Living Cost Compare
Los Angeles

California

$2,010/mo est.

vs
Philadelphia

Pennsylvania

$1,400/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $2,010 in Los Angeles, CA versus $1,400 in Philadelphia, PA. Overall, Philadelphia, PA is roughly 30% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Los Angeles, CA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $80,366 in Los Angeles, CA and $60,698 in Philadelphia, PA — about 24% higher in Los Angeles, CA. California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax; Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax.

Los Angeles, CA
Philadelphia, PA

Rent

Studio
$1,468
$1,126
+23% in Los Angeles, CA
1 Bedroom
$1,688
$1,189
+30% in Los Angeles, CA
2 Bedroom
$2,148
$1,394
+35% in Los Angeles, CA
3 Bedroom
$2,489
$1,406
+44% in Los Angeles, CA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$879,500
$232,400
+74% in Los Angeles, CA

Income

Median Household Income
$80,366
$60,698
+24% in Los Angeles, CA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$55,850
$54,310
+3% in Los Angeles, CA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
36.9 yr
35.1 yr
+1.8 yr in Los Angeles, CA
Homeownership
36.3%
52.3%
+16.0 pp in Philadelphia, PA
Bachelor's+ (25+)
37.8%
34.6%
+3.2 pp in Los Angeles, CA
Avg Commute
31.1 min
32.0 min
+0.9 min in Philadelphia, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
730.5
916.8
+26% in Philadelphia, PA
Property Crime
1,501.2
4,614.3
+207% in Philadelphia, PA

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
67.0°F
57.1°F
+9.9°F in Los Angeles, CA
Annual Precipitation
21.2 in
48.5 in
+27.3 in in Philadelphia, PA

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$5.89/gal
$4.30/gal
+27% in Los Angeles, CA

Area: Los Angeles vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
$1.75
$2.50
+43% in Philadelphia, PA

Adult base one-way fare — LA Metro vs SEPTA (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
33.4
20.9
+37% in Los Angeles, CA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$20.72
$16.67
+20% in Los Angeles, CA

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.37
$4.14
+5% in Los Angeles, CA
Bread (lb)
$2.10
$1.92
+9% in Los Angeles, CA
Eggs (doz)
$2.25
$2.25
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$7.23
$6.90
+5% in Los Angeles, CA
Chicken (lb)
$2.14
$2.02
+5% in Los Angeles, CA
Bananas (lb)
$0.74
$0.68
+9% in Los Angeles, CA

Average prices — West vs Northeast (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CA / PA)
7.25%
6%
+1.3 pp in CA
Income Tax (top rate)
13.30%
3.07%
+10.2 pp in CA

Los Angeles vs Philadelphia — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Los Angeles or Philadelphia?
Philadelphia, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,400 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 30% below Los Angeles, CA's $2,010, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Los Angeles than in Philadelphia?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $68,000 a year in Los Angeles versus $48,000 in Philadelphia.
Which has lower taxes, Los Angeles or Philadelphia?
Los Angeles is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Philadelphia under Pennsylvania's (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).