Los Angeles downtown skyline
December 13, 2020 Posted in City Guides
Blake Shaw

Bostonian and residential moving and packing expert. Blake Shaw enjoys bar-hopping, music, and writing insightful content.

Everything You Need to Know About the Cost of Living in Los Angeles California

Settling in the largest California city means you’ll be staying in the entertainment capital of the world, whose annual GDP is larger than the one of Switzerland and Saudi Arabia. However, before becoming a resident, go over the cost of living in Los Angeles and calculate how much money you should earn to cover housing expenses, utilities, and groceries.

A woman saving money for cross-country moving When you know how much money you'll need it will be easier to adjust

Moving to Los Angeles will put you in an area with 292 sunny days a year and in the vicinity of a 75-mile long coastline. Additionally, you’ll have access to more than 100 museums, 220 theaters, and countless restaurants. Becoming Angeleno means you’ll never be bored. However, if you want to have a stress-free relocation before packing the bags, go over the questions like Is it expensive to live in Los Angeles? and How much do you need to live comfortably in Los Angeles?

Is It Expensive to Live in Los Angeles Compared to Other Major Cities in the US

When moving interstate, you should know that one of the best ways to avoid being overwhelmed is to thoroughly research all of your options. Give yourself enough time to make sure you picked the right location to relocate to. If you have some doubts about settling in LA, compare it with other popular destinations, and you will see how becoming Angeleno in 2021 comes with many benefits.

Cost of Living in Los Angeles vs San Francisco – Which California City Is More Expensive

When looking for a new home, you’ll stumble upon two coastal California cities with vast entertainment, education, and employment opportunities. Choosing between LA and San Francisco will depend not only on your preferences but also on the budget. Relocating to San Francisco will put you in one of the most liberal places in the world but also one of the priciest ones. Data from the website Numbeo shows that the overall cost of living in San Francisco is higher than in LA.

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Cost of Living in San Diego vs Los Angeles – Where Would You Earn More

There are many fun things to do in San Diego and that might attract you to this CA metropolis. Furthermore, if you are pursuing a job and considering relocating to San Diego, know that the salaries there are almost the same as in LA. However, a variety of employment options rules in favor of LA, whose economy is driven by entertainment, tech, fashion, international trade, and tourism.

Cost of Living in Seattle vs Los Angeles – Which Is More Affordable

Are you looking for one of the best cities to raise a family in the US? Maybe you heard that Seattle public schools are top-rated, and that’s why you are considering it as your next destination. If having a good education is one of your top priorities, you have other, more affordable options besides relocating to Seattle. LA is among the best cities to raise a family in California, and here you will spend around 40% less on preschool than you would in Seattle. Furthermore, if you become Angeleno, you’ll save up on utilities and fitness as well.

Cost of Living in Los Angeles vs New York – Where Would You Need More Money to Live

Have you considered one of five boroughs of New York City as your next destination? Even though there are many things to do in New York, becoming a resident comes with a price. Not only that, the rent is higher, but also you will need more money for utilities and groceries if you choose to become a New Yorker.

If you are still torn about which metropolis to pick, we made a table that will make your decision easier. Check out how prices of education, housing, and utilities, as well as salaries, vary depending on the location you choose. (data from website Numbeo)

City Private Preschool Monthly Cost Utilities Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Monthly Rent for One Bedroom Apartment
Los Angeles $1,060 $160 $540 $1,680
New York City $2,570 $150 $715 $2,020

How Do the Housing Prices Affect the Cost of Living in Los Angeles California

When it comes to moving state to state, putting a roof over your head is one of the most important things you should think about. That being said, before applying many house-hunting tips, you should go over your relocation budget and see what kind of home you can afford with your savings.

Since you choose to settle in LA, be prepared for somewhat high housing prices. Have you decided to rent or buy a place? According to the website Niche, roughly 37% of residents own a residence, and the median home value in LA is $599,700. Furthermore, if you opt for renting like 63% of Angelenos, know that the median rent is $1,380 per month. Don’t let these numbers intimidate you. There is always a workaround and a way to save up, you just have to find some of the most affordable places to live in Los Angeles and relocate there.

What Are the Places With Budget-Friendly Renting Prices in LA

You will be relocating to a big city, so no matter your reasons for the move, there will be plenty of places where you can settle in that fit your needs. However, if you are on a tight budget, check out these affordable renters locations across LA:

  • Koreatown – as a diverse location that transformed into one of the best places to live in Los Angeles for singles, Koreatown offers trendy nightlife, a variety of dining options as well as reasonably priced apartments. According to Niche, 92% of residents are on the lease, and the median rent price is $1,230.
  • Atwater Village – if you are looking for one of the best suburbs of Los Angeles to settle in, and at the same time save up, Atwater Village is the answer. Its vicinity to Griffith Park makes it a great location for nature lovers and people relocating with dogs.
  • Montecito Heights – is a small district known for being a family-friendly spot with a country-like vibe. That’s why if you are relocating with kids, you will probably want to know how safe is your neighborhood. Don’t worry, Montecito Heights is a safe Los Angeles neighborhood, but it is also an affordable one. Here you can find historic homes, as well as more modernly designed properties, and the median rent is $1,360 a month.
LA suburbs Compare, and research before choosing a spot to live in 2021

What Are Other Costs You Should Think About When Moving Cross Country

All in all, settling in LA will bring you plenty of opportunities but also many expenses. When you find a home and put those costs down on a paper, you should think about transportation, healthcare, and entertainment as well.

LA is huge, so getting from one area to another will require you to either use a car or public transportation. Those who plan to drive in LA should know that the price of gas is $3.70 a gallon. However, if you want to use public transportation, you’ll need $100 for a monthly pass.

When it comes to healthcare, a short visit to a private doctor will set you back for roughly $120. Cold meds like Tylenol are $8, while antibiotics are around $20. Even though healthcare is 10% pricier than the national average, you’ll have access to some top-notch medical institutions.

Furthermore, if you are relocating to LA alone and want to make friends, the bar-hopping is the way to go. Grabbing a beer will knock $8 out of your pocket while having a coffee will set you back for $5. Also, movie lovers should know that two tickets are roughly $30 while going to a theater will set you back for $125 per ticket.

What Are the Costs of Utilities and Groceries in LA

No matter where you go, some expenses are just unavoidable. When it comes to basic utilities like electricity, water, garbage, heating, and cooling, as a resident of LA, you should be expected to pay around $140. On top of that, you’ll need an additional $65 for unlimited internet data.

The next thing to think about is food. When getting groceries and cooking by yourself, you should still expect to spend more than the national average. Additionally, if you plan on taking advantage of a vibrant food scene that has everything from food trucks to upscale restaurants, expect that your monthly food budget increases. However, you can work your way around this by redeeming coupons and utilizing different deals restaurants have to offer. A meal in an inexpensive diner in LA is roughly $20, while a three-course lunch for two people in a mid-range restaurant is around $75.

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Los Angeles

When it comes to interstate moving, you need to think about many things, and one of them is how to get a job in another state before moving there. Luckily you chose to settle in LA, a metropolis ranked as one of the most competitive financial centers in the US, according to the Global Financial Centres Index.

If you are still wondering how to get a job before you move, just send a few resumes to companies you would like to work for. LA is home to many national and international headquarters that are constantly looking for talent. However, if you have one of those jobs that require relocation, half of your problem is solved. Now all that’s left is to figure out How much do you need to live comfortably in Los Angeles.

Are you wondering Is 70000 a good salary in Los Angeles? According to a study done by a finance site GOBankingRates an average Angeleno needs around $74,400 a year to live comfortably. This includes all the expenses plus the savings, and the amount will vary depending on your lifestyle, needs, and desires.

When you know how much you should earn, it will be easy to negotiate your paycheck. Luckily, data from the website PayScale shows that the wage in LA is $76,000 per year, which is almost 43% higher than the national average.

A person holding a wallet When looking for work in 2021, you should negotiate your salary and get the best offer possible

What Are the Average Costs of Hiring a Cross Country Moving Company to Help You Relocate

Those that want to avoid the moving stress that comes with every relocation should consider hiring long-distance movers to help them. With the help of professionals that offer cross country moving as well as packing services. When Los Angeles cross country movers take over the grunt work, you won’t have to worry about things like packing fragile items nor boxing up the furniture for moving.

Furthermore, reliable professionals offer additional relocation services you can take advantage of, such as car shipping and storage service. However, all of these come with the price you have to think about when creating a relocation budget. Data from the website WorldFreightRates shows that if you are relocating from New York City to LA, you’ll be expected to pay roughly $750. Keep in mind that the prices will vary depending on a long-distance moving company you hire, the amount of stuff you have, and the location.

CCMC mover Use a calculator to figure out how much money you need to hire movers

Is Becoming Angeleno Worth the Trouble of Moving Across the Country

You are already thinking about relocating, so what is stopping you from calling the state-to-state movers to help you finally pack up your bags and move? Becoming Angeleno comes with a long list of benefits. Not only will you stay in a movie-like, sun-kissed place, but you’ll also have access to plenty of different employment opportunities. From tech and telecommunications to fashion and entertainment, LA has it all.

With paychecks higher than the national average, it will be easy to find a home and cover all the bills while still having some money left to put in savings. That’s why you shouldn’t hesitate to head out to LA and see for yourself why this is the place where dreams are made into reality.

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