Cost of Living: Boston vs Los Angeles
Purchasing Power Parity: how far does your salary go in Boston compared to Los Angeles?
In Boston, a salary of $100,000 is equivalent to about $95K in Los Angeles. That means Los Angeles offers 6% more spending power. Your money goes further in Los Angeles.
Based on Numbeo cost of living indices. Full methodology.
Salary Converter
Equivalent salary needed in Los Angeles
$95K
To maintain the same standard of living, you'd need $95K in Los Angeles vs $100K in Boston
Boston
83.1
Cost of Living Index (NYC = 100)
Los Angeles
78.6
Cost of Living Index (NYC = 100)
How They Compare
Los Angeles is 5% cheaper than Boston
What Top Roles Earn Here
Real salary data for roles with earnings data in both Boston and Los Angeles, adjusted for cost of living.
| Role | Boston median | Los Angeles median | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $153K | $157K | Los Angeles wins by 9% |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $71K | $79K | Los Angeles wins by 17% |
| Accountants and Auditors | $115K | $118K | Los Angeles wins by 9% |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $143K | $136K | roughly equal |
| Data Scientists | $114K | $119K | Los Angeles wins by 10% |
Salary data from public records. Adjusted for cost of living using PPP ratio (0.95x). Methodology.
See real salary data
Check actual public salaries for these cities on RoleHue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:How much more does it cost to live in Boston vs Los Angeles?
A: Boston is approximately 6% more expensive than Los Angeles, based on Numbeo cost of living indices. A salary of $100,000 in Los Angeles is equivalent to about $106K in Boston. However, actual costs vary by lifestyle, housing choices, and tax situation.
Q:What salary do I need in Boston to match $100,000 in Los Angeles?
A: To maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Los Angeles, you would need approximately $106K in Boston. This accounts for differences in housing, groceries, transportation, and other living expenses between the two cities.
Q:Are these cost of living differences accurate for everyone?
A: Cost of living indices provide a useful benchmark, but individual experiences vary by lifestyle, housing choices, and tax situation. The data comes from Numbeo's crowd-sourced cost of living database and reflects average spending patterns. Use the interactive calculator above to model your specific salary scenario.
Q:How do real salaries compare between Boston and Los Angeles?
A: Based on 5 roles with salary data in both cities, Los Angeles wins by 9% when adjusted for cost of living. See the role comparison table below for detailed breakdowns with links to full salary pages.
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