Living Cost Compare
Los Angeles

California

$2,010/mo est.

vs
Richmond

Virginia

$1,390/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 $1,390 in Richmond, VA. Overall, Richmond, VA is roughly 31% 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 $62,671 in Richmond, VA — about 22% higher in Los Angeles, CA. California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax; Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax.

Los Angeles, CA
Richmond, VA

Rent

Studio
$1,468
$1,183
+19% in Los Angeles, CA
1 Bedroom
$1,688
$1,195
+29% in Los Angeles, CA
2 Bedroom
$2,148
$1,374
+36% in Los Angeles, CA
3 Bedroom
$2,489
$1,447
+42% in Los Angeles, CA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$879,500
$328,100
+63% in Los Angeles, CA

Income

Median Household Income
$80,366
$62,671
+22% in Los Angeles, CA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$55,850
$51,460
+8% in Los Angeles, CA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
36.9 yr
34.5 yr
+2.4 yr in Los Angeles, CA
Homeownership
36.3%
43.5%
+7.2 pp in Richmond, VA
Bachelor's+ (25+)
37.8%
44.1%
+6.3 pp in Richmond, VA
Avg Commute
31.1 min
22.1 min
+9.0 min in Los Angeles, CA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
730.3
349
+52% in Los Angeles, CA
Property Crime
1,501.4
3,240.2
+116% in Richmond, VA

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
58.9°F
+8.1°F in Los Angeles, CA
Annual Precipitation
21.2 in
43.6 in
+22.4 in in Richmond, VA

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
17.6
+47% in Los Angeles, CA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$20.72
$23.66
+14% in Richmond, VA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.82
$4.00
+17% in Los Angeles, CA
Bread (lb)
$2.04
$1.75
+14% in Los Angeles, CA
Eggs (doz)
$2.19
$2.21
+1% in Richmond, VA
Ground Beef (lb)
$7.36
$6.45
+12% in Los Angeles, CA
Chicken (lb)
$2.01
$1.90
+6% in Los Angeles, CA
Bananas (lb)
$0.70
$0.62
+12% in Los Angeles, CA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CA / VA)
7.25%
5.3%
+2.0 pp in CA
Income Tax (top rate)
13.30%
5.75%
+7.6 pp in CA

Los Angeles vs Richmond — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Los Angeles or Richmond?
Richmond, VA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,390 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 31% 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 Richmond?
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 Richmond.
Which has lower taxes, Los Angeles or Richmond?
Los Angeles is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Richmond under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% 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).