salaryRent is higher than in 86% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 8.8 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Most households rent (80%), so there are plenty of rental options. It is a highly educated city: 64.2% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $101,560 a year. That is $49 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 396 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in West Hollywood?
Share of households by yearly income. 37.4% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in West Hollywood
| Size | West Hollywood | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,840 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,111 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,693 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is West Hollywood overall?
Everyday prices in California overall are 11% above the U.S. average (index 110.7, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for West Hollywood, so the California figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in West Hollywood
Life in West Hollywood
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in West Hollywood?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $3,878 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $924,800 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $92,480 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in West Hollywood, CA?
Renting in West Hollywood costs a median of about $2,539 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in West Hollywood?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $101,560 a year, or $49 an hour at a full-time job.
Is West Hollywood cheap or expensive?
West Hollywood is rated OK: rent takes 29.1% of the typical household income of $104,609. It ranks 396th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in West Hollywood?
The median homeowner in West Hollywood pays $7,286 a year in property taxes, about 0.79% of the median home value.
Is West Hollywood more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in California are 11% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in West Hollywood?
The median home value in West Hollywood is $924,800, about 8.8 times the typical yearly household income.
34,884 people live in West Hollywood. Numbers are typical (middle) values.