Living Cost Compare
Los Angeles

California

$2,010/mo est.

vs
Providence

Rhode Island

$1,310/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 $1,310 in Providence, RI. Overall, Providence, RI is roughly 35% 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 $66,772 in Providence, RI — about 17% higher in Los Angeles, CA. California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax; Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax.

Los Angeles, CA
Providence, RI

Rent

Studio
$1,468
$1,116
+24% in Los Angeles, CA
1 Bedroom
$1,688
$1,030
+39% in Los Angeles, CA
2 Bedroom
$2,148
$1,323
+38% in Los Angeles, CA
3 Bedroom
$2,489
$1,627
+35% in Los Angeles, CA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$879,500
$322,800
+63% in Los Angeles, CA

Income

Median Household Income
$80,366
$66,772
+17% in Los Angeles, CA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$55,850
$53,680
+4% in Los Angeles, CA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
36.9 yr
32.9 yr
+4.0 yr in Los Angeles, CA
Homeownership
36.3%
41.2%
+4.9 pp in Providence, RI
Bachelor's+ (25+)
37.8%
34.7%
+3.1 pp in Los Angeles, CA
Avg Commute
31.1 min
25.0 min
+6.1 min in Los Angeles, CA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
730.3
282.4
+61% in Los Angeles, CA
Property Crime
1,501.4
1,665.6
+11% in Providence, RI

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
51.6°F
+15.4°F in Los Angeles, CA
Annual Precipitation
21.2 in
47.2 in
+25.9 in in Providence, RI

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$5.40/gal
$3.86/gal
+28% in Los Angeles, CA

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
$1.75
—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
33.3
29.5
+11% in Los Angeles, CA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$20.72
$16.06
+22% in Los Angeles, CA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.82
$4.31
+10% in Los Angeles, CA
Bread (lb)
$2.04
$1.92
+6% in Los Angeles, CA
Eggs (doz)
$2.19
$2.19
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$7.36
$6.90
+6% in Los Angeles, CA
Chicken (lb)
$2.01
$2.19
+9% in Providence, RI
Bananas (lb)
$0.70
$0.69
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CA / RI)
7.25%
7%
+0.3 pp in CA
Income Tax (top rate)
13.30%
5.99%
+7.3 pp in CA

Los Angeles vs Providence — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Los Angeles or Providence?
Providence, RI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,310 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 35% 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 Providence?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $68,000 a year in Los Angeles versus $41,000 in Providence.
Which has lower taxes, Los Angeles or Providence?
Los Angeles is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Providence under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% 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).