Cost of Living: New York, NY vs Los Angeles, CA (2026)

New York

New York
166
VS

Los Angeles

California
187

New York is 21% cheaper than Los Angeles.

$1,779/mo ↓ 5%
Median Rent
$1,879/mo ↑ 6%
$79,713/yr ≈ Same
Median Income
$80,366/yr ≈ Same
$751,700 ↓ 15%
Home Value
$879,500 ↑ 17%
$1,837/mo ↓ 11%
Owner Costs
$2,055/mo ↑ 12%
8,516,202
Population
3,857,897

Tax Comparison

10.9%
Income Tax
13.3%
4.0%
Sales Tax
7.25%
1.62%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
28.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing New York, NY and Los Angeles, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 166 and 187 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $100/month cheaper in New York, saving renters about $1,200/year.

Median household income is $653/year higher in Los Angeles. Home values also differ significantly — the median in New York is $751,700 compared to $879,500 in Los Angeles.

New York has a lower income tax rate, making New York slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

New York vs Los Angeles — common questions

Is New York or Los Angeles cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, New York is cheaper to live in with an index of 166 compared to 187 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between New York and Los Angeles?
Median rent in New York is $1,779/month and in Los Angeles it's $1,879/month — a difference of $100/month.
Which city has higher income, New York or Los Angeles?
Median household income is $79,713 in New York and $80,366 in Los Angeles. Median household income is $653/year higher in Los Angeles.
How do taxes compare between New York and California?
New York has 10.9% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 1.62% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to New York or Los Angeles?
It depends on your priorities. New York has a cost index of 166 with median rent of $1,779/mo, while Los Angeles has a cost index of 187 with rent of $1,879/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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