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Home Moving tips How Much Does It Cost to Live in Los Angeles? – 2023

How Much Does It Cost to Live in Los Angeles?

Last updated on: December 12, 2022

What is the average cost of living in Los Angeles?

The average cost of living in Los Angeles is $3,886 per month.

Los Angeles is one of the largest cities in the United States with many nicknames such as The City of Angels, L.A., and La La Land. Thousands of new residents are moving to L.A. for a better lifestyle, however, it is no secret that Los Angeles is expensive. Although Los Angeles has a relatively strong job market, living a luxurious life in La La Land is not easy. You will find everything at a higher price tag in L.A than other areas of the United States. However, you can live in Los Angeles easily if you successfully budget. Read on to find out everything you need to know about the cost of living in Los Angeles!

(*Numbeo & osmon)

Cost of living in Los Angeles - 2023

Housing cost in Los Angeles

Los Angeles has a crazy housing market. The average price of a home is 250% higher than the U.S. average. It is known as one of the most expensive cities to buy a home in the U.S. due to the high demand for housing, its close access to the beach and the city’s easy-going lifestyle.

Below is the list of the housing costs rent in Los Angeles:

AREA	STUDIO	1 BEDROOM	2 BEDROOM	3 BEDROOM	4 BEDROOM
Playa Vista	$ 1,688	$ 2,358	$ 3,201	$ 4,266	$ 5,233
Venice	$ 1,685	$ 2,350	$ 3,202	$ 4,275	$ 5,255
Valley Village	$ 1,675	$ 2,350	$ 3,205	$ 4,300	$ 5,200
Van Nuys	$ 1,664	$ 2,386	$ 3,212	$ 4,354	$ 5,828
Studio City	$ 1,665	$ 2,390	$ 3,202	$ 4,355	$ 5,848

(*Numbeo & Bungalow)

Below is the list of the housing costs to buy an apartment in Los Angeles:

APARTMENT	PRICE PER SQUARE METER
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Center	$ 860.14
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Center	$ 546.63

(*Zumper)

AREA	MEDIAN COST
Playa Vista	$ 1,525,000
Venice	$ 2,112,500
Valley Village	$ 1,376,000
Van Nuys	$ 921,000
Studio City	$ 1,869,000

(*Los Angeles Almanac)

Since Los Angeles is a vast city, the home prices may vary depending on the location. The average price to purchase a house in Los Angeles is higher due to Hollywood.

What is the average rent cost for a 1-bedroom apartment in Los Angeles?

The median rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center is $2442.52 per month.

Utility cost in Los Angeles: Internet, electricity & water

Whether you own a house or pay the rent – you must cover the utility cost. However, the utility cost in Los Angeles is less costly than in the rest of the United States.

According to Numbeo data, the average basic utility package that includes heating, electricity, water, and garbage in Los Angeles is as follows below:

UTILITIES	COST PER MONTH
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment	$ 133.13
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)	$ 66.97

(*Bungalow & Numbeo)

You can also save on heating or air conditioning expenses due to the city’s lovely Mediterranean climate. In addition, homeowners have the option to install solar panels and can even get money back for generating extra energy.

What is the average cost of utilities in Los Angeles?

The average cost of utilities (Internet, electricity & water) in Los Angeles is $200 per month.

Grocery cost in Los Angeles

Grocery includes items such as fruits, vegetables, meat, eggs, milk, and others. Cost for some regular groceries that may averagely be purchased include:

The grocery cost in Los Angeles is relatively affordable, and the grocery is generally not taxed. The prices of everyday food products such as eggs, milk and bread are similar to what you find in the rest of the United States.

According to Numbeo data, the average grocery cost in Los Angeles is as follows:

GROCERY	COST
Milk (regular, (1 gallon)	$ 4.25
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb)	$ 3.41
Rice (white), (1 lb)	$2.67
Eggs (regular) (12)	$3.62
Local Cheese (1 lb)	$ 5.70
Chicken Filets (1 lb)	$ 5.65
Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)	$ 7.25
Apples (1 lb)	$ 1.87
Banana (1 lb)	$ 0.86
Oranges (1 lb)	$ 1.64
Tomato (1 lb)	$ 1.76
Potato (1 lb)	$1.22
Onion (1 lb)	$0.96
Lettuce (1 head)	$ 1.79
Water (1.5-liter bottle)	$ 2.01
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)	$ 12.00
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)	$ 2.97
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)	$ 3.58

(*Bungalow & Numbeo)

Note that the food costs may vary depending on your area.

What is the average cost of groceries for 1 person in Los Angeles?

The average cost of groceries per month for one person is $385.

Public transport in Los Angeles

The public transportation system in Los Angeles is convenient for those who live near transit lines, moving from city to city and many neighborhoods are not accessible by transit. According to a survey, 84% of Angelenos commute to work by driving and the rest use public transits. Also, the gas prices in Los Angeles city are the highest in the country.

According to Numbeo data, public transportation costs in Los Angeles are as follows:

TRANSPORTATION	COSTS
Metro (single ride)	$ 1.75
Metro (1 Day pass)	$ 3.50
Metro (7 Days pass)	$ 12.50
Metro (Per month)	$ 100.00
Express Buses (Per month)	$ 122.00
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)	$ 4.00
Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff)	$ 2.70
Gasoline (1 Gallon)	$ 6.06

(*Metro, Numbeo & Bungalow)

What is the LA Metro monthly pass price?

The LA Metro monthly pass price is $100 in 2022.

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Entertainment costs in Los Angeles

Los Angeles offers its residents a wealth of local activities and unique places to see, such as Theme Parks in the area of Disneyland, beaches, or espace games. According to Numbeo data, the entertainment costs in Los Angeles are as follows:

ENTERTAINMENT	COSTS
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant	$ 16.00
Taxi 1-hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)	$ 29.91
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat	$ 15.00

(*Numbeo)

What is the average cost of entertainment in Los Angeles?

The average cost of entertainment in Los Angeles is $61 per month.

Healthcare costs in Los Angeles

Healthcare is an essential expense. We should always include healthcare costs in our budgeting plan when moving to any place. The healthcare cost in Los Angeles is high; however, the costs vary among the wide selection of health plans.

The healthcare costs in Los Angeles are as follows:

HEALTHCARE	COST
Employer-Sponsored Healthcare for one person per month	$ 653
Employer-Sponsored Healthcare for a family per month	$ 1,717
Non-Employer-Sponsored Healthcare for one person	$ 456
Non-Employer-Sponsored Healthcare Couple with at least one child	$ 1,152
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult	$ 44.25

(* Numbeo, CHCF & eHealth Insurance)

What is the average cost of a gym membership in Los Angeles?

The average cost of a gym membership in Los Angeles is $44.25 per month.

Sales tax in Los Angeles

The sales tax in Los Angeles is 9.5%, and Los Angeles does not collect sales tax on certain food items such as eggs, milk, chicken, and cheese. Although, the city charges sales tax at health and fitness clubs, gymnasiums, and similar facilities.

(*SalesTaxHandbook)

Conclusion

Moving to Los Angeles is challenging because the cost of living in Los Angeles is high. Nevertheless, if rightly budgeted, you can live in Los Angeles in no time. If you plan on moving to Los Angeles, then you can calculate the average cost of living in the city using the provided table and finding the total sum which may vary from one person to another.

Average monthly cost of living in Los Angeles

Description

Cost

Housing

Average rent price for a 1 bedroom apartment (Manhattan Beach) + Employer-Sponsored Healthcare for one person + Average utilities cost

$2442.52 + $653 + $200.1

Transportation

Metro Pass (1 month)

$100.00

Groceries

Daily recommended minimum amount of money for food per person/ Regular grocery basket for one person

$12.83 x 30 days = $384.90

Entertainment (for 1 time only)

Meal Inexpensive restaurant + Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat + Taxi 1-hour Waiting

$16.00 + $29.91 + $15.00

Health and Fitness

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult

$44.25

Total

Sum

$3,885.68

Note: The cost mentioned above may vary; for instance, if you are living with someone, your cost will be considerably lower. Also, if you have a family, you will need to add the cost of each family member. The cost may also vary depending upon the area you select to live in.

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