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,468 | $1,185 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,688 | $1,180 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,148 | $1,338 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,489 | $1,500 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,792 | $1,861 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Los Angeles overall?
Everyday prices in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim metro area are 14% above the U.S. average (index 113.6, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Los Angeles
Life in Los Angeles
What jobs pay in Los Angeles
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $205,900 | 13.3% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $164,510 | 16.6% |
| Pharmacist | $158,450 | 17.3% |
| Physician Assistant | $156,210 | 17.5% |
| Software Developer | $155,330 | 17.6% |
| Registered Nurse | $133,440 | 20.5% |
| Operations Manager | $127,610 | 21.4% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $126,520 | 21.6% |
| Police Officer | $115,630 | 23.7% |
| Dental Hygienist | $106,480 | 25.7% |
| Civil Engineer | $105,290 | 26.0% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $100,580 | 27.2% |
| Firefighter | $99,210 | 27.6% |
| Accountant | $93,890 | 29.1% |
| Market Research Analyst | $79,620 | 34.4% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $76,290 | 35.9% |
| Electrician | $76,120 | 35.9% |
| Carpenter | $73,840 | 37.1% |
| Plumber | $65,110 | 42.0% |
| HVAC Technician | $64,820 | 42.2% |
| Truck Driver | $59,560 | 45.9% |
| Customer Service Representative | $47,370 | 57.8% |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,140 | 59.3% |
| Medical Assistant | $46,000 | 59.5% |
| Restaurant Cook | $44,700 | 61.2% |
| Warehouse Worker | $39,200 | 69.8% |
| Retail Salesperson | $36,580 | 74.8% |
| Cashier | $36,120 | 75.7% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $35,060 | 78.0% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Los Angeles?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $3,823 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $879,500 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $87,950 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Los Angeles, CA?
People who moved into a rental in Los Angeles since 2021 pay a median of $2,280 a month, including utilities. The California median is $2,152.
How much do I need to make to live in Los Angeles?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $91,200 a year, or $44 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Los Angeles cheap or expensive?
Los Angeles is rated Expensive: rent takes 34.0% of the typical household income of $80,366. It ranks 377th cheapest of 655 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Los Angeles?
The median homeowner in Los Angeles pays $5,773 a year in property taxes, about 0.66% of the median home value.
Is Los Angeles more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 14% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Los Angeles?
The median home value in Los Angeles is $879,500, about 10.9 times the typical yearly household income.
3,857,897 people live in Los Angeles. Numbers are typical (middle) values.