The average cost of living in Los Angeles is $2,889.47 per month.
Los Angeles stands as one of the largest cities in the United States and goes by several nicknames, including The City of Angels, L.A., and La La Land. A significant number of new residents move to L.A. in pursuit of a better lifestyle. However, it’s no secret that Los Angeles comes with a high cost of living. While the city boasts a relatively robust job market, leading a luxurious life in La La Land can be quite challenging.
In Los Angeles, you’ll find that everything comes with higher prices compared to other areas of the United States. Nevertheless, it is possible to live comfortably in Los Angeles with effective budgeting. Continue reading to discover all the essential information about the cost of living in Los Angeles!
Cost of Living in Los Angeles, CA – 2024
Methodology
The main data collection source for this article is Numbeo and trusted city-related websites, including LA Metro and City of Los Angeles. The costs presented are estimates and pertain to an individual living alone on a monthly basis.
Housing costs in Los Angeles
Los Angeles has a crazy housing and real estate market. The average price of a home is much higher than the national 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.
Cost of rent in Los Angeles, CA
|
Area/Neighborhood |
1-bed apartment |
3-bed apartment |
|
Los Angeles (Outside of Center) |
$2,133.00 |
$3,732.35 |
Cost of buying a property in Los Angeles
|
Area/Neighborhood |
Average home price |
|
Los Angeles |
$916,727 |
Utility costs in Los Angeles: Internet, electricity and water
Whether you own a house or pay the rent – you must cover the utility costs. You can save on heating and air conditioning expenses due to L.A.’s lovely Mediterranean climate. In addition, homeowners have the option to install solar panels and can even get money back for generating extra energy.
According to Numbeo data, the average basic utility package that includes heating, electricity, water, and garbage, and Internet in Los Angeles is as follows below.
|
Utilities |
Cost |
|
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment |
$182.28 |
|
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) |
$70.67 |
|
Total |
$252.95 |
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Grocery costs in Los Angeles
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.
Typically, a single person in Los Angeles may spend around $282.24 monthly on groceries.
|
Grocery items in Los Angeles |
Cost |
|
Milk (regular), (1 gallon) |
$4.85 |
|
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb) |
$4.21 |
|
Rice (white) (1 lb) |
$2.61 |
|
Eggs (regular) (12) |
$5.74 |
|
Local Cheese (1 lb) |
$5.97 |
|
Chicken Fillets (1 lb) |
$6.68 |
|
Beef Round (1 lb) |
$8.18 |
|
Apples (1 lb) |
$2.38 |
|
Banana (1 lb) |
$0.86 |
|
Oranges (1 lb) |
$1.54 |
|
Tomato (1 lb) |
$2.34 |
|
Potato (1 lb) |
$1.43 |
|
Onion (1 lb) |
$1.04 |
|
Lettuce (1 head) |
$1.98 |
|
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) |
$14.99 |
|
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) |
$2.31 |
|
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) |
$3.47 |
Public transit in Los Angeles
The public transportation system in Los Angeles is convenient for those who live near transit lines. In fact, many neighborhoods are not accessible by transit. According to a survey, 84% of L.A. locals drive to work and the rest use public transit. This is surprising due to gas prices being so high in l.a.. The 30-day pass in Los Angeles has been discontinued due to the introduction of “fare capping.” However, you can achieve a similar monthly cost by purchasing four weekly passes, resulting in a total monthly expense of approximately $72.00.
|
Type of fare |
Rate |
|
Single ticket |
$1.75 |
|
Daily pass |
$5.00 |
|
Weekly pass |
$18.00 |
Entertainment costs in Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California offers its residents a wealth of local activities and unique places to see, such as Theme Parks in the area of Disneyland, beaches, or space games. According to Numbeo data, the entertainment costs in Los Angeles are as follows:
|
Entertainment in Los Angeles |
Cost |
|
Mid-range restaurant meal |
$50.00 |
|
Taxi 1h |
$29.00 |
|
1 cinema ticket |
$16.00 |
|
Total |
$95.00 |
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.
Sales Tax Handbook (Sept 2023)
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.
|
Type of healthcare |
Cost |
|
Employer-sponsored health insurance |
$101.03 |
|
Non-employer-sponsored health insurance (average cheapest) |
$213.75 |
|
Gym |
$54.28 |
Numbeo (Sept 2023) & EHealthInsurance (Oct 2023)
Conclusion
Moving to Los Angeles can be a daunting endeavor due to its high cost of living in the state of California. However, with careful budgeting, thriving in this vibrant city is entirely feasible. If you’re considering a move to Los Angeles, take a moment to review the following table, which outlines the average cost of living in the area.
|
Category |
Monthly cost |
|
1 bed apt rent outside city center |
$2,133.00 |
|
Groceries Numbeo’s grocery list ($70.56 multiplied by 4) |
$282.24 |
|
Utilities Electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage |
$182.28 |
|
Internet with 60 Mbps |
$70.67 |
|
Transit pass |
$72.00 |
|
Entertainment Meal, taxi, movie |
$95.00 |
|
Gym membership |
$54.28 |
|
Total |
$2,889.47 |
