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Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA

Cost of living in Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles County, CA

Part of the Los Angeles Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$4,135/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 9,848,406 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $2,081 50%
Federal tax $547 13%
Healthcare $480 12%
Groceries $397 10%
Transport $250 6%
Energy $217 5%
State tax $103 2%
Water $60 1%

Rent in Los Angeles

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,856
per month
1 bedroom
$2,081
per month
2 bedroom
$2,625
per month
3 bedroom
$3,335
per month
4 bedroom
$3,698
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Los Angeles

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$87,760
per year
Individual earnings
$43,477
per year
Per capita
$44,319
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Los Angeles

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$783,300
Annual property tax
$5,438

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Los Angeles

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$167
per month · 30.4¢/kWh
Natural gas
$50
per month
Annual total
$2,604
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Los Angeles

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
8.7%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Los Angeles

State and local tax rates for California.

State income tax
13.3%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
7.3%
Combined sales tax
8.8%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Los Angeles

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
30.8 min
Drive alone
66.4%
Public transit
4.2%
Work from home
15.2%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Los Angeles

What it costs to live in Los Angeles each month.

Single person
$4,135
per month
  • Rent $2,081
  • Energy $217
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $397
  • Transport $250
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $547
  • State tax $103
Couple
$6,334
per month
  • Rent $2,625
  • Energy $260
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $658
  • Transport $350
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $1,106
  • State tax $401
Family
$9,251
per month
  • Rent $3,335
  • Energy $326
  • Water $85
  • Groceries $998
  • Transport $450
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $1,106
  • State tax $401

Frequently asked questions about Los Angeles

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Los Angeles?

In Los Angeles, California, a one-bedroom apartment averages $2,081 per month, a two-bedroom averages $2,625 per month, a three-bedroom averages $3,335 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Los Angeles?

In Los Angeles, California, the average household income is $87,760 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $43,477 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Los Angeles?

The estimated cost of living in Los Angeles, California is approximately $4,135 per month for a single person, $6,334 for a couple, $9,251 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Los Angeles?

The combined sales tax rate in Los Angeles, California is 8.85%, which includes the California state rate of 7.25% plus an average local rate of 1.60%.

Is Los Angeles an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Los Angeles, California would need approximately $4,135 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $87,760 per year ($7,313 per month). Los Angeles has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Los Angeles?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Los Angeles, California is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 8.7% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Los Angeles?

The average home value in Los Angeles, California is $783,300, with average annual property taxes of $5,438, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Los Angeles compare to other areas?

You can compare Los Angeles, California with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Los Angeles is in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area.

Other counties in California

Browse the full list of counties in California, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in California

Compare Los Angeles with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources