Performance
Score Breakdown
Barrie
Los Angeles
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Barrie is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
7% lower compared to Los Angeles.
Housing costs are a major driver: Barrie's average rent is
32% lower than Los Angeles's.
| Metric | Barrie | Los Angeles | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,810 | $2,656 | -32% |
| Groceries | $1,460 | $550 | +165% |
| Utilities | $259 | $320 | -19% |
| Transport | $91 | $150 | -39% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $200 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $3,620 | $3,876 | -7% |
| Cost Index | 112 | 152 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Los Angeles offers 95% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Los Angeles delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Barrie is estimated at
$5,425 vs $100,000 in Los Angeles.
| Metric | Barrie | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $3,480 | $75,000 |
| Salary Needed | $5,425 | $100,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 3,107 idx | 49,342 idx |
| Household Income | $67,000 | $90,757 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Barrie | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 69.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Barrie has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
16,000 minutes (267 hours) per year compared to Los Angeles.
Los Angeles scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Los Angeles leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Barrie | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 32 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 68.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 75.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Los Angeles is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Barrie is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Los Angeles has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Barrie | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 179,450 | 3,869,089 |
| Pop. Growth | 4.20% | % |
| Median Age | 37.0 | |
| Unemployment | 12.50% | 5.60% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $760.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Barrie
Advantages
Barrie was ranked as the second fastest-growing city in Canada in 2025, indicating strong population inflows.
The average home price in Barrie was $711,800 CAD in December 2025, which is more affordable than the Greater Toronto Area.
Barrie is recognized as a safe city, having been ranked among the safest in Canada with a low violent Crime Severity Index.
The Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) is undergoing a significant expansion, planning to double its size and build a new South Campus, enhancing healthcare access.
Barrie boasts over 350 hectares of park space, with 93% of residents having a park or green space close to their home.
Drawbacks
The unemployment rate in Barrie was 12.5% in 2024, which is higher than the national average.
The average rent in Barrie, at $1,810 USD per month as of June 2026, is comparable to the national median rent, indicating it's not significantly cheaper than other areas in Canada.
Food costs are projected to increase, with an average family of four expected to pay an estimated $994.63 CAD more for food in 2026 than in 2025.
Barrie's cost of living is 12% higher than the national average.
The city's rapid growth has led to a shortage of developable lands within its municipal boundary, posing challenges for future housing and employment needs.
Los Angeles
Advantages
Los Angeles boasts a diverse and robust economy, with strong sectors in healthcare, trade, and entertainment.
The city offers a vibrant cultural scene, including world-class museums, theaters, and a diverse culinary landscape.
Residents enjoy a Mediterranean climate with abundant sunshine and mild winters, ideal for outdoor activities.
Los Angeles is a global hub for innovation and technology, attracting talent and fostering new businesses.
The metropolitan area provides access to numerous educational institutions, from community colleges to top-tier universities.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Los Angeles is significantly higher than the national average, primarily driven by expensive housing.
Los Angeles experiences considerable traffic congestion, leading to long commute times and high car dependency.
Housing affordability remains a major challenge, with median home prices exceeding $1.0 million as of April 2026.
The city has experienced population decline in recent years, with Los Angeles County losing over 53,000 residents between July 2024 and July 2025.
The unemployment rate in Los Angeles County, at 5.6% in December 2025, is higher than the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Barrie
#4Ontario, Canada
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,810
Avg Salary
$3,480
Cost Index
112
Commute
min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
4.20%
Unemployment
12.50%
Livability
74
Business
68
Los Angeles
#8California, USA
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,656
Avg Salary
$75,000
Cost Index
152
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
50.0/10
Walkability
68.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.60%
Livability
80
Business
75
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Barrie and Los Angeles.
Open Cost Calculator