Los Angeles vs New York Cost of Living

Los Angeles (United States) · Overall index 84.3New York (United States) · Overall index 100.0

Summary

  • Overall, New York is 19% more expensive than Los Angeles.
  • Rent in New York is 39% more expensive than in Los Angeles.
  • Dining out in New York is 16% more expensive than in Los Angeles.
ItemLos AngelesNew YorkDiff
Rent+39%
1-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$3,015$4,328+44%
1-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$2,094$2,796+34%
3-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$5,390$7,980+48%
3-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$3,727$4,915+32%
Groceries+12%
Milk (1L)$1.22$1.48+21%
White bread (500g)$4.23$4.03-5%
Rice (1kg)$5.36$5.54+3%
Eggs (12)$4.45$5.18+16%
Local cheese (1kg)$12.9$16.5+28%
Chicken fillets (1kg)$13.9$13.6-2%
Beef round (1kg)$19.4$22.8+18%
Apples (1kg)$5.63$6.73+20%
Bananas (1kg)$2.08$2.56+23%
Oranges (1kg)$4.73$5.31+12%
Tomatoes (1kg)$5.89$6.04+3%
Potatoes (1kg)$2.66$3.01+13%
Onions (1kg)$2.62$3.09+18%
Lettuce (1 head)$2.64$2.85+8%
Water (1.5L bottle)$2.4$2.81+17%
Bottle of wine (mid-range)$15.1$17+13%
Transport+10%
Public transport, one-way ticket$2.52$2.75+9%
Public transport, monthly pass$123$145+18%
Taxi, base fare$3.66$4.13+13%
Taxi, per km$1.93$2.06+7%
Gasoline (1L)$0.95$0.93-2%
New compact car (e.g., VW Golf)$24,629$29,178+18%
Dining out+16%
Meal, inexpensive restaurant$19.4$25.5+31%
Meal for 2, mid-range restaurant (3 courses)$120$140+17%
Fast food combo meal$10.6$12.7+20%
Cappuccino$5.3$5.58+5%
Coke/Pepsi (0.33L, restaurant)$2.52$3.23+28%
Domestic beer (0.5L, restaurant)$7.79$8.19+5%
Imported beer (0.33L, restaurant)$8.45$8.34-1%
Water (0.33L, restaurant)$1.83$2.48+36%
Telecom+12%
Mobile plan, calls + 10GB+ data (monthly)$53.8$64.2+19%
Broadband internet 60Mbps+ (monthly)$58.1$66.9+15%
Prepaid mobile tariff (1 min)$0.32$0.38+19%
Video streaming subscription (monthly)$15$14.9-1%
Utilities & household+5%
Basic utilities, 85m² apartment (monthly)$181$173-4%
Electricity (1 kWh)$0.24$0.25+4%
Tap water (1m³)$4.85$4.81-1%
Natural gas (1m³)$1.31$1.75+34%
Waste collection (monthly)$22.7$23.6+4%
Fitness club (monthly)$88.5$94.7+7%
Cinema ticket (1 seat)$16.8$16.6-1%
Men's haircut$30.7$36.8+20%
Domestic cleaning (1 hour)$27.9$25.1-10%
Private kindergarten (monthly)$2,276$2,473+9%

3,225 total data points · Price data as of 2026-07-01 · Exchange rates as of 2026-07-15

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