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Los Angeles vs New York: prices, pay and housing
| Los Angeles, CA | New York, NY | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 113.6 | 112.6 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $77,270 | $86,310 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $55,850 | $61,430 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $68,040 | $76,677 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $60,080 | $65,407 |
| Typical home value | $968,608 | $727,625 |
| Median household income | $93,525 | $97,334 |
| Home price / household income | 10.4 | 7.5 |
| Metro population | 13,012,469 | 19,756,722 |
*Single filer, federal and state income tax and FICA (2026 rules); city income taxes included where we model them.
Compare with another city or state
Equivalent salary: Los Angeles to New York
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Los Angeles to New York, multiply your salary by 0.991.
| Salary in Los Angeles | Same buying power in New York |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Los Angeles | $49,558 in New York |
| $75,000 in Los Angeles | $74,338 in New York |
| $100,000 in Los Angeles | $99,117 in New York |
| $150,000 in Los Angeles | $148,675 in New York |
| $200,000 in Los Angeles | $198,234 in New York |
Salaries for common jobs in Los Angeles and New York
| Job | Los Angeles | New York | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $35,890 | $41,120 | $31,603 / $36,531 |
| Retail Salespersons | $43,010 | $43,950 | $37,872 / $39,045 |
| Registered Nurses | $140,370 | $119,600 | $123,602 / $106,252 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $43,050 | $45,520 | $37,907 / $40,440 |
| General and Operations Managers | $157,110 | $189,200 | $138,342 / $168,084 |
| Cashiers | $39,550 | $38,180 | $34,826 / $33,919 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $41,080 | $37,130 | $36,173 / $32,986 |
| Security Guards | $43,880 | $46,140 | $38,638 / $40,990 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $42,640 | $55,000 | $37,546 / $48,862 |
| Office Clerks, General | $50,980 | $50,080 | $44,890 / $44,491 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $42,400 | $42,380 | $37,335 / $37,650 |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $46,770 | $42,530 | $41,183 / $37,783 |
| Customer Service Representatives | $53,500 | $54,410 | $47,109 / $48,337 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $56,320 | $53,310 | $49,592 / $47,360 |
| Software Developers | $161,900 | $165,870 | $142,560 / $147,357 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
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Los Angeles vs New York: questions
Is Los Angeles more expensive than New York?
Yes. BEA prices are 113.6 in Los Angeles, CA and 112.6 in New York, NY (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in New York to match $100,000 in Los Angeles?
About $99,117, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Los Angeles or New York?
New York, NY: once prices are counted, its average salary buys more.
Sources and how to read this page
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas.
- Home values: Zillow Home Value Index; income and population: Census ACS 5-year 2023.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.