City Comparison
New York City vs Los Angeles
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Los Angeles scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
New York City
Los Angeles
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Los Angeles is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
35% lower than in New York City.
Housing costs are a major driver: New York City's average rent is
55% higher than Los Angeles's.
| Metric | New York City | Los Angeles | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $3,382 | $2,184 | +55% |
| Groceries | $520 | $450 | +16% |
| Utilities | $370 | $231 | +60% |
| Transport | $130 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $4,652 | $3,015 | +54% |
| Cost Index | 178 | 149 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
New York City offers 107% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, New York City delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in New York City is estimated at
$61,000 vs $61,558 in Los Angeles.
| Metric | New York City | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $100,877 | $48,651 |
| Salary Needed | $61,000 | $61,558 |
| Purchasing Power | 56,672 idx | 32,652 idx |
| Household Income | $80,483 | $81,939 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | New York City | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 63.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Los Angeles has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,500 minutes (108 hours) per year compared to New York City.
New York City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, New York City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | New York City | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 43 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 88.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 89.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 167.60 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | Low | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
New York City is the larger city
— approximately 2.2x the population of Los Angeles.
From a growth perspective, New York City is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, New York City has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | New York City | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,585,000 | 3,863,148 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 37.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.90% | 5.20% |
| GDP | $1,354.0B | $1,000.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
New York City
Advantages
New York City is the most linguistically diverse city globally, with an estimated 800 languages spoken.
The city boasts a world-class public transportation system, with a transit score of 88 and a walkability score of 89.
New York City's private sector employment reached a record high of 4.25 million jobs in December 2024.
Overall index crime in New York City saw a nearly 3% reduction in 2024, marking the second consecutive year of declines.
New York City is a global hub for finance, media, tech, healthcare, and tourism, offering unparalleled opportunities.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in New York City is 78% higher than the national average, making it one of the most expensive cities globally.
Median rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Manhattan reached $4,595 in April 2024.
The city experienced a population decline of 12,000 residents between June 2024 and July 2025.
New York City has a high traffic index of 167.6 and an average commute time of 43.34 minutes.
Housing affordability has reached a crisis due to high costs and a slow pace of new housing construction.
Los Angeles
Advantages
Los Angeles boasts a diverse and robust economy, particularly in entertainment, healthcare, and technology sectors, offering varied job opportunities.
The city enjoys a Mediterranean climate with abundant sunshine, making it ideal for outdoor activities year-round.
Healthcare quality is high, with major institutions like LA General Medical Center receiving top safety grades and exceeding state benchmarks.
Los Angeles is a global cultural hub, offering a rich array of arts, dining, and entertainment options.
Homicides in Los Angeles decreased by 19% in 2025 compared to 2024, marking the lowest number since 1966.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Los Angeles is significantly high, with housing expenses being 135% higher than the national average.
Los Angeles is a highly car-dependent city, leading to severe traffic congestion and long commute times, averaging 30 minutes.
The city's population is experiencing a slight annual decline, with a -0.15% growth rate projected for 2026.
Despite improvements, Los Angeles's safety score of 58/100 indicates a moderate crime rate, higher than the average U.S. city.
Utility costs in Los Angeles are 9% higher than the national average, adding to the overall expense of living.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
New York City
#584New York, USA
45.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$3,382
Avg Salary
$100,877
Cost Index
178
Commute
43 min
Transit Score
88.0/100
Walkability
89.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
70
Business
62
Los Angeles
#567California, USA
47.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,184
Avg Salary
$48,651
Cost Index
149
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
70
Business
75
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between New York City and Los Angeles.
Open Cost Calculator