New York vs Los Angeles Cost of Living

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

Summary

  • Overall, Los Angeles is 16% cheaper than New York.
  • Rent in Los Angeles is 28% cheaper than in New York.
  • Dining out in Los Angeles is 14% cheaper than in New York.
ItemNew YorkLos AngelesDiff
Rent-28%
1-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$4,328$3,015-30%
1-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$2,796$2,094-25%
3-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$7,980$5,390-32%
3-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$4,915$3,727-24%
Groceries-11%
Milk (1L)$1.48$1.22-18%
White bread (500g)$4.03$4.23+5%
Rice (1kg)$5.54$5.36-3%
Eggs (12)$5.18$4.45-14%
Local cheese (1kg)$16.5$12.9-22%
Chicken fillets (1kg)$13.6$13.9+2%
Beef round (1kg)$22.8$19.4-15%
Apples (1kg)$6.73$5.63-16%
Bananas (1kg)$2.56$2.08-19%
Oranges (1kg)$5.31$4.73-11%
Tomatoes (1kg)$6.04$5.89-2%
Potatoes (1kg)$3.01$2.66-12%
Onions (1kg)$3.09$2.62-15%
Lettuce (1 head)$2.85$2.64-7%
Water (1.5L bottle)$2.81$2.4-15%
Bottle of wine (mid-range)$17$15.1-11%
Transport-9%
Public transport, one-way ticket$2.75$2.52-8%
Public transport, monthly pass$145$123-15%
Taxi, base fare$4.13$3.66-11%
Taxi, per km$2.06$1.93-6%
Gasoline (1L)$0.93$0.95+2%
New compact car (e.g., VW Golf)$29,178$24,629-16%
Dining out-14%
Meal, inexpensive restaurant$25.5$19.4-24%
Meal for 2, mid-range restaurant (3 courses)$140$120-14%
Fast food combo meal$12.7$10.6-17%
Cappuccino$5.58$5.3-5%
Coke/Pepsi (0.33L, restaurant)$3.23$2.52-22%
Domestic beer (0.5L, restaurant)$8.19$7.79-5%
Imported beer (0.33L, restaurant)$8.34$8.45+1%
Water (0.33L, restaurant)$2.48$1.83-26%
Telecom-11%
Mobile plan, calls + 10GB+ data (monthly)$64.2$53.8-16%
Broadband internet 60Mbps+ (monthly)$66.9$58.1-13%
Prepaid mobile tariff (1 min)$0.38$0.32-16%
Video streaming subscription (monthly)$14.9$15+1%
Utilities & household-5%
Basic utilities, 85m² apartment (monthly)$173$181+5%
Electricity (1 kWh)$0.25$0.24-4%
Tap water (1m³)$4.81$4.85+1%
Natural gas (1m³)$1.75$1.31-25%
Waste collection (monthly)$23.6$22.7-4%
Fitness club (monthly)$94.7$88.5-7%
Cinema ticket (1 seat)$16.6$16.8+1%
Men's haircut$36.8$30.7-17%
Domestic cleaning (1 hour)$25.1$27.9+11%
Private kindergarten (monthly)$2,473$2,276-8%

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

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