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Los Angeles vs Seattle: prices, pay and housing
| Los Angeles, CA | Seattle, WA | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 113.6 | 111.1 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $77,270 | $91,790 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $55,850 | $72,610 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $68,040 | $82,595 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $60,080 | $73,404 |
| Typical home value | $968,608 | $750,279 |
| Median household income | $93,525 | $112,594 |
| Home price / household income | 10.4 | 6.7 |
| Metro population | 13,012,469 | 4,021,467 |
*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 Seattle
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Los Angeles to Seattle, multiply your salary by 0.979.
| Salary in Los Angeles | Same buying power in Seattle |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Los Angeles | $48,929 in Seattle |
| $75,000 in Los Angeles | $73,393 in Seattle |
| $100,000 in Los Angeles | $97,858 in Seattle |
| $150,000 in Los Angeles | $146,786 in Seattle |
| $200,000 in Los Angeles | $195,715 in Seattle |
Salaries for common jobs in Los Angeles and Seattle
| Job | Los Angeles | Seattle | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developers | $161,900 | $174,920 | $142,560 / $157,397 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $35,890 | $49,500 | $31,603 / $44,541 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $41,080 | $42,260 | $36,173 / $38,027 |
| Retail Salespersons | $43,010 | $45,020 | $37,872 / $40,510 |
| Registered Nurses | $140,370 | $126,390 | $123,602 / $113,729 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $98,460 | $110,050 | $86,698 / $99,025 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $42,400 | $47,470 | $37,335 / $42,715 |
| Cashiers | $39,550 | $44,720 | $34,826 / $40,240 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,070 | $49,650 | $38,806 / $44,676 |
| General and Operations Managers | $157,110 | $169,740 | $138,342 / $152,736 |
| Office Clerks, General | $50,980 | $56,470 | $44,890 / $50,813 |
| Project Management Specialists | $120,110 | $133,590 | $105,762 / $120,207 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $43,050 | $49,380 | $37,907 / $44,433 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $42,640 | $62,940 | $37,546 / $56,635 |
| Customer Service Representatives | $53,500 | $56,350 | $47,109 / $50,705 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
More cost of living comparisons
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Los Angeles vs Seattle: questions
Is Los Angeles more expensive than Seattle?
Yes. BEA prices are 113.6 in Los Angeles, CA and 111.1 in Seattle, WA (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in Seattle to match $100,000 in Los Angeles?
About $97,858, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Los Angeles or Seattle?
Seattle, WA: 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.