Cost of Living: New York vs Los Angeles
Purchasing Power Parity: how far does your salary go in New York compared to Los Angeles?
In New York, a salary of $100,000 is equivalent to about $79K in Los Angeles. That means Los Angeles offers 21% 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
$79K
To maintain the same standard of living, you'd need $79K in Los Angeles vs $100K in New York
New York
100
Cost of Living Index (NYC = 100)
Los Angeles
78.6
Cost of Living Index (NYC = 100)
How They Compare
Los Angeles is 21% cheaper than New York
What Top Roles Earn Here
Real salary data for roles with earnings data in both New York and Los Angeles, adjusted for cost of living.
| Role | New York median | Los Angeles median | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| AI Engineer | $170K | $157K | New York wins by 18% |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $175K | $136K | roughly equal |
| Data Scientists | $170K | $119K | Los Angeles wins by 11% |
| Lawyers | $257K | $245K | New York wins by 21% |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $111K | $73K | Los Angeles wins by 16% |
Salary data from public records. Adjusted for cost of living using PPP ratio (0.79x). 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 New York vs Los Angeles?
A: New York is approximately 21% more expensive than Los Angeles, based on Numbeo cost of living indices. A salary of $100,000 in Los Angeles is equivalent to about $79K in New York. However, actual costs vary by lifestyle, housing choices, and tax situation.
Q:What salary do I need in New York to match $100,000 in Los Angeles?
A: To maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Los Angeles, you would need approximately $79K in New York. 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 New York and Los Angeles?
A: Based on 5 roles with salary data in both cities, New York wins by 18% when adjusted for cost of living. See the role comparison table below for detailed breakdowns with links to full salary pages.